Development banks, as well as states and other stakeholders, made financial commitments totaling more than $10 billion as part of the Global Refugee Forum, according to an initial analysis from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).

More than 3,000 participants attended this first gathering, ranging from representatives of governments, international financial organizations, business, civil society, and humanitarian and development organizations, as well as refugees themselves.

The substantial commitments they made included school places for refugee children, new government policies, resettlement, clean energy, infrastructure and better support for host communities and countries.

The private sector accounted for the widest range of commitments, with strong support for providing job opportunities for refugees, according to UNHCR.

Business groups pledged $250 million, while at least 15,000 jobs will be made available to refugees as will some 125,000 hours per year of free legal aid.  

Additionally, several countries-of-origin made commitments relating to the voluntary return and reintegration of refugees and other displaced communities.

UNHCR said further pledges are also expected, and indicators have been established to track progress and assess success, for example in jobs created, school places and reduction of poverty levels. 

The Global Refugee Forum is a key element of the Global Compact on Refugees, which the international community signed last December.  It calls for Global Refugee Forums to be held every four years.

A stock-taking meeting will take place in two years, and the second Global Refugee Forum is scheduled for late 2023.