WCC news: WCC, UN Refugee Agency sign historic memorandum of understanding that deepens collaboration

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have signed a historic memorandum of understanding that reaffirms their shared commitment to raising global, regional, and national awareness of forced displacement and statelessness. WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay and United Nations high commissioner for refugees Dr Barham Salih.  Photo: Gregoire de Fombelle/WCC 1 June 2026 The memorandum outlines the joint commitment to supporting “interfaith and ecumenical dialogue initiatives that promote belonging, dignity, and peaceful coexistence,” as well as addressing the root causes of forced displacement. The agreement also strengthens advocacy for nationality rights, legal identity, inclusion, and protection of forcibly displaced and stateless persons, and mobilizes “faith-based resources and constituencies in support of protection, inclusion, and durable solutions to support access to services, social cohesion, and local integration.” The memorandum encourages coordinated action between UN Refugee Agency operations and WCC constituencies and partners.  “At a time of increasing displacement, collaboration with faith-based actors is critical to advancing protection, fostering inclusion, and supporting durable solutions for refugees and stateless people as outlined in the Global Compact on Refugees,” said United Nations high commissioner for refugees Dr Barham Salih. “We welcome the commitment of World Council of Churches to interfaith dialogue and to making a tangible and lasting difference in the lives those who are stateless and those who are forced to flee.” WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to strengthen the collaboration with the UN Refugee Agency. “With this historic agreement, we build upon and deepen a longstanding collaboration and commitment to upholding human dignity, promoting peace, and protecting the world’s most vulnerable populations. It is a testimony to the good intentions of the WCC and the UNHCR working together in the common goal to exercise compassion, care, and action to champion the rights of forcibly displaced and stateless persons.” Pillay underscored the urgent need to revitalise efforts for stateless people, whose rights and access to protection have deteriorated amidst significant global funding constraints and growing conflict across the world.  “Through this agreement, we are more closely connecting humanitarian action with the moral authority, global reach, and advocacy power of faith communities,” said Pillay. “We share a deep commitment to advancing a world where every person belongs—and no one is left without a nationality.” The WCC and the UN Refugee Agency have had a close collaboration, particularly with work on statelessness, for more than a decade. Photo gallery WCC meets with UN Refugee Agency to discuss work related to statelessness (WCC news release, 13 November 2025)  WCC at Global Refugee Forum Progress Review 2025: “we reaffirm our shared commitment to be agents of hope” (WCC news release, 18 December 2025) WCC congratulates newly elected United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (WCC news release, 23 December 2025) I Belong: Biblical Reflections on Statelessness I Belong Volume 2 See more

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. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland