Global vows to millions of migrants and refugees still largely unfulfilled
Most of the world's 8 billion inhabitants prefer to stay within their nation of birth, but almost 1-in-20 have left that behind.
Global Compact on Refugees
The Global Compact on Refugees is a non-binding international agreement that provides a framework to improve the worldwide response to refugees and host communities. Built on the 1951 Refugee Convention, it was affirmed by the U.N. General Assembly in 2018 as a way to promote a more equitable and predictable international response to refugee situations.
Enjoy our Free+ stories and our weekly newsletter
Start your free accessAlready have an account? Log in
Austria's Türk wins approval to lead top U.N. human rights body
U.N. career diplomat Volker Türk of Austria won approval to replace former U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet.
Nearly 3 million more displaced people from wars and conflicts
Despite the pandemic, the number of people fleeing for safety around the world rose to almost 82.4 million last year.
Poor nations focus of global refugee forum expected to raise billions
As financial help for refugees lags, some leaders have raised concerns that insufficient resources can destabilize regions.
Trump's refugee and humanitarian aid faulted for 'cruel practices'
Refugees International gave the Trump administration's U.S. practices a 'failing grade' for a second year in a row.
U.N. rights chief wary of nationalism interfering with global cooperation
A warning that sovereignty and national borders are being invoked to prevent human rights issues from being addressed.
Women and children account for most human trafficking victims
U.N. leaders used the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons to call for increased prevention against a web of factors.
Almost 71 million people globally have been forced to flee their homes
The number of displaced people, including many children, rose by 2.3 million from 2017, and doubled in two decades.
Rise of populism and trade wars erodes international cooperation
The Trump administration's broadsides embolden nations with poor rights records and encourage attacks on journalists.
World faces 'stress test' of dangerous conflicts and climate change
Huge security threats loom from the crisis in Yemen to Afghanistan's fighting to the U.S.-China trade war.
First global migration pact approved at U.N. in bid to 'prevent suffering'
The non-binding deal tries to solve some of the polarizing but age-old issues surrounding people crossing borders.
Nations overwhelmingly approve global 'new deal' for refugees
The effort accompanied a similar pact for migration that the U.N. General Assembly also approved this month.
Record 68.5 million people globally forced to flee their homes in 2017
In a world of 7.6 billion people, 44,500 people a day — one person every two seconds — are displaced, the U.N. said.