GENEVA (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – The President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, today visited the headquarters of the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Geneva. The visit, exactly 70 years after Italy ratified the 1951 Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, confirms the strong collaboration between Italy and UNHCR and underscores Italy’s commitment and solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers around the world.Upon his arrival, President Mattarella was welcomed by Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, accompanied by Philippe Leclerc, UNHCR Regional Director for Europe, and Chiara Cardoletti, UNHCR Representative for Italy, the Holy See and San Marino, and greeted the Italian national staff of the UN Refugee Agency.”I am delighted for this opportunity to meet and to be here for the first time as President of the Italian Republic, not only to meet, listen and dialogue but to pay tribute to what is being carried out here. It is a crucial point, more and more of international life because it is a constant reminder, more and more necessary it seems, of the human dimension of international coexistence,” Mattarella said in his greeting. “That’s why the support for the Agency, the appreciation for what it does is very high and is absolutely full. It is a pleasure to greet all those who work here in this fundamental segment of the United Nations that deals with aspects of constant emergency,” the head of state added. “For me, it is a great pleasure to greet the Italians who work here, you are for our country a representation of the highest level in the international dimension. You bring here the contribution of our way of thinking, of civilization, of the will for peace, of respect for human dignity. This is a contribution to the international life and prestige of our country.” “This meeting,” UNHCR explained in a note, “was an important opportunity to thank President Mattarella for Italy’s commitment to support refugee protection globally and in Italy. This commitment includes supporting countries hosting the largest populations of refugees and displaced persons, and activating and expanding safe and regular pathways to access protection in Europe. Since 2015, more than 10,000 people have arrived in Italy through resettlement programs, humanitarian corridors, emergency evacuations and other complementary channels, positioning Italy as a global reference point in this area. “I am grateful to President Mattarella for his longstanding support on refugee issues,” said Filippo Grandi, High Commissioner for Refugees. “Italy is a crucial partner globally both for the humanitarian support it provides abroad and for the solidarity it shows at home with people in need of international protection. The president’s positive approach sets an example for others in their efforts to promote social cohesion and mutual understanding. “UNHCR’s collaboration with Italy, a country located on Europe’s outer borders, has expanded significantly over the years, with UNHCR actively engaged in working with Italian governments to ensure protection and solutions for people arriving primarily via the Mediterranean and Balkan routes. UNHCR also collaborates with civil society, local authorities, universities and the private sector, which, as a country system, bring an indispensable contribution to the protection and integration of refugees, as demonstrated in the commitments made at the Global Forum on Refugees in 2023.Italy has become one of UNHCR’s top 20 global donors, and President Mattarella’s visit represents a significant moment for UNHCR and for the strengthening of relations between the Agency and Italy. Italy continues to play a crucial role in providing protection and aid to people forced to flee and in promoting humanitarian efforts and support to host and transit countries.
– Quirinal press office photo –
(ITALPRESS).
