DG Khalid Rahman Participated in a Conference at UNHCR HQ

Issues related to refugees and displaced persons, particularly with reference to Afghanistan, have been an active area of research at IPS. In that context, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and IPS has carried out joint projects, namely dialogues and publications.

Issues related to refugees and displaced persons, particularly with reference to Afghanistan, have been an active area of research at IPS. In that context, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and IPS has carried out joint projects, namely dialogues and publications. In continuation of the same program, Khalid Rahman, DG IPS, participated in the UNHCR Annual Dialogue held in Geneva on the theme “Protection Gaps and Responses” on December 8-9, 2010.

The dialogue focused three themes in particular: International Cooperation, Burden Sharing and Comprehensive Regional Approaches; Implementation and Normative Gaps; and Issues Relating to Statelessness. While a research study on statelessness in Pakistan is underway at IPS, this visit provided an opportunity to have a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of statelessness across the world.

During the visit, DG IPS called upon a number of intellectuals and policy makers and discussed the issues of mutual interest. He met with Mark Manly, the Head of Statelessness Unit of UNHCR, Kasidis Rochanakorn, Director Asia Bureau and Indrika Ratwatte, Deputy Director, Asia Bureau. During his stay in Geneva, he also held a meeting with Romain Grandjean and Angelo Gneadinger of Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue and discussed the prospects of mutual cooperation between the two institutes.