Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Robert Abisoghomonyan on Wednesday attended and delivered remarks at a side event, entitled “Towards the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review: Turning pledges into impact,” on the margins of the 76th plenary session of the UNHCR Executive Committee, in Geneva, Switzerland, informs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

The deputy FM presented the steps undertaken and the progress achieved by Armenia in implementing its Global Refugee Forum pledges. In this vein, the legislative reforms carried out by the country, and aimed at enhancing systemic efficiency and transparency as well as ensuring safeguards for vulnerable groups, were touched upon.

Abisoghomonyan noted that within the Global Refugee Forum framework, Armenia has made 13 pledges, 5 of which have already been fully implemented, while efforts continue towards the realization of the remaining ones.

In his remarks, the deputy FM stressed that for Armenia, addressing refugee issues extends beyond humanitarian concern, and encompasses development, governance and human rights challenges which, in their turn, require long-term, inclusive, and coordinated responses — both at the local and national levels.

Also, the steps taken by Armenia to ensure the full integration and protection of refugees — including women and girls — within health care, education, and social protection systems were touched upon.