2003 (Executive Committee—54th Session) CONCLUSIONS ADOPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON THE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF REFUGEES 1 No. 95 (LIV) – GENERAL (2003) The Executive Committee, (a) Welcomes this year's Note on International Protection 2 which focuses on the operational, legal and policy, as well as promotional tools of protection; notes with concern the manifold protection problems and challenges identified by the Note, while appreciating the range of field initiatives undertaken by UNHCR, in cooperation with States, to operationalise protection; (b) Recognizes that international protection is both a legal concept and at the same time very much an action–oriented function, directly benefiting millions of refugees and others of concern to UNHCR. (c) Notes in this context that the delivery of international protection is a staff–intensive service at the core of UNHCR's mandate which requires the Agency to have adequate protection staff with the appropriate expertise; (d) Welcomes the accession of Ukraine and Timor–Leste to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and its 1967 Protocol, bringing the number of States party to either one or both instruments to one hundred and forty–five; and in view of the global character of the refugee problem, urges States which are not yet parties to consider acceding; and stresses the importance of their full implementation by States; (e) Appreciates that the design of realistic protection policy directions for the future rests on the indispensable base of the 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol as well as additional initiatives, such as the Agenda for Protection and arrangements which may develop through "Convention Plus"; (f) Recognizes the importance for States to promote an age and gender–sensitive approach in the application of international refugee instruments and for UNHCR to ensure consideration of age and gender in its policy making and operations through further mainstreaming; (g) Recognizes that countries of asylum often carry a heavy burden, in particular, developing countries, countries in transition and countries with limited resources which host large numbers of refugees and asylum– seekers, especially those who have hosted refugees for a long period of time; reiterates in this regard its strong commitment to international solidarity, burden and responsibility sharing; and reaffirms UNHCR's catalytic role in assisting and supporting countries receiving refugees, particularly developing countries, and in mobilizing assistance from the international community to address the impact of large–scale refugee populations; (h) Stresses the value of strengthening protection capacities in host countries as well as of initiatives enhancing the ability of refugee communities to become self–reliant, where appropriate with adequate support from the international community for the host country and the refugees living there; (i) Reiterates the crucial importance of achieving durable solutions for refugees and urges States and UNHCR to continue their efforts in this regard to promote and facilitate, in conditions of safety and dignity, voluntary repatriation as the preferred solution, in addition to working proactively on local integration and resettlement opportunities where appropriate and feasible; (j) Notes the willingness of UNHCR, with the support and assistance of the international community, to participate in regional efforts, where appropriate, to provide protection and to achieve durable solutions for refugees, by working closely with countries in the region and other partners; (k) Acknowledges the multifaceted linkages between refugee issues and human rights and recalls that the refugee experience, in all its stages, is affected by the degree of respect by States for human rights and fundamental freedoms; 1 2 Contained in United Nations General Assembly Document No. 12A (A/58/12/Add.1) A/AC.96/975 149