55th Session of the UNHCR
Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme
Geneva, 4 - 8 October 2004

Working Methods of the Executive Committee
NGO Submission
Agenda Item 9

Mr. Chairman,

We would like to express, once again, our appreciation of the consultations that took place this year on the Draft Decision on Working Methods of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme and its Standing Committee, including on NGO Observer Participation in the work of the Committees. The consultations convened by Ambassador Boulgaris, Chair of EXCOM, allowed for an open exchange of ideas to improve the working methods of EXCOM and Standing Committee. We hope that the new Bureau will continue this inclusive process.

While we had hoped that the attempts to allow operational and implementing partners to participate as observers in these bodies would be adopted, we look forward to the discussions around the issue in two years' time. We also look forward to similar consultations with the EXCOM, facilitated by the Bureau, in order to ensure that we can have a more fruitful decision at the 57th Session of EXCOM. We appreciate the interventions made by several states on this matter.

We would like to reiterate the position expressed during the consultations process on the draft decision. NGOs have an interest in participating in EXCOM and its Standing Committee because we work so closely with refugees. Our interest is in contributing to better refugee protection and we welcome the ability to contribute more NGO statements in the future.

We are very pleased to see that there is the possibility for NGOs to contribute to the EXCOM Conclusions process in the future. We look forward to bringing our experience and expertise to the table next year.

Thank you.