Photography exhibition: “Refugees – a great challenge”, organized by the Permanent Mission of Germany

Ambassador Leendertse,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

A warm welcome to the opening of the exhibition “Refugees – a great challenge” by the renowned German photographer Herlinde Koelbl. My sincere thanks to Ambassador Leendertse and the Permanent Mission of Germany for bringing this outstanding exhibition to the Palais des Nations and for generously inviting us to a reception afterwards.

Today, as we mark World Refugee Day, held every year on 20 June, we celebrate the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees. World Refugee Day is also an important occasion to make this year’s ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment a success. We are looking forward to a busy schedule with a General Debate, three High-Level Interactive Panels and some twenty-five side-events, which will happen under the stewardship of Germany as Vice-President.

Since 1998, the Segment has been an essential platform for discussing how to strengthen coordination and effectiveness of the humanitarian assistance of the United Nations. Over the next three days, a diverse group of stakeholders will consider many of the drivers of displacement and will tie in closely with discussions on refugees. Respect for International Human Rights Law; reaching people in need; protracted crises and what we need to do to prevent and address them; Natural Disasters and disaster-induced displacement, including climate change, will all be high on the agenda. With over 65 million displaced people, including over 21 million refugees, these events are more than timely and necessary.

Herlinde Koelbl has captured the stories of the people behind these numbers in her photos. She traveled to Greece and Italy and visited six refugee camps. Nearly all refugees she talked to showed her images of their previous lives on their cell phones. Their cell phone chips carry their individual memories and histories. Without surprise the charging points for mobile phones are the central meeting points in the refugee camps. The need to connect with family members and friends continues to be essential for people on the move. Today’s technology makes it easier.

Herlinde Koelbl has published more than a dozen books of photograph and her work has been shown at numerous international exhibitions. She has produced documentary films and video installations and received numerous awards. Her photographic work, usually accompanied by in-depth interviews, goes well beyond the surface.

I am grateful to Ambassador Leendertse and the Permanent Mission of Germany for making the Palais des Nations one stop in the journey of this exhibition. Germany has been a pillar in the response to the large streams of migration during the past years. It has taken in hundreds of thousands of people in need, provided them with opportunities to study and work and it is engaged in numerous projects to tackle the root causes of flight and migration in different countries. Germany has also been a great supporter of multilateral activities to the benefit of migrants and refugees right here in Geneva. In 2016, it was the second most important donor to UNHCR. In 2015 it was the third biggest contributor to the assessed budget of IOM and the fourth most important government donor to the International Committee of the Red Cross. It is thanks to committed advocates like Germany that agencies in Geneva have been able to make the city a hub of collective action with a direct impact on migrants and refugees.

With this exhibition, Germany is giving a face to one of the key issues dominating the current humanitarian agenda. The images provide a powerful appeal to keep up our work in support of migrants and refugees who have lost everything but their hope for a better future for themselves and their children. Helping people who have fled from violence, war and prosecution is an imperative for all of us in the international community.

Thank you once more to Ambassador Leendertse and the Permanent Mission of Germany for sending a powerful message on World Refugee Day and for giving it a prominent place in the cultural programme of the United Nations in Geneva.

Thank you very much to all of you for being here and I hope you will enjoy the exhibition.