The first formal Consultations with Governments and NGOs were convened by UNHCR in October 1995 in Geneva. The Consultations were subsequently convened on a yearly basis and have become a traditional event known as the Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement (ATC).

Initially, the Consultations with Governments and NGOs were convened in separate sessions. The modalities for a more effective and transparent consultation process were further streamlined in the following years. As a result, the NGOs were gradually and systematically included in the Annual Consultations discussions, although still in a limited fashion. The Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement in 2000 marked a significant achievement when the ten traditional resettlement countries agreed to the full participation of not only the eight emerging resettlement countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Ireland, Spain and Iceland) but also inclusion of NGOs to jointly focus upon key issues of mutual concern to all participants.

The Consultations, in their new format, have become an important vehicle for UNHCR's co-operation with Governments and NGOs and a mechanism to enhance partnership. The Consultations offer a forum to review progress on resettlement issues during the year, but more importantly, to re-focus and shape a joint strategy on resettlement. In particular, the Consultations provide the appropriate environment to: raise awareness with a view toward building consensus in the EXCOM for the support of key resettlement issues, including the establishment of new programs; share information on a regular basis about resettlement needs, provide opportunities for planning purposes and allow for analysis of important policy issues; focus attention on UNHCR's resettlement activities, relevant operational issues, and key responsibilities for case identification and referral.

RCUSA members regularly participate in these annual meetings and often prepare and read statements on pertinent issues pertaining to refugee resettlement.  Some of these statements are available below:

 

Opening NGO Statement, UNHCR Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement, Geneva, Switzerland, June 2007

Opening NGO Statement, UNHCR Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement, Geneva, Switzerland, 14-15 June 2006

NGO Statement from Traditional Resettlement Countries, UNHCR Solidarity Resettlement in the Americas (Implementation of the Mexico Plan of Action), Quito, Ecuador, February 2006

 

Protracted Refugee Situations—Warehousing, Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement Geneva, Switzerland, 9-15 June 2004