The new partnership underscores a commitment shared by the UN family to advance humanitarian and development goals globally.
© Shutterstock/Waheedullah Jahesh | A camp hosting refugees and returnees in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan.
Forging stronger collaboration, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, signed a memorandum of understanding on 20 December in Geneva, Switzerland.
The agreement reaffirms the commitment of donor countries to help strengthen interagency partnerships enabling the UN system to deliver as one around the world.
The new partnership will focus on facilitating border crossing for refugees and returnees by simplifying declarations for personal belongings and customizing the ASYCUDA exemption system as necessary.
ASYCUDA, which provides an integrated system to automate and streamline customs management, is the largest technical assistance programme run by UN Trade and Development, having supported more than 100 countries over the past 40 years.
Additionally, the partnership aims to support micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises led by refugee returnees and host communities, enabling them to better participate in international trade.
The two UN entities will also work together to mobilize funding for collaborative projects. There will be regular, evidence-based reviews to continuously ensure effective delivery of the partnership.
UN Trade and Development welcomes the move, expressing appreciation for UNHCR's vital financial backing of the ASYCUDA exemptions system to further facilitate customs processing of international humanitarian consignments.
Arafat Jamal, UNHCR country director for Afghanistan, a staunch advocate for UN Trade and Development’s work, has been working to strengthen collaboration with fellow UN offices since his recent posting to the country.
© Karl-Salvador Neusser | Renaud Massenet (left), head of the ASYCUDA Programme at UN Trade and Development and Arafat Jamal (right), UNHCR country director for Afghanistan (right) represent their respective organizations to sign a new memorandum of understanding in Geneva, Switzerland, on 20 December.