The agency’s flagship annual report, Global Trends in Forced Displacement 2022, found that by the end of 2022, the number of people displaced by war, persecution, violence, and human rights abuses stood at a record 108.4 million, up 19.1 million on the previous year – which was also a record increase.

“These figures show us that some people are far too quick to rush to conflict, and way too slow to find solutions. The consequence is devastation, displacement, and anguish for each of the millions of people forcibly uprooted from their homes,” High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said.

Of the global total, 35.3 million were refugees, people who crossed an international
border to find safety, while a greater share, 58 per cent, representing 62.5 million
people – were internally displaced due to conflict and violence.

Global crises

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was the top driver of displacement in 2022. The number of refugees soared from 27,300 at the end of 2021, to 5.7 million at the end of 2022 – representing the fastest outflow of refugees anywhere since World War Two.

Estimates for the number of refugees from Afghanistan were sharply higher by the year’s end, due to revised estimates of Afghans hosted in Iran, many having arrived in previous years.

Similarly, the report reflected upward revisions by Colombia and Peru of the numbers of Venezuelans, mostly categorized as “other people in need of international protection,” hosted in those countries.

Urgent funding for host countries

The figures also show it remains the world’s low and middle-income countries, not wealthy states that host most displaced people.

The 46 least developed nations, account for less than 1.3 per cent of global gross domestic product, yet they hosted more than 20 per cent of all refugees, UNHCR said.

Funding for displacement and to support hosts, remained inadequate for 2022 and the same applies so far this year, the agency added

‘Responsibility sharing’ needed

“People around the world continue to show extraordinary hospitality for refugees as they extend protection and help to those in need,” Mr. Grandi added, “but much more international support and more equitable responsibility sharing is required, especially with those countries that are hosting most of the world’s displaced.

At the end of 2022, an estimated 4.4 million people worldwide were stateless or of undetermined nationality, a full two per cent more than at the end of 2021. 

The Global Trends report is being launched six months ahead of the second Global Refugee Forum, a major gathering in Geneva bringing together a range of actors to find new solutions for people forced to flee and their hosts, and to emphasize the importance of global solidarity in confronting the problem.

Addressing a conference to take stock of action since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) 17 years ago, he urged countries to “do much, much better” to achieve greater inclusion and accessibility. 

There are more than one billion persons with disabilities worldwide, most of whom are of working age and live in developing countries.  

‘A landmark moment’  

The 16th session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD is taking place at UN Headquarters through Thursday. 

Mr. Guterres said the treaty marked “a landmark moment in our shared journey towards a more just and inclusive future for all.” 

It has been ratified by 186 countries, and some 75 per cent of State Parties have passed laws to guarantee the integration of students with disabilities in mainstream schools.  

Nearly 80 per cent now prohibit discrimination in hiring against persons with disabilities, and over 90 per cent have adopted national disability laws. 

Hit hard by crises 

“Today, however, the progress we achieved is at risk of reversing,” he said, referring to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the worsening climate emergency, conflicts, soaring humanitarian needs, and the global cost-of-living crisis. 

Mr. Guterres noted that persons with disabilities “are often hit first and worst” when crisis strikes. “In every emergency – from natural disasters to pandemics to armed conflicts – persons with disabilities lose their lives at vastly higher rates,” he said.  

Furthermore, workers with disabilities – who already suffer exclusion and marginalization – are often the first to lose their jobs and the last to be re-hired.  Meanwhile, women and girls with disabilities are more likely to suffer violence and abuse, face discrimination, and remain trapped in poverty. 

Everyone wins 

“We must do much, much better,” he said, underlining that everyone has the right to live lives of dignity and opportunity, in societies that are peaceful, prosperous, and just. 

“Because a world in which persons with disabilities can realize their full potential is a world that is more equal, more inclusive, more vibrant, fairer and better for all,” he added. 

Areas for action 

Mr. Guterres said the conference highlights three areas where progress must be made now, starting with improving digital accessibility for persons with disabilities, as “leaving no one behind, means leaving no one offline.” 

Persons with disabilities must also have equal access to sexual and reproductive health services, an issue that has been “so deeply neglected”, he continued. 

“It is not only a matter of justice and rights, including fundamental reproductive rights – for women with disabilities, access to sexual and reproductive health services can be the difference between life and death,” he said. 

Finally, countries must ensure the full inclusion and active participation of persons with disabilities in all their diversity. 

“Specifically, that means shifting mindsets to ensure persons with disabilities are fully included in decision-making processes on all issues that affect them,” he said. “And it means realizing the powerful call of the disability movement: ‘Nothing about us, without us.’” 

Pick up the pace 

The Secretary-General underlined the UN’s commitment to take ownership and show leadership. 

Four years ago, he launched a strategy on disability inclusion across all pillars of the Organization’s work in peace and security, human rights, and development.  Since then, UN entities and country teams have met 30 per cent of benchmarks. 

Mr. Guterres acknowledged that “while this is progress – it is neither fast nor broad enough”, adding “we must pick up the pace.” 

“My commitment is ironclad: guided by persons with disabilities and their representative organizations, we will not stop until disability inclusion and accessibility are fully built into every aspect of our work – across every policy, programme, and operation; from headquarters to the field,” he said. 

Accurate data is critical

The President of the UN General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, noted that there is still much to do to translate the CRPD’s landmark provisions into real change on the ground.

 He highlighted the crucial need for accurate data which will help policy makers with allocating resources to support persons with disabilities.

“These efforts will be particularly important for overcoming the barriers to digital inclusion. Persons with disabilities often have lower incomes than others, making the cost of adaptive technology or connectivity services a burden,” he said.

Justice for all

Mr. Kőrösi also voiced his commitment to building more just and inclusive societies. 

He said the General Assembly held a meeting on Tuesday on the role of “easy-to-understand communication”, helping people with disabilities to engage fully in UN life, he added.

On Thursday, the Assembly will hold a High-Level Meeting on ‘Equal Access to Justice for All’, he added.

Among the speakers is an activist who is helping other persons with disabilities to navigate the complexities of legal systems around the world.

Persons with the condition – which is caused by a lack of melanin pigmentation, affecting skin, hair and eye colour – continue to face an uphill battle to attain a life with dignity and equality, said Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, the UN Independent Expert on albinism. 

“My clarion call today is for Governments, UN counterparts, civil society organisations, influencers, community members and all stakeholders to reach out to persons with albinism and ensure their voices are heard – to form new partnerships and strengthen existing ones,” she said in a message to mark International Albinism Awareness Day on Tuesday. 

Worldwide representation 

Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition that is present at birth. It is found in both sexes regardless of ethnicity and in all countries worldwide.  

Albinism is much more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, with estimates of one in 1,400 people being affected in Tanzania, according to the UN.   

Prevalence as high as one in 1,000 has been reported for select populations in Zimbabwe and for other specific ethnic groups in Southern Africa. 

Cancer and other dangers 

Almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and prone to developing skin cancer.   

They also face discrimination due to their skin colour, meaning they are often subject to multiple and intersecting discrimination on the grounds of both disability and skin colour. In some cultures, they have been killed for their body parts. 

Over the past decade, UN human rights entities have received reports of more than 600 attacks against children and adults with albinism. Witchcraft was identified as one of the root causes of these attacks, as some believe that the body parts of people with albinism can bestow good luck or wealth. 

Diversity and collaboration 

This year, the International Day is being celebrated around the theme of “Inclusion is Strength”, which upholds the importance of diversity – both within and outside the albinism community. 

Specifically, it highlights the value and benefits of including a broad spectrum of persons with albinism in albinism-related discussions, such as young people, women, children, older persons and LGBTQ+ persons of all races and ethnic backgrounds. 

It also calls for collaborating and embracing albinism within the disability movement, and in other sectors where decisions affect persons with the condition, as well as teaming up with other groups outside the albinism movement, such as those working to advance human rights. 

Translate policies into action 

“Today, we have the opportunity to pause, reflect and remember that not all persons are treated equal, and that many persons with albinism continue to suffer human rights abuses and violations, often invisibly and in silence,” Ms. Miti-Drummond said. 

She was adamant that persons with albinism cannot be excluded or left behind when it comes to decisions affecting them, stressing that human rights laws, policies and dialogue, must include issues relating to albinism.  

“More critically, these must translate to actions and tangible results,” she said. 

“Such a journey for inclusion should not be difficult given the myriad of human rights commitments States and stakeholders have undertaken at the international, regional, and national fora,” she added.  

“Human rights mainstreaming is a common mantra, and the challenges faced by persons with albinism can be eliminated through strengthened partnerships and collaboration.”