Bilateral consultations with UNHCR
The fourth bilateral consultations between Finland and UNHCR (Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees) were arranged in Geneva on 26 February 2007. The parties discussed issues of topical interest to the organisation and covered a wide variety of matters related to its activities.
The consultations offered an excellent opportunity for open dialogue with representatives of UNHCR. High Commissioner António Guterres also participated in the consultations and told the participants about UNHCR's main challenges.
Representatives from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior in the morning meeting
UNHCR is facing major challenges, such as the ongoing structural and administrative reform to intensify the operation of the organisation. Furthermore, in accordance with the so-called cluster approach adopted by the UN, which forms an element of the reform of the UN's humanitarian assistance, UNHCR has, over the past few years, increasingly focused on the protection of internally displaced refugees. During the consultations, the participants also discussed the present hot spots in the world and especially matters related to the protection of women and children.
The Finnish delegation comprised representatives from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Labour.