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Programme overview

The Global Refugee Forum 2023 Official Programme includes the plenary session, parallel high-level events and linked events. 

The plenary session and high-level parallel events will take place at the Palexpo in Geneva Switzerland from 13 to 15 December. Official linked events are being held in a range of locations across Geneva from 11 December onwards.

Download the GRF app: The programme is also available in the GRF 2023 app, which allows you to search for events and create a customizable schedule. Download the app.

The app will be deactivated on 31 January 2024. Should you wish to save any information or contacts, please do so before this date.
Plenary and parallel high-level events
View all
Wednesday 13 December

All events listed below are held at the Palexpo. 

Main events Parallel events
07:00-08:45: Arrival and security control
09:00-13:00: Plenary session
  • Special Performance
  • Opening of the Global Refugee Forum
  • Opening remarks by the Co-Hosts 
  • Keynote address 
  • Statements by the other Co-Convenors
  • Broadening the Base of Support
  • Plenary Session
13:00-15:00: Lunch break
13:30-15:00: Parallel high-level events
  • Education: Inclusion and Finance
  • Employment & Entrepreneurship
  • MIRPS Support Platform 
  • UN Common Pledge 2.0 on Refugee Inclusion
Please see the detailed daily outline for exact timings of parallel high-level events as some have adjusted timings.
13:30-16:00: Speakers’ Corner
15:00-18:00: Plenary session, continued
  • Plenary interventions on burden- and responsibility-sharing
  • GCR in Action: Multi-stakeholder pledge announcements
15:30-17:00: Parallel high-level events
    • Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF)
    • Gender Equality & Gender-Based Violence

    • Health & MHPSS

    • Innovative Solutions 

    • Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention 

    • Sports 

    • SSAR Support Platform

    Please see the detailed daily outline for exact timings of parallel high-level events as some have adjusted timings.

    Evening: Nansen Refugee Award ceremony and reception (by invitation only)

    View the detailed outline for Wednesday 13 December for information on room locations, languages available and speakers.

    View detailed outline for 13 December

    Thursday 14 December

    All events listed below are held at the Palexpo. 

    Main events Parallel events
    10:00-13:00: Plenary session, continued
    • GCR in Action: Multi-stakeholder pledge announcements
    • Plenary interventions on burden- and responsibility-sharing
    11:00-12:30: Parallel high-level events
    • Child Rights 

    • Connectivity 

    • Forced Displacement in the HDP Nexus Agenda 

    • Refugee Labour Mobility 

    • Private Sector Engagement

    • Ukraine Refugee Situation 

    Please see the detailed daily outline for exact timings of parallel high-level events as some have adjusted timings.
    13:00-15:00: Lunch break
    13:30-15:00: Parallel high-level events
    • Access to Protection

    • Agriculture and Food Security 

    • Education: 15x30

    • GCR-GCM Complementarity 

    • Middle East and North Africa Solutions 

    Please see the detailed daily outline for exact timings of parallel high-level events as some have adjusted timings.
    13:30-16:00: Speakers’ Corner
    15:00-18:00: Plenary session, continued
    • GCR in Action: Multi-stakeholder pledge announcements
    • Plenary interventions on burden- and responsibility-sharing
    16:00-17:30: Parallel high-level events
    • District Coordination

    • Innovative Climate Finance

    • Meaningful Refugee Participation

    • Rohingya Situation and Solutions

    • Social Protection

    Please see the detailed daily outline for exact timings of parallel high-level events as some have adjusted timings.

    View the detailed outline for Thursday 14 December for information on room locations, languages available and speakers.

    View detailed outline for 14 December

    Friday 15 December

    All events listed below are held at the Palexpo. 

    Main events Parallel events
    10:00-13:00: Plenary session, continued
    • GCR in Action: Multi-stakeholder pledge announcements
    • Plenary interventions on burden- and responsibility-sharing
    11:00-12:30: Parallel high-level events
    • Cities and Urban Policy
    • Climate Action
    • Housing, Land and Property and Durable Solutions
    • IGAD Support Platform
    • Resettlement
    Please see the detailed daily outline for exact timings of parallel high-level events as some have adjusted timings.
     
    13:00-15:00: Lunch break
    13:00-14:30: Parallel high-level events
    • Central African Republic (CAR) Situation and Solutions 

    • Data Inclusion

    • Human Settlements

    • Statelessness

    Please see the detailed daily outline for exact timings of parallel high-level events as some have adjusted timings.
    13:30-16:00: Speakers’ Corner
    15:00-18:00: Plenary session, continued
    • Plenary interventions on burden- and responsibility-sharing
    • Closing of the Global Refugee Forum 2023
    15:00-16:30: Parallel high-level events
    • Advancing Localisation
    • Digital Protection
    • Islamic Philanthropy
    • Sudan Situation 
    Please see the detailed daily outline for exact timings of parallel high-level events as some have adjusted timings.

    View the detailed outline for Friday 15 December for information on room locations, languages available and speakers.

    View detailed outline for 15 December

    Linked events

    A range of linked events are being held across Geneva including dialogues, panels, film screenings and photo exhibitions.

    View linked events

    Please refer to the printable programme (pdf) for the most up-to-date version of the programme. The website and app versions will be updated shortly.

    Version updated: 15 December 2023

    Programme Explanatory Note

    Plenary session

    1. The GRF plenary session will be held from 13 to 15 December 2023 at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland, with linked events* held in other locations from 11 December onwards. The opening of the GRF on 13 December will include high-level representation from the co-hosts and co-convenors, together with the United Nations Secretary-General. Discussion in plenary will then allow for governments and other stakeholders, time permitting, to make interventions and announce pledges, in accordance with protocol.

    2. The plenary will be interspersed with "GCR in Action" moments, during which multi-stakeholder pledges that contribute to the GCR objectives and GRF 2023 key outcomes will be announced. These pledging moments will highlight the most impactful and transformative pledges, while offering an opportunity to demonstrate the multi-stakeholder and partnership approach envisioned in the GCR.

    Parallel high-level events

    3. The GRF 2023 will feature three days of parallel high-level events at Palexpo which are being developed in consultation with representatives of the GCR initiatives and partners involved in the multi-stakeholder pledges. These high-level events are intended to spotlight multi-stakeholder pledges, contributions, lessons learned, and good practices in support of the GCR objectives and proposed key outcomes of the GRF. A range of dynamic formats will be used, and the events will feature a broad and diverse array of speakers from different stakeholder groups, including forcibly displaced and stateless persons. These events will take place on 11 December, prior to the start of the GRF, as well as at select times during the Forum, from 13 to 15 December.

    GRF ecosystem

    4. The final GRF 2023 programme will include all events, both at the GRF venue (Palexpo) and offsite, including exhibitions, talks, linked events for GRF participants, and public events that showcase contributions to the Global Compact on Refugees. 

    For further information, contact [email protected].

    *Linked events are high-level events taking place offsite from Palexpo on the advance day of 11 December and during the GRF on 13-15 December.

    Logistics and practical information

    View the logistics page for more information on attending the Forum, including the venue map and security details.