CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE - issue 02/2023

LE MONDE UNHCR | INTERVIEW
“We do not need a new
convention or new
legal instruments.“
is up to the EU member states and the European
Parliament to make those decisions.
Recently, there have been demands in Austria to
revise important international refugee agreements,
including the Geneva Refugee Convention.
How do you assess such initiatives?
Regarding the Geneva Refugee Convention,
we firmly believe that there is no need
for any changes. The definition of a refugee,
as formulated by the convention’s authors,
allows for sufficient flexibility to
accommodate newer developments. Today,
we see that many individuals continue
to find protection under the Geneva
Refugee Convention, including those facing
forms of persecution such as genderbased
violence or genital mutilation, even
though these may not have been foreseen
as grounds for persecution in 1950. From
our perspective, there is no need for modifications.
Additionally, I would like to
remind everyone that in 2018, the Global
Compact on Refugees was adopted by an
overwhelming majority of UN member
states, reaffirming their commitment to
the Geneva Refugee Convention. This demonstrates
that we do not require a new
convention or new legal instruments.
ENTGELTLICHE EINSCHALTUNG PHOTOS: ADA, FRANZ HELMRICH, UNHCR, JUGEND EINE
WELT, AEE INTEC, WORLD BANK VINCENT TREMEAU
Combating poverty, ensuring peace and preserving the environment
COVID-19, climate change and migration are the
key challenges Austrian Development Cooperation
aims to tackle. Developing answers and
implementing measures that are socially and
environmentally sustainable, efficient, and humane
require government and civil society to work
together.
Austria aims to promote better life prospects in
an environment of social and political stability
through development cooperation. The Austrian
Development Agency (ADA) as the operational
unit of Austrian Development Cooperation,
together with numerous ministries, social partners,
civil society, businesses and academia,
seeks to ensure that sustainable development
works to the benefit of all people in developing
countries. ADA staff on the ground in 25 local
offices make sure that Austria’s efforts are in
line both with national development goals and
the needs of the local population, and that the
funds are put to the best possible use.
Austria is particularly committed to meeting the
challenges posed by COVID-19, climate change
and migration. ADA will accordingly work to reduce
poverty through the promotion of economic
and social development, ensure peace and
human security as well as preserve the environment
and protect natural resources.
Austrian know-how
ADA is primarily engaged in sectors where Austria
can contribute its professional know-how
and long-standing experience: water supply and
sanitation, renewable energy, climate protection,
agriculture and forestry, private sector and
development as well as human security, human
rights and rule of law. In all projects and programmes,
ADA attaches particular importance
to the equal participation of women and takes
special account of the needs of children and
persons with disabilities.
Global action
Austrian development cooperation is based
on trust and partnership. Funds are deployed
efficiently in selected focus countries and
regions. The agency’s foreign offices ensure
partnership-based work as well as effective
monitoring and controlling. The projects and
programmes are tailored to local conditions
and coordinated with local partners. Austria is
active in Africa, Southeast Europe, in the South
Caucasus as well as in Bhutan and Palestine.
Clear vision
Austria’s overarching goal is to achieve ecological
and social security in a world with economic
stability. As a solidary part of the international
community, Austria is committed to the
well-being of all people, better life prospects
and more social and political stability worldwide.
Austria’s strategic guidelines and concrete
projects and programmes are aligned with the
Agenda 2030, adopted by the International
Community in 2015, with its 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
Christoph Pinter, head of
UNHCR Austria, in conversation
with CD author Gerhard
Bitzan.
PHOTO: RALPH MANFREDA
50 Cercle Diplomatique 2/2023
WHAT ADA DOES
The Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation, supports countries in
Africa, Asia, Southeast and Eastern Europe in their sustainable development. ADA cooperates with public institutions, civil
society organisations, scientific institutions and companies. In 2022, ADA funded 558 projects and programmes with a volume of
723 million euros. ADA staff on the ground in 24 local offices in 12 countries make sure that ADA operations are in line both with
national development goals and the needs of the local population, and that the funds are put to the best possible use.
You can find more information at:
entwicklung.at austriandevelopmentagency @austriandev @AustrianDev