Wednesday, December 17, 2025

WCC NEWS: WCC at Global Refugee Forum Progress Review 2025: “we reaffirm our shared commitment to be agents of hope”

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay spoke at a Global Refugee Forum Progress Review 2025 plenary session on 17 December, noting that, when faith communities unite, hope is transformed into action. 
WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay speaks at a Global Refugee Forum Progress Review 2025 plenary session, 17 December 2025. Photo: WCC
17 December 2025

“In line with the mission of the World Council of Churches—to speak and act together on matters of faith and social justice—we reaffirm our shared commitment to be agents of hope: to protect those forced to flee, particularly those rendered invisible by the crises of our time,” said Pillay. “What does it mean to bring hope to the most vulnerable: stateless persons, children, and women with disabilities caught in situations of conflict or disaster, stripped of identity, protection, and dignity?"

Pillay described how the WCC and UN Refugee Agency will work to establish a financial consortium— called the Multi-Religious Fund for Protection and Ending Statelessness—for philanthropic and in-kind contributions, appealing jointly in a spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility.”

“We are not starting from zero,” he said. “We already have a powerful example of what is possible.“

The United Methodist Committee on Relief has contributed of USD 100,000 to support refugee participation in the 2027 Global Refugee Forum.

“This demonstrates what faith communities can achieve when they act together,” said Pillay. “Today, we invite others to join us in this shared mission—so that faith may continue to be a force not only of hope, but of tangible protection, justice, and lasting change.”

Pillay, in a Special Ceremony of Global Alliance, then signed a Letter of Intent with the UN Refugee Agency to deepen collaboration, particularly related to stateless people. 

The formal agreement, in the preamble, notes that the UN Refugee Agency and the WCC “share a deep commitment to upholding human dignity, promoting peace, and protecting the world’s most vulnerable populations.”

Both organisations recognise the urgent need to revitalise efforts for stateless people, whose rights and access to protection have deteriorated amidst significant global funding constraints. 

The Letter of Intent establishes the mutual commitment of the UN Refugee Agency and WCC to raise global awareness of statelessness and its human impact; strengthen advocacy for nationality rights, legal identity, and inclusive citizenship; mobilise resources, and encourage coordinated action.

“This collaboration will contribute to a wider joint process aimed at developing a multi-year fundraising and advocacy platform, as discussed by leadership of both organisations,” reads the letter. “By connecting humanitarian action with the moral authority, global reach, and advocacy power of faith communities, both organisations commit to advancing a world where every person belongs—and no one is left without a nationality.

Address of the WCC general secretary at the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review 2025

WCC delegation to attend Global Refugee Forum Progress Review 2025 (WCC news release, 12 December 2025)

Programme of the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review 2025

Plenary session livestream and webcasts

Participants of the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review 2025 plenary session, 17 December 2025. Photo: WCC
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The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.

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WCC NEWS: WCC at Global Refugee Forum Progress Review 2025: “we reaffirm our shared commitment to be agents of hope”

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay spoke at a Global Refugee Forum Progress Review 2025 plenary se...