Iran’s Deputy Interior Minister Hossein Zolfaqari heads the country’s delegation in the 65th Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), which convenes from September 29 to October 3.
Delegates from around the world will be taking part in the annual meeting to review and approve the UN agency's programs and budget, advise on international protection and discuss a wide range of other issues with the UNHCR and its intergovernmental and non-governmental partners.
The Iranian official will also deliver a speech at the meeting to give a report on the considerable efforts Iran has devoted to help the foreign refugees, particularly Afghans.
Iran has hosted Afghan refugees since the late 1970s following the occupation of their country by the Soviet Union troops. Although many of those refugees have returned to their country voluntarily, there are still hundreds of thousands of documented and undocumented Afghans in Iran.