18 Dec 2025
FeaturesMilestones and momentum: SSI’s Global Refugee Forum pledge progress
SSI’s global engagement in refugee protection recognises that durable solutions require cross-border collaboration, capacity building, and innovative pathways.
At the 2023 Global Refugee Forum, SSI made a pledge to strengthen the capacity of civil society and refugee-led organisations to expand access to third-country solutions, and contributed to a multi-stakeholder pledge on advancing skills-based complementary pathways for displaced people, both aligned with the Global Compact on Refugees.
The Global Refugee Forum Progress Review of December 2025 marks the halfway point to the 2027 Forum, a critical moment for SSI and stakeholders worldwide to assess implementation progress.
We are proud to report substantial progress against both pledges. Through partnerships spanning Asia, the Pacific, and beyond, SSI has been building the capacity of organisations working directly with displaced communities, supporting the establishment of new resettlement programs, and advancing complementary pathways such as skilled labour mobility pilots.
Yet as we celebrate these achievements, we recognise that our work is far from complete. The scale of global displacement demands continued ambition, increased resources, and unwavering commitment from all stakeholders to turn pledges into lasting change for refugees and the countries that host them.
Strengthening civil society and refugee-led organisations
SSI’s pledge committed to leveraging our expertise to strengthen the critical role that civil society organisations and refugee-led organisations play in expanding access to third-country solutions and easing pressure on host countries. We are pleased to report significant momentum in this area.
2023 Pledge Summary
SSI pledges to leverage its resources and expertise to strengthen and safeguard the critical role CSOs and RLOs play in expanding access to third-country solutions and easing pressure on host countries.
SSI’s pledge:
SSI’s pledge aligns to two objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees, easing pressures on host countries and expanding access to third-country solutions.
By the next GRF in 2027, SSI commits to:
- Supporting organisations (CSOs and RLOs) looking to establish or grow resettlement and complementary pathway programs
- Supporting organisations (CSOs and RLOs) working with displaced communities in host countries
Progress update:
- Delivered capacity-building with governments across Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and CSOs in Asia and Colombia. Engagements ranged from formal training agreements to pro-bono technical support on case management frameworks, trauma-informed service provision, and ongoing mentorship.
- Successfully engaged new stakeholders (CSOs, RLOs, and governments) in countries including Afghanistan and Papua New Guinea.
- Strengthened partnership with the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) to support refugee-led organisations working with displaced communities, with focus on Afghan women and girls.
- Supported APRRN’s 14-week training course equipping female Afghan lawyers who were forced to stop practicing with skills to provide legal advice to survivors under Taliban law.
- Currently supporting APRRN with delivering training programs on the situation of women in Afghanistan, the legal system, and cybersecurity awareness for digital safety.
- Supporting APRRN to develop programs addressing sexual and gender-based violence in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, with Legal Action Worldwide and Shanti Mohila.
Labour mobility pathways in Australia and globally – Multi-stakeholder pledge endorsement
Additionally, SSI contributed to a multi-stakeholder pledge focused on expanding labour mobility pathways for displaced people, both in Australia and globally. Through our partnership with Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) and our own direct efforts, we have made tangible progress in demonstrating how skills-based pathways can serve as durable solutions for displaced people while addressing critical skills shortages.
2023 Pledge Summary
SSI is committed to advocating for the continuous expanding of labour mobility pathways both in Australia and globally. SSI will support Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) in their advocacy efforts and share our expertise to address skills shortages in specific sectors, such as aged care. Furthermore, SSI is dedicated our support for the settlement and integration of candidates and their families that arrive in Australia. As part of this commitment, SSI pledges to recruit and employ one candidate through TBB in 2024, whilst also collaborating with TBB to increase the number of candidates accessing labour mobility pathways from Asia and the Pacific region.
Progress update:
- Successfully recruited a candidate through Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) in 2025 and continue to provide comprehensive settlement and integration support.
- Supported 37 individuals and their families who arrived in Australia through skilled labour mobility pathways since 2022, providing settlement and integration services to ensure successful outcomes.
- SSI’s Diversity Training Department delivered training to employers recruiting through the program, building workforce capacity to welcome and support refugee talent effectively.
- Actively advocated for improved skills and qualifications recognition policies through the Activate Australia’s Skills advocacy campaign, centering the voices of refugees and people with lived experience
- Continue collaborating with TBB and sector partners to advocate for the scale-up of labour mobility pathways globally, demonstrating that complementary pathways benefit both host countries and displaced communities.
While we celebrate the substantial progress that SSI has made over the past two years, we recognise that there is still both opportunity and responsibility to do more. The scale of global displacement continues to demand increased ambition and collaboration from all stakeholders committed to durable solutions for refugees.
As we look toward the 2027 Global Refugee Forum, SSI remains committed to collaborating alongside sector partners to support the Australian Government in meeting its pledge of gradually increasing community sponsored and other complementary places to 10,000 per year over time, additional to the core humanitarian intake.
Drawing on our expertise in settlement, integration, and skills-based pathways, SSI stands ready to support the co-design and implementation of innovative solutions that deliver on this commitment while addressing Australia’s workforce needs.
On a global scale, SSI remains committed to deepening partnerships that amplify impact for displaced communities. Our collaboration with organisations like APRRN demonstrates the transformative potential of supporting locally-led initiatives, and we are actively seeking new partners to scale this progress. Looking ahead to 2027, SSI is considering new pledges that recognise the need for a whole-of-society approach to refugee protection and durable solutions.
Visit SSI International to learn more about our global work, or contact us to discuss partnership opportunities.
Carmen Ghaly
