IsDB President and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Co-Chair GIFR 1st Board Meeting

Dubai, UAE - December 1, 2023: The founders of the Global Islamic Fund for Refugees (GIFR) held their first board meeting on the sidelines of the ongoing COP28 climate conference in Dubai. Co-chaired by the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the meeting aimed to advance the Fund's mission of supporting refugees and displaced people.

Launched in September 2022, the GIFR is a joint initiative between the IsDB and the UNHCR. It aims to provide crucial resources to refugees, particularly in areas like education, water and sanitation, and shelter.

During the meeting, IsDB President Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser emphasized the need to mobilize resources to reach the GIFR's target of US$500 million and initiate projects to benefit refugee communities. He highlighted the importance of the Fund for member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which host nearly half the world's refugees and displaced people.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Filippo Grandi, also addressed the meeting, underscoring the Fund's significance and progress since its inception.

The board further discussed key documents and operationalization plans to ensure the GIFR's effective implementation. Notably, the Fund utilizes an innovative Islamic financing model based on the concept of Waqf (endowment), attracting attention as a globally innovative approach to tackling refugee challenges.

This meeting marks a significant step forward for the GIFR, paving the way for its operationalization and tangible impact on the lives of refugees and their host communities in OIC member countries.