Assistant Secretary Anne C. Richard Leads U.S. Delegation to the Executive Committee Meeting of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
September 26, 2014
Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration Anne C. Richard will travel to Geneva September 29 – October 2 to lead the U.S. delegation at the 65th session of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the principal international organization concerned with the protection of refugees and stateless persons worldwide.
Priority issues for the U.S. delegation include the continued enhancement of protection activities, particularly efforts to prevent gender-based violence, and strengthening international humanitarian coordination in the face of multiple crises. Assistant Secretary Richard will also hold high-level bilateral meetings with other government representatives as well as the senior leadership of Geneva-based international humanitarian organizations to discuss various humanitarian relief operations.
The United States is UNHCR’s largest donor, contributing to-date more than $1.2 billion in Fiscal Year 2014.
UNHCR’s Executive Committee meets in Geneva annually to review and approve the agency’s programs and budget, advise on international protection and discuss a wide range of other issues with UNHCR and its intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. The United States provides humanitarian assistance around the world through international organizations, such as UNHCR, and non-governmental organizations, as they respond to humanitarian crises, offering protection to refugees, and pursuing solutions for populations of concern.