75 Years of the Refugee Convention: Renewing Our Commitment to Protection, Rights and Solutions 

Today, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, commemorates the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention - one of the most important international commitments to human dignity, protection and solidarity ever made.

Born from the devastation of the Second World War, the Refugee Convention established a promise that people forced to flee war; violence and persecution would not be left without protection. At its core, the Convention affirms the fundamental right of people to seek safety and protection from persecution and enshrines the principle of non-refoulement – the obligation not to return anyone to a country where their life or freedom would be at risk. Seventy-five years later, with forced displacement still at near-record highs, that promise remains as vital as ever.

The Refugee Convention is more than a legal framework. It is a lifesaving tool that safeguards the rights of refugees, ensures access to asylum and protection procedures, and reflects our shared humanity. In an increasingly unpredictable world, it continues to provide protection, hope, and a pathway to safety for millions of people forced to flee their homes.

“For 75 years, the Refugee Convention has stood as a powerful expression of international solidarity and shared responsibility. Its core principles — including the right to seek asylum and the prohibition on returning people to danger — remain as relevant today as when the Convention was adopted. These principles continue to save lives and provide a foundation for protection, stability and hope for millions of displaced people around the world,” UNHCR Representative for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, Soo-Jin Rhee, said.

“This anniversary is both a moment to reflect on how far we have come, and a call to renew our collective resolve to uphold the promise of safety for all who need it.”

This anniversary is not only an opportunity to reflect on our shared history, but also to reaffirm our commitment to the values that underpin the Convention: protection, dignity, responsibility-sharing and international cooperation. The Convention was never intended to be carried out by one country alone. Its strength lies in our collective commitment to ensuring that people seeking safety are protected and supported.

In Australia, UNHCR marked the anniversary of the Refugee Convention by partnering with Australia Post and the Refugee Council of Australia to produce a commemorative stamp highlighting Australia’s generosity in welcoming 1 million refugees to this country since World War II. The stamp was launched on World Refugee Day, 20 June, by the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC.

In New Zealand, the anniversary was commemorated at a special event at Parliament House, while UNHCR looked back at the achievements of the Convention and its continuing relevance at a series of public events in Wellington and Auckland.

Globally, UNHCR is also launching The Promise campaign today. The campaign brings together a distinguished coalition of world leaders, faith leaders, Nobel Laureates, statespersons, and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassadors to endorse a global statement of solidarity with refugees. Through this collective call to action, The Promise reaffirms the enduring principles of refugee protection and advocates for practical solutions, greater self-reliance, and shared responsibility in supporting displaced people around the world.

“Today, we honour the resilience of refugees around the world and recommit ourselves to helping people move beyond survival towards a future of safety, rights, dignity and hope,” said Ms. Rhee. “The promise is in our hands. It is ours to defend.”