UN refugee boss to visit Australia

THE head of the United Nations‘ refugee agency will visit Australia later this month.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres will visit Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane from 12 to 15 February.

He will meet with Immigration Minister Chris Bowen, government officials, non-government organisations and community groups to discuss a range of issues affecting refugees and asylum seekers.

Mr Bowen said the visit was a valuable opportunity for Australia.

“I am pleased to welcome Mr Guterres and show him firsthand the role Australia continues to play in providing refugees with protection, resettling families in humanitarian need from around the world,” Mr Bowen said in a statement.

Mr Guterres, who last visited Australia in 2009, will deliver a speech to the Lowy Institute in Sydney on 14 February.