Thank you, Mr. President.
I would like to thank the High Commissioner for his presentation and his agency's tireless efforts on the ground.
We have heard him say that 114 million people are currently displaced - a sad record.
The reality of these men, women and children who have had to flee war, violence, conflict, natural disaster or persecution should not leave us indifferent. There is no continent in the world that is not directly or indirectly affected.
As the High Commissioner just highlighted, the humanitarian needs of displaced people are multiplying, but financial resources do not follow. I would like to express our gratitude to the humanitarian workers who, despite these challenges, continue to assist the most vulnerable people. We call on all parties to guarantee rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Let us be clear: humanitarian aid must go hand in hand with conflict resolution and, above all, with prevention efforts. The aim is to break the vicious circle of conflict and displacement and initiate a virtuous circle: by applying the principle of responsibility and prevention, by combating impunity, and by punishing - in a targeted manner - the perpetrators of acts and violations of fundamental rights that are at the root of forced displacement.
Better prevention requires, for example, that this Council and the peacekeeping missions take more action on the link between climate change, peace and security. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is a good example of how the Council can empower its missions to better respond to climate risks and thus contribute to prevent displacement.
In addition to prevention and humanitarian aid, it is vital to ensure the protection of displaced persons. Let's not forget that 40% of them are children. Displacement makes them particularly vulnerable to serious violations of their rights, such as abduction, sexual exploitation and recruitment by terrorist groups.
At an international level, we have clear legal frameworks to protect displaced people. At a local level, protection managed by host communities is necessary, as is sustainable socio-economic integration.
Another issue closely linked to conflict and displacement is that of missing persons. To improve the prevention and resolution of cases of separation and disappearance, Switzerland, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross, has set up the Global Alliance for the Missing. This Council paved the way by adopting Resolution 2474 on missing persons in armed conflicts. It is up to Member States to implement this resolution through concrete actions.
Mr. President, I would like to thank you for your support,
Displaced persons need protection and a voice in the decisions that affect them. Switzerland therefore welcomes the significant participation of refugees in the World Refugee Forum, which will be held in Geneva in December and which Switzerland will co-host with the UNHCR.
It is equally essential that we tackle the root causes of forced displacement: conflict and insecurity, including food insecurity, often aggravated by the adverse effects of climate change. This Council must seek the necessary unity to act in the many conflicts and crises that require its attention. Switzerland will continue to work to this end.
I thank you.