Kelly T. Clements

Former Deputy High Commissioner, UN Refugee Agency. Awed by the human spirit. Humanitarian for a lifetime. Partnerships key. Dedicated to family and friends.

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

Mr. YAMADA’s commitment and compassion towards those forced to flee is a model not just in Japan but across the world. It was an honor to meet him recently in Tokyo. Arigato. @japanforunhcr

[国連UNHCR協会 @japanforunhcr]

「これは過去への評価ではなく、未来への��任」

UNHCR特別貢献者(Eminent Advocate)に任命された山田英生氏と、ケリー・クレメンツ国連難民副高等弁務官による特別対談。
難民支援に関わる理由、企業に期待される役割、そして一人ひとりにできることについて語り合いました。
https://t.co/Q5cUtQGmhF

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

The right to seek safety saves lives.

75 years after the Refugee Convention, the promise of protection for people forced to flee war, violence & persecution remains as important as ever.

Until everyone is safe, we will keep showing up.

#WorldRefugeeDay

@BarhamSalih @Refugees

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

Inspired choices by @antonioguterres to help @BarhamSalih lead @Refugees - Tressa, Anton and Edem bring drive to protect, aid & find solutions for those forced to flee with deep dedication, diverse & vast experience just when UNHCR and the UN need it most. A dynamite team!

[UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency @Refugees]

BREAKING:
Senior appointments to help lead UNHCR have been announced by SG @antonioguterres.

Tressa Rae Finerty will serve as Deputy High Commissioner.

@anton_leis as Assistant High Commissioner for Operations.

@EdemWosornu as Assistant High Commissioner for Protection.

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

Aid is not the end goal. Rohingya refugees want to go home when it is safe and voluntary. Thanks to our precious supporters of the #JointResponsePlan for helping to ensure partners - including many local and national orgs - have necessary resources to respond to basic needs.

[UNHCR in Bangladesh @UNHCR_BGD]

Rohingya don't want aid forever, but to return home safely & w/ dignity. Until then, the world can't forget them.

The Joint Response Plan launched last week is a united plan to support refugees & host communities

Listen to @KellyTClements👇

[UNHCR United States @UNHCRUSA]

UNHCR honors the life of Arthur "Gene" Dewey, former Deputy High Commissioner for @Refugees, humanitarian, public servant and advocate for refugees.

Across decades, he impacted the lives of forcibly displaced people globally.

We extend heartfelt condolences to his loved ones.

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

Eid Mubarak🙏

Millions of families are marking Eid far from home. Many are displaced across the Middle East.

In a time of conflict and uncertainty, the need for safety and solidarity has never been greater.

We stand with those forced to flee.

@Refugees

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

#RamadanKareem

[Voices #WithRefugees @VoicesWRefugees]

As the world welcomes the holy month, @KellyTClements , Deputy UN High Commissioner for Refugees, reminds us of the strength & resilience of refugee families observing Ramadan far from home. Your generosity brings warmth to their Iftar tables & hope during times of uncertainty.

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

Welcome @BarhamSalih - we look forward to your tenure as @UN High Commissioner for @Refugees - You have joined a remarkable team, doing remarkable work with many partners to protect, aid & find solutions for millions of uprooted and stateless people.

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

Today I begin my tenure as High Commissioner for @Refugees.

Guided by our shared humanity and legal mandate, we will work with our partners and host nations, to protect refugees, deliver durable solutions, and confront the displacement crises affecting millions of people.

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

Important message from my boss, outgoing @Refugees High Commissioner Filippo Grandi. With my wishes for peace, tolerance and solidarity for the 🌍 in 2026.

[Filippo Grandi @FilippoGrandi]

“… a crisis of global leadership, of failure of imagination and ambition, and a proliferation of populist rhetoric that is numbing us to the plight of others.”

Read my Christmas Day op-ed on the @nytimes 👇🏻

https://t.co/u0Jd0RmQ1O

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

Warm congratulations to @barhamsalih on his election as UN High Commissioner for @Refugees

His own history of displacement and his leadership at the highest level of government will strengthen our work to protect and find solutions for refugees everywhere.

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

I am honoured to have been elected as the incoming United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. As a former refugee, I know first-hand how protection and opportunity can change the course of a life. That experience will inform a leadership approach grounded in empathy, pragmatism, and a principled commitment to international law. My foremost responsibility will be to refugees and others forced to flee—upholding their rights and dignity and advancing durable solutions so that displacement remains a temporary situation, not a permanent fate.

At a time of record displacement and severe pressure on humanitarian resources, delivering on UNHCR’s mandate requires a renewed focus on impact, accountability, and efficiency. This is a shared responsibility. UNHCR will build on the important reforms undertaken in recent years to strengthen operational effectiveness and value for money. I will work with Member States and partners across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors to mobilize the capacity, resources, and collective will needed to reach those most in need.

I am grateful to the Secretary-General, António Guterres, and to the General Assembly for their confidence, and to High Commissioner Filippo Grandi for his principled and tireless leadership during a period of extraordinary global challenge.

I look forward to working closely with UNHCR’s dedicated staff, states, partners, host communities, and, most importantly, refugees themselves to advance protection and durable solutions fit for both the promise and the perils of the 21st century.

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

The Global #RefugeeForum Progress Review reminds us what truly matters: protection, solidarity and shared responsibility.

Progress is real: stronger asylum systems, more education and jobs, thousands of pledges turning into action.

Unity and collective action deliver results.

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

At UNHCR, our commitment to protecting people is our guiding light. It has been for 75 years now.

Refugees' rights guide our mission and we will persevere to protect them.

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

Congratulations to this year’s #NansenAward winners 👏

Your incredible courage and compassion are changing the lives of refugees around the world.

In a difficult year, you remind us what humanity at its best looks like.

https://t.co/0ztnBoOjEX

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

We don’t give up. Refugees role model that for us every day.

If we have means, we can protect lives & find solutions even in the most challenging places.

Grateful to donors who stepped up today at Pledging Conference with much-needed financial support. https://t.co/pQyVlDIRea

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

Grateful for the steadfast support from the people of 🇰🇷. Today’s policy dialogue with ROK counterparts reaffirmed our shared commitment to work together so that refugees and their hosts can rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
@MOFA_KR @MOFAkr_eng @geneva_korea

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

#KeepEyesOnSudan

Always.

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

Steadfast support & principled leadership on refugee protection & resettlement from 🇨🇦 in these challenging times helps UNHCR & partners respond to vast human needs. Merci/🙏🏼 for shared cmtt to safeguard lives, dignity & hope.

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

This week will stay with me. The destruction we witnessed, horrific stories we heard & resilience of people who should never have to face such hardship in #Sudan. Now is the time - #KeepEyesOnSudan. Millions of lives are at stake. They need peace.

[UNHCR News @RefugeesMedia]

“This is one of the worst protection crises we’ve seen in decades.” UNHCR @KellyTClements

Over 30 million people in Sudan need aid, 15 million children need support. UN agencies urge urgent global action

https://t.co/W6uRFLOL11

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

In Khartoum with @MPopowskiEU, we met women returnees and families affected by war that has devastated the city.
Every person has a story of loss, pain & hope. They are calling for peace & support to rebuild.
Scaling up humanitarian & development aid is crucial. #KeepEyesOnSudan

[Kelly T. Clements @KellyTClements]

EU = reliable partner in turbulent times & committed to a protection & solution agenda & ready to explore innovative funding to stabilize in unstable times. 🙏🏼 to EU partners for today’s dialogue.