ANTA Sports Pledges Continued Partnership with UNHCR for Next Three Years at Global Refugee Forum Midterm Review

The second Global Refugee Forum Midterm Review, held from December 15 to 17, concluded with over 30 new commitments, reaffirming the international community's solidarity and support for improving the lives of refugees and host communities.

New pledges announced during the event focused on long-term solutions, including refugee employment and education opportunities, voluntary and sustainable repatriation, and safe third-country resettlement pathways. Since the inaugural Global Refugee Forum in 2019, nearly 3,500 commitments have been made across 47 thematic and regional areas, involving over 1,300 stakeholders, including governments.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi emphasized the forum’s significance, stating, "This is the world’s most important refugee forum. Here, I heard a clear commitment from the international community to refugee protection and the right to seek asylum. While implementation methods evolve, these principles remain steadfast. Despite financial challenges this year, UNHCR’s resolve to uphold justice and rights remains unshaken."

Countries demonstrated continued leadership in refugee affairs. Syria pledged to support sustainable refugee repatriation after over a decade of crisis, while host nations like Lebanon committed to facilitating voluntary returns. Sweden vowed to enhance protection measures, ensuring refugees access safety and services locally. Germany reaffirmed support for humanitarian and development policies, backing social integration programs in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mauritania, alongside aid for Sudan and Syria.

The private sector introduced innovative initiatives. The Swiss-based Cardano Foundation leveraged blockchain to channel compliant investment returns into refugee aid. The U.S. fundraising partner "Women’s Commission" pledged $15 million for refugee higher education scholarships. The Grundfos Foundation committed $3 million to expand solar-powered water systems in refugee communities through its "Flow Project." Philanthropic partners, including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and Qatar Charity, pledged $10 million to the Global Islamic Refugee Fund.

As the first Chinese company to speak and pledge at the forum’s midterm review, ANTA SPORTS announced a three-year extension of its partnership with UNHCR, sustaining its international humanitarian project focused on sports and basic education to enhance safety, education, and well-being for displaced children.

Since 2023, ANTA SPORTS has supported UNHCR’s global "Primary Education" and "Sport for Protection" programs through its "Moving for Change" initiative. Over three years, the company has donated $1.5 million and over 1.2 million sportswear items to refugee camps in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Burundi via Chinese charities, benefiting 300,000 displaced youth.

Li Ling, Vice President of ANTA SPORTS, stated, "As a global enterprise, we align our CSR vision with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in poverty alleviation, health, education, and equality. Sports unite people beyond borders. In China, our programs have reached nearly 10 million youth. Now, we’re expanding this mission globally to bring hope and opportunity through sports."

Sports organizations also contributed: World Athletics pledged support for refugee athletes preparing for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics and 2027 World Championships, while LIV Golf launched a "dual investment model" aiding displaced populations with protection, education, health, and sports integration programs.

Refugees actively shaped solutions, advocating for greater involvement in global resettlement policies. Over 250 refugees and displaced persons participated in the review, ensuring their perspectives remained central to discussions.

Co-hosted by UNHCR and Switzerland, with support from Colombia, France, Japan, Jordan, and Uganda, the event gathered nearly 1,500 participants from 150 countries, including senior officials, international organizations, civil society, and private sector leaders.