As more than 1 million people have been displaced due to conflicts and natural disasters around the world, and acceptance of refugees has become an issue in each country, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Clements told NHK, "It is necessary for society as a whole, including not only governments and UN agencies, but also private companies, to face this issue," and urged Japan to accept refugees more actively.
Kelly Clements, Deputy High Commissioner of UNHCR = United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, who was visiting the Japan, gave an interview to NHK in Tokyo on May 5.
According to last year's summary by the United Nations, more than 31 million people, or more than 1% of the world's population, have been displaced due to conflicts and natural disasters, and there are concerns that the number will increase further due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and tensions in Sudan.
Deputy High Commissioner Clements expressed a strong sense of crisis about this situation, saying, "Sustainable development of the world is impossible by ignoring the 1% of the world's population.
He then emphasized that "it is no longer necessary for society as a whole, including not only governments and organizations such as UNHCR, but also private companies."
In light of the fact that Japan will serve as co-chair of the International Forum on Refugees to be held at the end of the year in addition to the G1 chair this year, Prime Minister Abe expressed his expectation that the international community will lead the international community in cooperating with countries that accept large numbers of refugees and providing active support in areas such as human resource development.
He also praised Japan's stance of accepting refugees from Ukraine so far, and said, "We hope that more people fleeing war and persecution will be welcomed than before," and appealed for society as a whole to actively accept refugees and others.