12 Pledges 2011 - Ministerial Intergovernmental Event on Refugees and Stateless Persons Special Treaty Event / UNHCR / Jean-Marc Ferré / 7 December 2011 Prior to the Ministerial Intergovernmental Event, the two Statelessness Conventions had long been under-subscribed and the phenomenon of statelessness had been largely absent from the global human rights agenda. Thanks to the momentum generated by the Ministerial Intergovernmental Event, there has been increased recognition of the need to tackle the world’s statelessness problem and a significant increase in the number of States that have acceded to one or both of the conventions. A total of 33 States pledged to accede to one or both of the statelessness instruments, and a number of them implemented their pledges almost immediately after the Ministerial Intergovernmental Event. Over forty States pledged to take other steps to address statelessness, including reform of their nationality laws. States participating in the Ministerial Intergovernmental Event adopted a Ministerial Communiqué, which is presented in Chapter I. The Communiqué reaffirms that the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol are the foundation of the international refugee protection regime and have enduring value and relevance in the 21st century. It recognizes that the 1961 and 1954 Statelessness Conventions provide important safeguards for the prevention and resolution of statelessness and standards for the protection of stateless people. The Communiqué also recognizes the importance of enhancing international solidarity, strengthening action in accordance with the principles enshrined in applicable instruments and finding durable solutions for the problems of refugees and stateless people.