Today, Special Co-ordinator Erhard Busek appointed former UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner Soeren Jessen-Petersen as new Chairman of the Steering Committee on Refugee Matters. Upon his appointment, Jessen-Petersen stated that “the returns exceeding 100’000, which we have seen in 2001, is a very promising trend, but 1.2 million refugees or displaced persons are still awaiting a solution and a betterment of their situation. Particularly, I want to resolutely address the plight of 60’000 persons still languishing in collective centres in the three countries”. In 2002, the Regional Return Initiative will seek sustainable solutions for at least 100'000 additional refugees and will be challenged to balance financial resources against the needs of the refugees and returnees, especially with a view to 200'000 housing units needed in the next 3-4 years.

Jessen-Petersen of Denmark has been with UNHCR for 28 years. His last position in Geneva (1998-2001) put him in charge of all UNHCR operations worldwide. He represented HCR at the Stability Pact launching in Sarajevo, in 1999, served as UNHCR Special Envoy to the former Yugoslavia (1995-96) and as Director of the UNHCR Liaison Office at United Nations Headquarters in New York (1994-98). In joining the Stability pact, he succeeds Hans Koschnick, who was at the helm of the Refugee Return Initiative since early 2000.

Under the Stability Pact's Refugee Return Initiative, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Yugoslavia agreed to jointly resolve the plight of more than one million refugees and displaced persons. On 27 June 2001, the agreement on regional return, called the “Agenda for Regional Action” (AREA), was launched. With international financial support, this roadmap provides for a comprehensive framework and timetable for resolving such issues as housing, property, citizenship, and economic reconstruction. In 2001, over 100'000 persons have returned to their former places of residence in BiH and Croatia alone, an all time high number of minority returns since the Dayton peace agreement was signed in 1995. Apart from the priorities for 2002 mentioned above, particular attention shall be given to resolving outstanding regional issues concerning pension payments, social rights, private property and tenancy rights.

Biography of Soeren Jessen-Petersen