The United Nations shone a spotlight on the worldwide migrant and refugee crisis this week as the global body held its first summit on refugees and migrants and issued a declaration that U.N. member states are committed to enhancing the protection of migrants and refugees.
U.N. leaders are calling the Sept. 19 summit and connected events -- including a meeting of global leaders called by President Barack Obama -- historic but also necessary given the record number of people moving because of wars, political unrest, economic challenges and climate change.
UNHCR, the U.N.'s refugee agency, said a record 65.3 million people were displaced last year, compared to 59.5 million the year before.
"Today's summit represents a breakthrough in our collective efforts to address the challenges of human mobility," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.
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