Lithuania Becomes Member of UNHCR Executive Committee
On 19 April Lithuania became a member of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Formerly an observer state, from now on Lithuania will enjoy full rights in decision-making over the activities of the UNHCR. UNHCR’s governing Executive Committee meets in Geneva annually in October to review and approve the agency’s programmes and budget, to approve proposed biennial budget targets, and in cooperation with the UNHCR’s intergovernmental and non-governmental partners to discuss the High Commissioner's exercise of functions and to discuss such important asylum and protection issues as regional activities, emergency preparedness, and international protection.
During the intersessional period, the governing of the activities of the UNHCR are taken up by the Standing Committee, which meets three times a year. At its periodic meetings, the Standing Committee examines thematic issues, reviews UNHCR’s activities and programmes in different regions as well as its global programmes, adopts appropriate decisions and conclusions on the UNHCR’s work, and discusses other relevant issues.
UNHCR is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Established in 1950, the organisation works to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home.
Lithuania is a consistent supporter of the international humanitarian organisations. As a partner to the UNHCR, in 2016, Lithuania allocated 30 000 euros to the agency’s programme dedicated to the integration of the returnees in Afghanistan and, in 2017, contributed 40 000 euros to establishing refugee camps for asylum seekers leaving Mosul city in Iraq and 20 000 euros as an un-earmarked contribution to the UNHCR’s budget.
