Attachments
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS – HIGHLIGHTS
• In recent weeks, at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNHCR has drafted a Transition Plan for a domestic asylum framework in Egypt. This plan is designed to help develop the Government of Egypt's (GoE) asylum management system. To support this initiative, the Protection Working Group (PWG) has formed a task team within the Refugee Coordination Model (RCM). The PWG will guide the Inter-Sector Working Group (ISWG) in preparation for the expected passing of the asylum law. The main goal is to ensure that discussions during the transition period involve all sectors of the RCM and are strategic and harmonized, taking steps in line with international standards. This is especially important for the next phase of the process, which involves developing executive regulations and by-laws.
• From 4 to 8 November, Cairo hosted the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12), organized by UN- Habitat. UNHCR participated with prominent high-level speakers. On 7 November, Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for Operations (AHC-O) emphasized the importance of integrating refugees into local communities during a panel discussion on the impacts of forced displacement in urban areas. On 5 November, UNHCR’s Director of the Division of Resilience and Solutions, Sajjad Malik, highlighted the need for a shift from short-term relief to long-term development. Other UNHCR officials, including the Chief of the Global Shelter Cluster Section, also presented at various events. On the sidelines of the forum, the AHC-O conducted media interviews with Alhurra (USA) and EFE (Spain). Additionally, UNHCR Egypt supported the UN Pavilion, which hosted activities focused on urban and sustainable development, with an emphasis on refugee inclusion.
• On 5 and 6 November, UNHCR participated in a workshop in Luxor under the Khartoum Process, which focuses on cooperation between the EU and African countries along mixed movement routes. This workshop addressed the impact of climate change on displacement, especially in conflict-affected areas. UNHCR’s Special Advisor on Climate Action, Andrew Harper, led a high- level panel on national and regional strategies for managing climate-driven displacement. UNHCR’s Regional Director for East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes and Sudan Regional Refugee Coordinator, Mamadou Dian Balde, sharing field insights and best practices.
• On 6 November in Cairo, UNHCR hosted a high-level discussion with development partners and donors, including key agencies like the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank. The discussion focused on advancing refugee inclusion and operationalizing the HumanitarianDevelopment-Peace (HDP) Nexus in Egypt using flagship projects, such as the Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees and Prospects, and harnessing opportunities around the GCFF. UNHCR underscored the need for upscaled private sector engagement and sustained international support to address the long-term needs of refugees and host communities alike.