90. Apart from being a tool for protection of and solutions for refugees, resettlement is also a tangible mechanism for burden- and responsibility-sharing and a demonstration of solidarity, allowing States to help share each other’s burdens and reduce the impact of large refugee situations on host countries. At the same time, resettlement has traditionally been offered only by a limited number of countries. The need to foster a positive atmosphere for resettlement, and to enhance capacity for doing so, as well as to expand its base, cannot be overstated.
91. Contributions will be sought from States,44 with the assistance of relevant stakeholders,45 to establish, or enlarge the scope, size, and quality of, resettlement programmes.46 In support of these efforts, UNHCR — in cooperation with States and relevant stakeholders — will devise a three-year strategy (2019–2021) to increase the pool of resettlement places, including countries not already participating in global resettlement efforts; as well as to consolidate emerging resettlement programmes, building on good practices and lessons learned from the Emerging Resettlement Countries Joint Support Mechanism (ERCM) and regional arrangements. The strategy will identify, build links and provide support to new and emerging resettlement countries, including through expertise and other technical support, twinning projects, human and financial resources for capacity development, and the involvement of relevant stakeholders.
92. In addition, pledges will be sought, as appropriate, to establish or strengthen good practices in resettlement programmes. This could include the establishment of multi-year resettlement schemes; efforts to ensure resettlement processing is predictable, efficient and effective (e.g. by using flexible processing modalities that fully address security concerns to resettle at least 25 per cent of annual resettlement submissions within six months of UNHCR referral); ensuring that resettlement is used strategically, improving the protection environment and contributing to a comprehensive approach to refugee situations (e.g. by allocating places for the resettlement of refugees according to UNHCR’s resettlement criteria from priority situations identified by UNHCR in its annual projected global resettlement needs, including protracted situations; and/or e.g. dedicating at least 10 per cent of resettlement submissions as unallocated places for emergency or urgent cases identified by UNHCR); investing in robust reception and integration services for resettled refugees, including women and girls at risk; and the use of emergency transit facilities or other arrangements for emergency processing for resettlement, including for women and children at risk.47
93. In specific situations, in light of their proven value, resettlement core groups will continue to facilitate a coordinated response, with due regard to protection needs and security considerations.48 More generally, all efforts under the global compact will align with the existing multilateral resettlement architecture, including the annual tripartite consultations on resettlement, the working group on resettlement and core groups, with a view to leveraging their added value.
