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UN to hold summit on addressing large movements of refugees, migrants

Xinhua, September 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

The United Nations(UN) is holding a summit on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants on Sept. 19 in New York, during which the UN General Assembly is expected to adopt a set of commitments to enhance the protection of migrants and refugees.

The UN refugee agency said here Tuesday that once adopted, these commitments -- which were agreed to on Aug. 2 -- would be known as the New York Declaration.

UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming said during a press briefing Tuesday that at a time when large-scale movements of refugees and migrants were challenging many countries, it was very significant that 194 member states of the UN were coming together to agree on a way forward to manage the challenges better.

"In the New York Declaration, governments are expected to acknowledge that the protection of refugees and assistance to host states is a shared international responsibility, and not to be borne by host countries alone, which will be a critical development," she noted.

She added the summit would begin with an opening plenary chaired by the UN Secretary General and statements from high-level UN officials, including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. Endit