Commemorating 75 Years of the 1951 Refugee Convention

Good morning, everybody. It is so good to see you. Congratulations for making it through security. I'm going to ask you to find a chair and sit in that chair. The time it takes for you to find your chair and sit in your chair is the time it will take for me to start our program. So if you're standing up, it means that our program cannot begin. And I know that as a community who cares about refugees, who wants to have our full event time, you will very quickly sit down. Excellent. Celebrating 75 years of the 1951 Refugee Convention. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, special guests, online viewers, you are so welcome to the UNHCR high level event. We are here because we have humanity. You could be anywhere in UNHQ today, anywhere in New York, marking UNGA, but you chose to be here in the ECOSOC chamber. I will give you 30 seconds to turn to your neighbor and tell them why it was so important that you were here today, right now. 30 seconds, go ahead. Now, the only trouble with giving you 30 seconds is ending the 30 seconds on time. I've given myself my own challenge. As you complete your sentences and conclude them, thank you. So many reasons to be here. My name is Femi Oke. I am your emcee for the next 90 minutes. It's such a timely time for us to come together. The level of displacement for refugees around the world is historic. We want to salute the courage and the strength of people who have to leave their homes, not because they want to, because they have to. We want to find out how we can strengthen refugee protection and also come up with solutions for our growing communities. of refugees. That is a lot to do in 90 minutes. But, speakers, this is for you. Please be brief, but brilliant. You don't need a lot of time to be brilliant, and you need not much time to be brief. I will tell you what will happen, speakers, if you speak longer than your allotted time. You will speak like this, and then suddenly we will notice that And the microphone will go. So don't be that person who is miming to the echo sock chamber. And with that warning and with great warmth, I say let's go back 75 years to find out the history of how we got here and how that refugee convention is as timely and as relevant as ever. Let's take a look at the screen.

My father was killed, my mother and I survived, and very few others.

1945, in the aftermath of the Second World War and the horrors it revealed.

Over 40 million people lost their lives. Over 50 million were forced to flee into exile. We wound up in a refugee camp.

In December 1950, The UN General Assembly created the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Later that year, governments adopted the 1951 Refugee Convention. It was a promise that people forced to flee would be protected. And in the decades that followed, that promise would be tested again and again. These are not abstract ideals. They are legal and moral safeguards forged by the nations of the world, united in a simple belief, a promise that if you are forced to flee your home, swept up in the cruel tide of history, there will be help.

The world today still has refugees who are in desperate need of help.

The UN Refugee Agency works for solutions.

That gives that essential assistance to the refugees of today. Work, education, and ability to apply for an eventual place to live and flourish and to contribute to the future of the world, as it did to me, to lead them to a better life.

The stories of refugees will be central to our program today. I'm going to tell you about Toussaint Tshisa, who at five years old had to leave the Democratic Republic of Congo and flee to Uganda. In that journey, he was separated by his parents at just five years old. In Uganda, he lived in a UNHCR camp. where he sang. He went to church and he sang, and it was music and singing that kept him going, that comforted him. Today, he is a Goodwill Ambassador. He's a Congolese-Swedish Goodwill Ambassador, and we welcome him to the stage to speak, to perform. And you know that little plastic ear thing that doesn't look particularly attractive, but hangs off the end of your ear? If you want to hear the singing you're about to hear nice and clearly, just hook it over your ear and you'll be able to hear Tucson in full glory. Tucson, the audience will applaud you.

Welcome.

Thank you. I would like to begin by kindly asking you to close your eyes, please. And I want you to do a simple thing. I want you to imagine an ordinary day in your everyday life. Now, don't choose the best moment or memory, nor the worst, just an everyday moment with the people who are closest to you. For me, I would say my family, it's my mom and my dad. I'm outside, I'm playing football all by myself. And I can hear my mom's voice calling for me. She's screaming my name from the kitchen. I'm so excited because I'm hungry and she's calling from the kitchen. So I run up to her. Sadly, I'm disappointed by finding out that she hasn't even started with the food. She just wants a hand in the kitchen. So I start crying. I'm about five years old. And I say, mom, I'm hungry. My mother gives me slightly an angry look and she takes my hand. She says, Toussaint, whenever you're hungry, just take your pinky, put it in your mouth and bite it off. And if you're still hungry, eat your middle finger. And if you're still not full, just go ahead and eat your whole hand. She looks me in the eyes and she bites my finger and we both burst into laughter. Now imagine in this moment, in this normal moment, imagine it turning into the worst moment of your life. The gunshots getting closer. Imagine strangers entering your home and grabbing your people one by one. This, this is my first memory and my worst memory. When the armed men took my mother and my father, I can still remember my mom telling me to run. No, she was screaming, "Run." She told me to run. and never come back home again. Don't you stand there, run and never come back home again. Mama said, mama said, don't ever come back again. Don't ever come back again. Don't ever come back, come back, come back again. Don't just stand there and don't just stand there and don't just stand there. What would you do if the soldiers came walking in? What would you do if they pointed a revolver at your mama right on? In the moment I needed you Mama said, she told me to run And never come back home again Don't you stand there, run And never come back home again Mama said, mama said Don't ever come back again Don't ever come back again Don't ever come back, come back come back again. Don't just stand there and don't just stand there and don't just stand there. What would you do if you were pushed away? Who would you trust if you're thrown into a trailer like human cargo? In the moment, I needed you. Mama said, she told me to run and never come back home again. Don't just stand there, run and never come back home again. Mama said, mama said, don't ever come back again. Don't ever come back again. Don't ever come back, come back, come back again. Don't just stand there, run. Don't just stand there, run. Don't just stand there.

Just run.

Thank you.

I have never been in this echo-chamber and seen people cry. This is why we bring refugee stories to the center of everything the UNHCR does, because only hearing about that little boy when he was five and the story with his mom really brings it home why we have to do the work that we do. UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and actor, Gugu Mbatha-Raw. You're very welcome. Good morning.

Thank you, Femi, and thank you, Tusan, for that incredible performance. It is an honor to be here with so many distinguished speakers and delegates. When I was in Chad with UNHCR on the border of Sudan, I saw refugees arriving exhausted and traumatized. Ordinary people who had fled the terrible war ravaging their country. I met Hassani, who traveled for 16 days before she reached a refugee reception center. Her father died along the way. I met Samira, breastfeeding her baby under her shawl, mourning her husband who had been killed. But I also met Mayaz, an inspiring, aspiring medical student who asked me not to forget about her. I made a promise. that I would remember her and her dreams for her young life. Excellencies, the Refugee Convention is a promise. A promise that people forced to flee war, violence, and persecution can seek and find protection. Hassani, Samira, Mayas, courageous, determined, wonderful women need and deserve that protection, as do millions of others today. But the Convention is not just about seeking safety. It is also about opportunity, about basic rights, the right to an education, to earn a living, to have a roof over your head, to live a life of dignity and hope. The settlements I visited in Chad were homes of sand and straw. In some areas, there was little or no electricity at night. Medical care, going to school, having a job, the things many of us take for granted were few and far between. Yet, because Chad, one of the world's least developed countries, was welcoming so many people in need, there was sanctuary, a respite from the violence. Yet still, the psychological scars remained. But there was courage. For it takes courage to heal, to rebuild, to find a way forward. And there was hope. And that is thanks to the promise of the Convention. We cannot honor that promise without more support, not in full, not as we must. We need everyone to recommit and take action. We need compassion instead of indifference, hard work instead of neglect. I hope that you will join me in affirming your support for the Refugee Convention. Young women like Mayas, are counting on you. It is now my honor to introduce UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Bahram Saleh, to welcome you. High Commissioner, the floor is yours.

Thank you so very much. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues, refugees, partners, and friends, welcome and thank you for joining us on this event as we mark the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. 75 years ago, in the aftermath of the Second World War, nations came around a simple but profound principle, that people who are forced to leave their homes should not be left without protection. That principle became the Refugee Convention. For three-quarters of a century, it has provided safety, rights, and hopes for millions. It has delivered for humanity. Today, however, displacement is rising, conflicts are multiplying, lasting longer, and placing immense strain on the humanitarian systems and resources. In this environment, the Convention is not less relevant. It is as relevant as ever, if not more. But this anniversary cannot be simply about celebrating the past. It must be about renewing our commitment for the future. Across the world, from Sudan to Ukraine, from Myanmar to the Sahel, people continue to flee violence and instability. Humanitarian organizations can save lives and protect those forced to flee, but we cannot end the conflicts that drive displacement. That requires political leadership. Refugees are not the cause of displacement. They are its consequence. I know something about that from my own personal life. I was once forced to flee my own country. I know what it means to lose your home, your community, and your future. But I also know full well what it means when another country opens its doors, offers you the opportunity to rebuild your lives. That experience taught me a lasting lesson. Protection is essential, but protection alone is not enough. Most refugees do not want to remain refugees. They want peace, opportunity, and a future for their children. Above all, most want to return home safely, voluntarily and with dignity when conditions allow. That is why, Excellencies, colleagues, peace remains the most important solution to displacement. Every conflict prevented, every ceasefire sustained, every peace agreement honoured is ultimately a humanitarian achievement. While conflicts persist, We must also help refugees build meaningful lives where they are. That means education, jobs, and opportunity. It means supporting host nations and communities, and it means bringing together humanitarian actors, development institutions, international financial institutions, and the private sector to expand self-reliance and solutions. That is why UNHCR is placing renewed emphasis on solutions through our 50 by 35, working with government and partners and refugees themselves to help resolve some of the world's most protracted refugee situations by 2035. Because success should not be measured only by the number of people we assist. it should be measured by the number of people who no longer need our assistance because they have found a solution. At the same time, I want to emphasize the need to preserving the integrity of the asylum system, protecting the asylum system, including from abuse. The right to seek asylum remains a cornerstone of international protection. It must remain accessible to those who genuinely need it and credible in the eyes of the public. The Convention has endured for 75 years because it speaks to both law and humanity. Its message is simple. When people are forced to flee, they should not be left alone. But preserving that promise requires more than just words. It requires us to protect those forced to flee, support those who host them, invest in inclusion, self-reliance, and solutions, and summon the political courage needed to prevent and resolve conflicts that drive displacement. 75 years after the convention was adopted, the question is not whether its principles still matter. The question is whether we still have the determination to uphold them. I believe we do. And if we match that vision of those who created this convention 75 years ago, the future generations may look back on our time, not as an era that merely managed displacement, but as one that worked to resolve it. Thank you so very much for your attendance, ladies and gentlemen.

The next part of our program takes us into exploring the work of the Convention and why it is important. Leading this part of the program is a professional who has a multi-hyphenate name and title that I so admire. These two together, you're almost unstoppable. Journalist, humanitarian, Anne Curry.

Me. Okay, thank you so much for your kind comments and greetings to every one of you here in this room. So, 75 years after the 1951 Convention, does the world have the collective will, determination, as we just heard, to keep its promise to people running from war, conflict, and persecution? with more than 117 million people now displaced, double the number a decade ago, and 40% of them children. We have on the dais more distinguished guests with deep knowledge and vast experience who can help us think about this challenge to our own humanity, including the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Judith Suminwa, Taluca, and Ousmane Dion, the World Bank's Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and the Pakistan region. First, let's hear questions from the largest single group of people forced to run for their safety, children, recorded for you here now on videotape.

My name is Akate Biresa, I'm from Ethiopia, I was born in My question is, who is responsible?

For making sure that my dream are not limited by the place I was born.

My name is Dalia. I'm 22 years old. I was forced to flee Ukraine to Moldova in 2022. And my question is, what can be done to ensure that young refugees' experiences and professional degrees are recognized in their new countries?

My name is Noura Ibrahim. I fled the war in Sudan with my family. I want to be a doctor in the future, but girls here are always being kept at home. My question to the world leaders, how will you ensure that refugee girls will not just be safe, but they will have support and build their future?

My name is Michelle. I'm 20 years old, and my family and I had to leave Venezuela for Peru when I was a child. As a young refugee, I want to have the chance to work grow, develop my skills, and give back to the country that welcomed us. What can governments do to make sure more young refugees like me have those same opportunities?

So, I think that this is a very important question, because today, I am a 16-year-old refugee, who actually lives in Morocco, and I have been here for 11 years, and what I used to do is.

That they go and listen and learn.

Parent in these questions is the intense drive of refugees to rise and become self-sufficient, to work in all capacities, including as doctors and lawyers and teachers and technologists, yearning to contribute so that more might do what Ukrainian refugees have already done in increasing the GDP of Poland. Recently, I met a college graduate, Abir, languishing in a camp in South Sudan, who is now even more driven since becoming a refugee to finish law school, to not just become a lawyer, but to become a judge. So, President Van der Bellen, Austria has been a long-time supporter of the UN's refugee agency as a founding member and as a donor, as well as a host country. Mr. President, you have the floor.

High Commissioner, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the issue of displacement and refuge has a personal dimension also for me. I'm an old man now, but I'm the child of refugees. My father came from Russia. My mother was Estonian, also living in Russia before the October Revolution. 1918, we first fled to Tallinn in Estonia. 1940, when Stalin again was knocking at the door, to Vienna. And 1945, when Soviet troops were approaching Vienna, to the west of Austria, and I was brought up in the Tyrolean mountains. still with Estonian citizenship. Austria gave my family shelter, security, and opportunities. At that time, there was no comprehensive international asylum system as we know it today. It was, as you know, only in 1951 that the Geneva Refugee Convention established a foundation for such a system, providing protection and security to millions of people ever since. In a world experiencing a record number of armed conflicts, the Convention remains highly relevant. And as representatives of states, we should use this anniversary to remind ourselves of our responsibilities. People do not choose to become refugees. Asylum is not charity. It is a right, a fundamental human right. And as politicians, we should be very clear about this. Too often, we lose sight of what the issue of migration, refugees, and asylum is about. It's about people, their rights, and their dignity. To mark this anniversary, my wife, Doris and I met refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Ukraine in Salzburg, in Austria, at the end of July. They shared their personal stories with us, and it soon became clear for every single one of them, the Geneva Refugee Convention had an impact on their lives. Today, they make an enormous contribution to my country, to our country, and our conversations reminded us how much host countries can benefit when they welcome people into their communities and give them the opportunity to thrive. We are proud in Austria that UNHCR has been the longest serving UN organization in Austria and that today it is one of the most important implementing partners of Austrian humanitarian assistance. And as an incoming member of the UN Security Council, Austria will do its utmost to contribute to peace and security to addressing the root causes of displacement and to upholding international humanitarian law. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Mr. President. We have just been informed that the Secretary General is interested in joining us. He This is significant, of course, during this -- on this extraordinary day, during this very busy week at UNGA, so -- which is, of course, a reason why he cannot stay for very long. So we're going to take a pause in our program so that we might be able to hear from the Secretary General about the subject at hand, especially remembering that he has long been a humanitarian champion. Indeed, I actually first met him in a refugee camp in Jordan for Syrian refugees. He's a man of, I can say personally, having witnessed it, great compassion. So as I understand it, he should be arriving at any moment. Before he arrives, as we are waiting, I just want to also say that it is remarkable, I think, to all of us, Mr. High Commissioner, that you, as a former refugee, sitting next to the President of Austria, who is now connected really as someone himself who has escaped fled for safety. The two of you having risen to this moment here is really something I think we should all applaud. Let us, I think, now welcome the Secretary General of the United Nations. Mr. Secretary General, thank you so much for joining us. Oh, he does, in his bones. Mr. Secretary General, you now have the floor.

Excellencies, dear High Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen. Our world has entered an era of profound turbulence, and refugees are paying an unbearable price. We see geopolitics fracturing, divisions deepening, dialogue faltering, international law violated, human rights trampled, and conflict spreading. Across continents, people are forced to flee in staggering numbers. Fleeing from Sudan, from Ukraine, from Myanmar, and beyond. They must be able to reach safety and get a real chance to rebuild their lives. These needs are not new. The moral duty to offer protection to those fleeing danger is reflected in sacred texts and religious teachings around the world. The international community codified this tenet after the Second World War, where it affirmed the right to seek asylum and enshrined the obligation to protect people fleeing conflict or persecution in the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. These treaties have spelled the difference between life or death for millions. They are cornerstones of international refugee law and a clear expression of our common humanity. They are as necessary today as when they were written. And we must heed their timeless message: no backtracking, no exceptions. Now is the time for renewed solidarity and robust action for all those displaced by conflict or persecution, as well as the countries and communities hosting them. That means adhering to international refugee law and human rights law, safeguarding the right to seek asylum, including the principle of non-refoulement, and rejecting policies that penalize people for seeking safety, externalize protection responsibilities, or make protection conditional on race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, political opinion, or route of arrival. It means ensuring humanitarian access, pursuing stronger international cooperation and responsibility sharing, and forging solutions that let refugees live in safety and dignity, with meaningful opportunities for inclusion, self-reliance, and a secure future. and it means redoubling efforts to make and build peace. Excellencies, developing countries host nearly three-quarters of the world's refugees. I will never forget the generosity I witnessed while serving as High Commissioner for Refugees. The generosity of host communities, who had precious little themselves, yet welcomed strangers in need, providing refuge and strengthening regional stability. The rest of the world should follow their example. That requires far more international support, not steep and short-sighted cuts, and I commend the UNHCR and its personnel for continuing to deliver despite a massive decline in resources. It also requires closer integration of humanitarian and development assistance, including a sharper focus on refugee inclusion from the outset of an emergency. And it requires stronger local leadership, with host countries, host communities, and refugees playing a central role in shaping priorities and informing policies. As we mark the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention, I call on all Member States to reaffirm its enduring relevance and fulfill its solemn promise. I urge you to choose diplomacy over division, solidarity over narrow self-interest, and humanity over indifference. I also appeal to development banks, the private sector, civil society, and other partners. You all have critical roles to play. Together, we can protect the rights of all people forced to flee, now and for generations to come. And I thank you.

Thank you, Secretary General, for your remarks and for all you have done and have tried to do as a force for good in the world. We know you cannot stay. You have so much happening today. Thank you so much for this time today. Oh, so you can stay a little longer? Oh, a few minutes. Okay. All right, then. I'm not going to push you out the door. We're glad to have you. Let us then continue with our program, and let me turn now to the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Prime Minister Tshisekese. She leads a nation that has millions of people internally displaced, in addition to people who have fled from other countries. Madam Prime Minister, you now have the floor.

Thank you, President of Austria, Secretary-General of the United Nations, High Commissioner for Refugees, and ladies and gentlemen. At this commemorative date, as we celebrate the 75th year anniversary of the Convention on the Status of Refugees, I reaffirm the commitment of my country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the principles of the Convention and to the fact that everyone who has the right to have it should be given asylum in third-party countries. All of us have noted persistent conflicts, and these have had an impact on enforced displacement, especially in Africa and in the east of my country, the DRC. This is due to the Rwandan aggression and the acts provoked by a number of armed groups. We have more than 1 million refugees in adjoining areas, and we have many displaced persons. What's more, we're hosting over 50,000 refugees within our country as well. As was indicated by the High Commissioner, forced displacement is the outcome of a lack of peace, and very often, displacement causes major humanitarian crises. I'll give you an example today. There's an Ebola crisis in the east of the DRC. And this crisis is much deeper and much worse in refugee and displaced persons camps in places that have to deal with conflict and war and that are currently undergoing the Ebola epidemic. And we need to intervene as quickly as possible here as is being done now. And here, I would like to call for international solidarity, this so that more resources can be provided to alleviate these humanitarian emergencies, which, as I've just said, a humanitarian emergency makes a population very weak and vulnerable to other crises that could happen at the same time. So we all need to close ranks in order to address these situations. To do so, we must necessarily reestablish peace, ensure development cooperation as well among various countries. By way of conclusion, I want to say that in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we support a comprehensive approach grounded in the peace humanitarian development nexus, because this is the best way to reach populations that are affected. and also to allow them to reintegrate towards sustainable development. I thank you.

Madam Prime Minister, thank you so much. Mr. Ousmane Dion, a vice president at the World Bank, which has long responded with resources and data for the displaced and host communities, we welcome you. Mr. Dion, you have the floor. Before actually you speak, might I now, I've just gotten a note, Mr. Secretary General, that you might need to leave. And I don't want to be in trouble for pushing you out the door, so I'm making it very clear that because you have a lot going on. Thank you so much to the Secretary General for being here today. And of course, we wish you all good luck in what you're doing. Mr. Ousman, thank you so much. Mr. Ousman Dionne, thank you so much for being here, speaking for how the World Bank is looking at the challenge before us. You have the floor, sir.

Thank you. Thank you very much. High Commissioner, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, a very good morning. What we heard from Akwassa, Dalia, Noura, Michelle, and Rafa, young refugees, like all young people around the world, share the same aspirations to learn, work, strive, and build a promising future for themselves. and their families. No one chooses to become a refugee. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that displacement does not define a person's future and that refugees have a genuine opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity, hope, and economic opportunity. Turning this responsibility into a result require policies that move beyond short-term assistance and focus on long-term inclusion and opportunity. Let me highlight three main points. First, create pathways to jobs and economic opportunities. When refugees are allowed to study, work, start business, and participate in the economy, they move from dependence to self-reliance. More importantly, they gain the dignity that comes with shaping their own future and the opportunity to contribute to the countries that have welcomed them. And the opportunity of having the President of the Republic of Austria is a standing example. This is why long-term policies that expand access to job, education, strengthen social safety nets, and promote entrepreneurship can be transformative. Working closely with government, host communities, and the private sector, we can all together develop integrated solutions that foster meaningful inclusion and unlock the potential of young refugees. Second, refugees inclusion is an opportunity. Many refugee situation last far longer than anyone hopes. Young people cannot put their lives on hold while waiting for solutions. That is why refugees should be included from the outset in national education systems, in labor markets, and community life. This helps refugees become active contributors rather than remaining dependent on assistance. Refugee inclusion is therefore not only the right things to do, it is also the smartest investment leaders can make for long-term development and shared prosperity. Third, bring the private sector much more squarely into the solution. Government can create right policies and enabling environment, and development institutions can provide financing and technical support. But ultimately, sustainable jobs are created by growing businesses and functioning markets. The private sector can be a powerful engine for opportunity. And this is what we are trying to do, combining the World Bank Group's public and private toolbox. To conclude, young people are not defined by displacement. They are defined by their aspirations, their resilience, their potential, and the hope for a better future, as we have seen. So our responsibility, our common responsibility as development leaders is to ensure that that potential is not lost, that hope carry on for a better future for everyone. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Mr. Dionne. We are now graced with the presence of a woman who escaped war. and rose from a refugee camp to found a successful educational program that enables students in camps to become students in universities. She is also a UNHCR Global Goodwill Ambassador. She is making her way, so I'm going to babble here for just one more second. She is also stunningly beautiful. Please welcome And I can keep talking, Mary. She's also a friend, so I can say all this. Mary Maker, you have the floor.

Thank you. I grew up in Kakuma refugee camp. Standing in this room feels surreal because for me, the halls of the United Nations are something you see on the news or in a movie. I'm here to speak about the Refugee Convention, not as a diplomat or a lawyer, but because I've lived it. The Convention is complex, carefully crafted words, dried ink on paper that became the foundation of refugee law. But for me, for my sisters, for more than 41 million displaced refugees, it's incredibly simple. It is the promise that reached us in a place tucked away from the world. It is my mother finding safety for her children. It is my uncles, my aunties digging up dreams that I had buried just to escape the sounds of gunshots. It is Kenya, a place where I felt the hospitality, a place where I was made to feel human. It was my way of fighting or having a fighting chance in a classroom. I am the child who lived what books documented and what no photographs can hold. More than 20 years, 20 years of having to make case of why I matter. Today, I co-lead Alimisha Kakuma, a refugee-led organization, and it works. It works because it is refugee-led, because we know where the shoe pinches the most. The safety promise in the Refugee Convention is simply dried ink on paper and less. unless we continue to keep it alive, which means more refugee kids in school, less mothers lying awake at night, more opportunities, more self-reliance, more humanity. So I ask you today, don't treat the convention like simple words on paper. Seek advice from refugee-led organizations. Open the doors to higher education. Put refugees in decision-making roles and fund us. Fund the work we are already doing, because that is how a promise really becomes safety. Thank you.

Merry-maker, thank you. And with that, the floor is now open to member states who have inscribed on the speakers list. I've been asked to call on delegations in order according to a strict protocol. with each delegation given one minute and 30 seconds to allow for as many as possible to speak. To that end, there is a timer and microphones will begin to flash at about 60 seconds, actually exactly at 60 seconds, and then cut off at a minute and 30 seconds. and we ask the organizers ask that all delegations please submit their statements to the dedicated UNHCR webpage whether you've been able to speak or not. We are going to begin with the delegate from the United Kingdom.

Excellencies, High Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I speak to you today as the proud son of refugees My parents came to the United Kingdom as Jewish refugees before and after the second world war. My father took one of the last boats out of Belgium. My mother was in hiding in Poland during the war, lost her father and many relatives, and came after the war. Britain gave them sanctuary and the chance to build a better life. Their story shows the contribution that refugees can make, and taught me that international protection means dignity and hope. It is a particular honour to represent the United Kingdom at this session today. The promise that was made to my parents matters as much today as it did 75 years ago. However, conflict, climate change and instability are driving record displacement, and fragmented responses fail those who need protection and leave refugee-hosting countries carrying too much of the burden. High Commissioner, you have called for asylum systems to work better, and you are absolutely right. If systems are too slow, too open to abuse or too weak to enforce, they risk losing public confidence. But the answer is not to weaken the convention, it is to strengthen the international system around it. That requires reform based on shared responsibility, cooperation and fairness. Reform that protects those at risk supports host communities, enables refugees to thrive, and swiftly returns those with no right to stay.

Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. And now the delegate from Bulgaria.

Your Excellencies. I have to say that after the artistic performance of Mr. Toussaint Shiza, I was deeply touched, and now suddenly my speech doesn't seem to make as good a case as he did, but still allow me to say that Bulgaria reaffirms the enduring importance of the Convention. In a world facing protracted displacement, armed conflicts, and circumstances compelling people to seek protection across borders, Bulgaria remains committed to upholding the dignity, rights, and security of those forced to flee. We support the UNHCR 50 by 35 initiative, which aims to reduce prolonged refugee dependency on humanitarian assistance by promoting development-oriented approaches. As a country situated at the external border of the European Union, we are particularly mindful of the importance of effective international and regional cooperation. We value solidarity and shared responsibility in addressing displacement. We are working to fully implement the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. This common EU approach effectively addresses the challenges related to the management of migration processes and the provision of international protection. The principles enshrined in the Refugee Convention remain as essential today as they were 75 years ago. We reaffirm our commitment to these guiding principles and will work constructively to ensure an effective.

Thank you so much. And now the delegate from Luxembourg.

Thank you so much to give me the the opportunity to say something. When we say that we want to celebrate, I cannot celebrate something like this. I'm so sorry to tell you, I was Prime Minister and now Minister of Foreign Affairs, and when I last visited Malawi, and they had a camp for 15,000 people where 60,000 people lives together, and they don't know even if they will have food or not for the families. And imagine, and President Van der Bellen, I really enjoyed your statement because I felt like my own history. I remember when I heard that my great-grandfather had to flee from Russia in 1917, and he's buried in Cyprus, but on the site where I'm not able to visit him, and that he died by typhus during. And so just realize one minute in your life that you have half an hour, an hour to pack your life together in a plastic bag, not knowing where you go. And so when people think that it's a choice to be refugee, it's people, they don't look for having a better life, they try to survive. And so I'm very proud that my country signed yesterday also, again, an agreement with you to give the financial support and also that we work together on the innovation accelerator with Luxembourg. And you can count on us. We should realize how lucky we are, but mostly we forget it.

Thank you so much. And now the representative, the delegate from Moldova.

Commissioner, Excellencies, it is a real honor for us to be able to honor the Refugee Convention and the 75th anniversary. For the Republic of Moldova, we have not been known historically to be a destination for refugees, but this all changed in February 2022. Since then, the Republic of Moldova welcomed more than 2 million refugees through the Republic of Moldova in a country of only 2.5 million. We have welcomed on a constant basis about 140,000 Ukrainians, women, children, elderly, which is about 5% of Moldova's population. We've provided temporary protection measures, access to labor market, health care, education, everything we could possibly provide. Because for us, this war is not abstract. This is very personal. This is a moral thing to do. And this is also Moldova's support for Ukraine's integrity and security. At the same time, in this day and age, we should remain united in supporting international humanitarian law and not allowing these terrible tragedies to happen. The thing that I'm most proud of, that in Moldova, the aggressor wasn't able to divide our society and to turn the host country against the refugees. We remain united in our solidarity, in our unity, in our empathy with the support of the Ukrainian refugees and refugees everywhere. Thank you.

Thank you so much. And now the delegate from Mauritania.

Thank you. I would like to refer to the United Nations Convention that it represents a promise. It offers possibility, and it calls for solidarity. I am sad because we're not speaking of the tragic situation in the Sahel, and I recall that in this and that region, a high percentage of terrorists are in that region, and we're not speaking about that here. speak about the reality in my country, which has a policy of welcoming refugees and which has suffered a twofold shock, territorial and resource-like. And we do believe in humanitarian responses, including collective responses from host communities in a country, the second largest city in addition to its capital.

Thank you so much. I'm so sorry, but we're out of time. Thank you so much. And now let us go to the delegate from Syria.

Thank you. Thank you very much, Madam. Seventy-five years ago, And immediately in the aftermath of a destructive world war, the world made a simple promise. When people are forced to flee because their homeland is no longer safe, they need to find a place to protect them. For me, this is not a theory. I have lived displacement 15 years ago on In 2011, I was displaced and I emigrated to Turkey and I lived in a camp for seven years. This convention protected me and my country. That's why I live both sides of this. Convention. History must make us more humble. At one point, Europeans fled war zones and found refuge in Syria. In post-World War II, Aleppo received refugees from Greece. In recent years, Syrians sought refuge in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Europe, Canada, as well as many other places in the world. History changes paths, and some of us might need protection tomorrow. This does not mean that our migration systems are problem-free or that should not manage their borders. This is part of their responsibility, but managing migration effectively and protecting refugees are not mutually exclusive concepts. We must build and we can build just effective and humanitarian systems without giving up on the basic principle of protection. Concomitantly, protection must lead to solutions. And the microphone is cut.

So much. I'm so sorry to interrupt you and really appreciate your comments, sir. Thank you. And now the European Union on behalf of 27 member states.

Thank you. This anniversary must be a call for action to strengthen our collective responsibility and renew our commitment to the institutions of high asylum. The European Union and its Member States reaffirm their unwavering commitment to the Convention, its core values and principles, and to UNHCR as its primary guardian. The EU provides temporary protection to more than 4.8 million people fleeing Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. and leads humanitarian response from Sudan to Syria, Myanmar, and beyond. We will continue to shoulder our responsibilities, hosting refugees, supporting other host countries, promoting sustainable solutions, and strengthening the UN system. Today's movements are increasingly complex. People fleeing persecution travel the same routes as others moving for different reasons, while being highly vulnerable to transnational criminal networks. These journeys cost lives and make it harder to reach those in need of protection. A route-based approach addresses these challenges by identifying vulnerabilities early, supporting fair and swift protection for those entitled to it and preventing irregular migration. By doing so, it should guard against abuses of the asylum system built only for those fleeing persecution. Defending the Convention means defending its integrity. We remain committed to upholding international protection standards while helping adapt the system to the current realities. Thank you.

Thank you so much. And now the delegate from Brazil.

Excellencies, I thank the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for convening this event, which Brazil is honored to co-sponsor, marking the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. The Convention is the cornerstone of the international refugee protection regime. Yet, this milestone comes at a time of profound challenges.

Rising forced displacement, armed conflicts, violence and persecution, coupled with restrictive asylum policies and a severe humanitarian funding crisis.

Threaten the international protection system precisely when needs are greater than ever.

Palestinian refugees must not be forgotten.

Attacks against humanitarian personnel and restrictions on humanitarian operations are unacceptable and unlawful. UNRWA must be able to operate safely and effectively. Brazil's experience with Operacao Acolhida, a humanitarian task force to receive and support refugees and migrants from Venezuela, demonstrate that inclusion and access to public policies foster durable solutions. We reaffirm our support.

Thank you so much. Thank you so much, sir. I'm so sorry to interrupt. Thank you. And now the delegate from France.

Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, there are millions of people displaced throughout the world. And we know that their suffering is alleviated by the 1951 Convention. The principle of non-refoulement is not to be negotiated. Protection to refugees is not to be negotiated. It's not only a matter of our collective security, but also we must recognize that there is a financial crisis. The High Commissioner has referred to essential reforms in the context of financing and humanitarian financing. We must think of the long term, and unfortunately, the standards are not there. We must think of emergency responses. At present, we have an incredible situation of humanitarian crisis. France will be present, and we're thinking about the Middle East, the DRC, and I can continue. But this is a personal commitment, which I have taken visiting countries this year. Lebanon is a case. And however, despite the situation, it generously receives refugees.

Thank you. Thank you so much. I'm so sorry to interrupt you. Thank you so much. And now the delegate from Canada.

Thank you, Mercy. 75 years ago, governments came together after the devastation of the Second World War and agreed on a basic principle.

People forced to flee persecution should have a safe place to go.

This anniversary is a reminder that protecting refugees is a shared responsibility, especially in an increasingly challenging and global context with limited resources. The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol remain the foundation of international refugee protection. Canada reaffirms its commitment to both and thanks the UNHCR for its unwavering commitment to upholding them. But this anniversary also presents a moment to reflect on how the world has changed and how that global responsibility must be exercised differently. The Global Compact on Refugees has broadened how we engage stakeholders to support host countries, promote self-reliance for refugees, and expand pathways to sustainable and long-term solutions. And we support UNHCR's 50 by 35 vision, which calls on us to level up our ambition to achieve solutions for half of these in protracted displacement by 2035. In fact, Canada is leading country globally on third country refugee settlement, offering displaced people a permanent place to rebuild their.

Thank you so much, sir. And now the delegate from Turkey.

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, Turkey takes particular pride in being one of the first countries to sign the 1951 Refugee Convention. The core principles of the convention are still relevant, yet the environment has changed considerably. We are dealing with displacement situations that are larger, more complex, and protracted, there is increasing pressure on host countries. Turkey has been facing this reality for more than 15 years. Hosting almost 2.2 million Syrians, Turkey is among the leading refugee-hosting countries in the world. Our experiences clearly shows that refugee protection is an international responsibility. The burden that comes with large-scale and prolonged displacement cannot be left to host countries. Solidarity with refugees must be matched by solidarity with the refugee-hosting countries. Voluntary, safe, dignified, and orderly returns, as well as resettlement, remain essential. On the other hand, The rise of xenophobia, hate speech and racist attitudes towards refugees and migrants must be condemned and prevented. Turkey is committed to working with UNHCR, Member States and all relevant partners to uphold the principles of international law.

Thank you so much. Thank you. And now the delegate from Germany.

Thank you very much. For my country, the Convention is an important legal instrument, and it is an expression of the historical lessons learned from war, persecution, and displacement. Last century, during the worst and darkest times of German history, we were the reason that millions suffered so extremely and so many had to leave their countries, became refugees. And we do not forget. that during that time, many Germans left their country and found shelter all over the world. We remain grateful for that. After the war, many found shelter in my country, and they still do so. Currently, we host millions, be it from Syria or from Ukraine, for as long as they can't get home safely. Germany is grateful to the UNHCR. that it acts as the strong guardian of the Convention. We fully support its mandate politically and financially, and, High Commissioner, we very much support your 50 by 35 vision. Thank you.

Thank you so much, sir. And now the delegate from Spain.

At the 75th anniversary, Spain reaffirms its full commitment with the 1951 Convention and its protocol as a cornerstone of the international system to protect refugees as part of our defense of human dignity. Current movements are complex. They call for an integrated and coordinated response throughout the entire path. We must reinforce cooperation and the capacity of countries of origin, transit, and refuge following the commitments of the international fora. It is also important to avoid -- to speak of fundamental rights. We need a constructive and debate, especially based on ethical principles. Spain has developed important principles on refugees, and we will continue to promote these as elements to avoid dangerous paths. We will continue to support key elements for refugees and host communities. Spain reiterates its firm support for the UNHCR. In recent years, we have contributed significantly to it. And it is a matter of pride that our civil society is the greatest private contributor in the world. We can continue to count on our support and recognition.

Thank you very much. And now the delegate from Denmark.

High Commissioner, Excellencies, colleagues, thank you for sharing all your personal stories with us. The Refugee Convention remains a living promise that people fleeing persecution will find protection and human dignity. That promise matters more than ever. We all stand to suffer if asylum systems break down. Refugee protection is not only a moral commitment, but also essential to stability. Our response must be principled and practical. We must safeguard access to asylum and uphold the principle of non-refoulement. And we must support efficient procedures and stronger cooperation along displacement and migration routes to prevent abuse of protection systems. At the same time, protection must lead to sustainable solutions. Denmark welcomes your vision to halve by 2035 the number of refugees in protracted situations reliant on humanitarian assistance. Let us use this anniversary to reaffirm the Convention and make it work better for refugees, for host communities and future generations. Thank you.

Thank you enormously. And now the delegate from the Netherlands.

High Commissioner, thank you. There's no way to overstate the crucial role of the UN Refugee Convention has played over the past 75 years for people who were forced to flee their homes and their countries. As the custodian of the Convention, UNHCR has been there on the ground to support the countries hosting refugees. The Netherlands remains a steadfast supporter of the Convention and a donor of UNHCR, both through flexible multi-annual unearmarked funding and through the Prospects Programme that supports host countries in East Africa and Syria through programmes that foster inclusion and resilience of both refugees and host countries. We are supporting UNHCR in modernising the implementation of the Refugee Convention, and we are working together to make the international refugee policies future-proof. We are working intensively with UNHCR and Kenya to organize an event later this year on how we can address the current challenges faced in the international asylum system. With today, a celebration or an anniversary of 75 years, I agree very much with the colleagues of the European Union. Let's make this a call to action that in 75 years, we're not here again. Thank you.

Thank you very much. And now the delegate from Egypt.

Ladies and gentlemen, today as displacement reached unprecedented levels and humanitarian crises become increasingly protracted, this anniversary is both an occasion to reaffirm our collective commitment to international refugee law and a reminder that protection cannot be sustained without genuine international solidarity. The overwhelming responsibility for hosting refugees continues to fall upon low- and middle-income countries, often those already confronting significant economic and development challenges. Reinvigorating our collective commitment to the Global Compact on Refugees, particularly its fundamental principle of more predictable and equitable burden and responsibility sharing, is essential. Egypt currently hosts around 1.1 million refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR, in addition to large numbers of migrants and refugee-like situation. We maintain a deliberated out-of-camp policy, enabling refugees to live within Egyptian communities and access essential services, particularly health and education, alongside Egyptian citizens. Our commitment has also been translated into institutional reform by adopting Egypt's foreign asylum law in 2024. We reiterate that burden and responsibility sharing is indispensable to preserving the international protection system. Egypt will continue to uphold its responsibilities. We equally call upon the international community to uphold theirs. Thank you.

Thank you enormously. And now the delegate from Japan.

Thank you, Madam. Excellencies, 75 years have passed The 1951 Refugee Convention remains vital and its implementation continues to be shared responsibility. Japan started to accept Indo-Chinese refugees in 1978 and the national legislation on refugee protection were done when acceding to the convention in 1981. Since then, we have appropriately protected those who should be recognized as refugees under the convention. Japan welcomes UNHCR's 50 by 35 initiative and will support its effort. Japan has long supported UNHCR and will further promote private sector partnerships. In responding to crisis, including the return and reintegration of Afghan and Syrian refugees, support for host communities is also essential. Guided by human security, Japan places strong emphasis on the HTP nexus. It is critical to advancing durable solutions, including voluntary return, reintegration, and resettlement. We welcome UNHCR's sustainable response and expect it to play a catalytic role in engaging development partners and international finance institutions. Japan remains committed to.

Thank you. Thank you so much. We are now out of time and we thank you for all of your statements and your brevity. And we ask, especially those who are unable to get a chance to speak, to submit your interventions to the dedicated UNHCR web page. After all that has been said, let us end with final remarks now from the one who now leads the agency mandated to protect and provide durable solutions for refugees, the High Commissioner Saleh. You have the floor.

Excellencies, colleagues, friends, partners, this is truly an important discussion And I thank you for the very important statements and commitments that have been made during this session. 75 years on, this is a moment to reaffirm our commitment to our shared humanity, our legal responsibility, and also to a commitment to making the world better. My very humble hope at this moment is that we recognize the immense challenge before us but that should not make us waver. This is a moment to recommit and make sure that we deliver on our mandate, providing protection of people forced to flee, providing help to people who need it in emergency situations, but also really help with solutions to offer people a pathway to rebuilding their lives, to become self-reliant, and to making sure they can have a contribution to the societies in which they live in. Despite all the naysayers and all the polarized debates that we witness in our days, I do believe that there is so much good out there in our world, there is so much that we can rely on, we need to harness and to make sure that we, as an international community, can deliver on this solemn promise that we have made 75 years ago, that people who are forced to flee cannot be left without protection. I really thank you, Mr. President, Madam Prime Minister, all the other distinguished delegates and colleagues who have contributed to this debate, I want to assure you on behalf of UNSCR, on behalf of the colleagues that are working in faraway lands, delivering on this mandate, we are privileged to have been entrusted with this important noble mission. We need your support as we move forward, and my commitment to you, we remain steadfast in delivering cost-effectively, efficiently, and in a way that really speaks to the core of our mandate: protection, assistance, but also dignity and solutions to people. Thank you so very much.

I am going to leave you with the voice of the UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Cate Blanchett. When Cate finishes speaking, the session is officially closed. Kate has the last word. Thank you for joining us, for listening, for speaking, for singing. Our work continues until everyone is safe. Cate Blanchett.

From the ashes of the Second World War came a solemn promise, a promise to protect people forced to flee conflict, violence, and persecution. And today, with forced displacement at record levels, we must renew that promise. This is one of the defining challenges of our time, but it's also a test of our shared humanity. We can and must respond. Behind the vast numbers are real people, individuals whose lives have been uprooted, yet their talents, their experiences, and their ambitions remain. Being a refugee should only be a chapter in a person's life, not their whole story. Most refugees stay close to their home countries as they can, often in communities already facing immense pressure. And this is where we must act first, not with aid alone, but with opportunity. Not only helping people survive, but enabling them to rebuild their lives and forge better futures. We affirm our commitment to a world where safety is a certainty. Everyone has the right to seek safety from war, violence, and persecution. A world where refugees are included. Refugees belong in our communities, in our schools, in our workplaces, where they can find opportunities to contribute to societies that host them. A world where solutions are swift, whether it's integration, a fresh start in a new country, or a safe return home. We seek to resolve displacement right from the start. In a world where we act together, from governments to local communities, global institutions to town halls, boardrooms to faith groups, we all play our part in making a difference. We stand by the promise of the Refugee Convention. We choose action, we choose compassion, and we choose solidarity until everyone is safe.