World Refugee Day 2026

Respected Aunty Violet

Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

The Honourable Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for Social Services

The Honourable Jullian Hill MP, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs

Mr Michael Pettersson, ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs

Excellencies, distinguished guests, and friends.

Good afternoon

Like others before me, I would also like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet – the Ngunnawal (NUH-nuh-wahl) people, and pay my respect to their Elders, both past and present.

Your Excellency, Governor-General, thank you for hosting this important event, and for your longstanding support for refugee communities.

I remember last year when I first came to Government House for the accreditation lunch, I mentioned that UNHCR had some significant milestones coming up in 2026: the 75^th anniversary of the Refugee Convention and the historic moment of Australia welcoming its one millionth refugee and humanitarian entrant.

At the time I could sense your genuine interest and enthusiasm for refugee issues, so it is with real pleasure that I find myself here again with you, on World Refugee Day, to commemorate these important milestones together.

World Refugee Day is a moment of reflection and celebration. It honours the courage, resilience, and achievements of refugees everywhere.

But it is also, importantly, a moment to recognize solidarity – the solidarity that makes protection possible.

At a time when global displacement remains at near-record levels — with over 117 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, including more than 41 million refugees — solidarity is needed more than ever. Conflicts continue; solutions remain elusive for many, and the burden continues to fall disproportionately on countries closest to crises.

Yet amid these challenges, Australia stands out.

Seventy-five years ago, in the aftermath of the Second World War, countries came together and agreed that anyone forced to flee war, conflict or persecution should be able to seek safety and rebuild their lives in another country – this is the essence of the 1951 Refugee Convention.

Australia was not only a founding signatory to this Convention – its ratification helped bring it into force.

This was an act of foresight, leadership, and solidarity that continues to resonate globally.

That same spirit endures today.

Over the decades, Australia has welcomed one million refugees and other humanitarian entrants. This is a truly historic achievement – it is a testament to the enduring generosity, compassion and openness of the Australian people.

This is a tradition that continues today, in the form of Australia’s ongoing humanitarian program of 20,000 places each year.

We very much hope that this will continue, and indeed increase, in the years to come.

And we see the impact of this generosity in the countless lives, dreams, and futures of the refugees who have come to this country.

We see it in leaders such as the Honourable Mayor of Maribyrnong City Council, Mohammad Semra, or the former Governor of South Australia the Honorable Hieu Van Le- both of whom exemplify the contributions that refugees make to the social, civic and political life of this country.

We see it as we watch Australia’s national football team at the World Cup. Watching last Sunday as Nestory Irankunda, a former Burundian refugee, scored the first game-changing goal in Australia’s first match was a wonderful moment. Tanzania, where he was born in a refugee camp, gave him and his family safety, while Australia’s refugee resettlement program gave him the opportunity to build a future.

And of course, not all contributions are visible on a public stage. Across Australia, every day, people from refugee backgrounds are contributing in classrooms, workplaces, businesses, and communities — enriching this country in ways both seen and unseen.

One study has found that in New South Wales, $2.36 of economic benefit is generated for every $1 of spending on services for people on humanitarian visas.

Evidence continues to show that when refugees are given the chance to rebuild their lives, they give back many times over.

In addition to welcoming one million refugees to this country, the Australian government and Australian people have long been steady and financially generous supporters to UNHCR and its partners in our work with refugees in the Asia Pacific region and around the world.

And so today, we are proud to stand alongside Australia Post and the Refugee Council of Australia to commemorate these contributions in this beautiful stamp.

Today, we celebrate not only the past, but a continuing national story of generosity, inclusion, and shared future.

I am also grateful for the dedication of our other partners: NGOs and community organizations, donors and supporters, advocates, humanitarian workers, refugee-led organisations and local communities.

Your commitment, particularly in times of uncertainty and constraint, reflects the very best of human solidarity.

Your Excellency, thank you for bringing us together today.

On behalf of UNHCR and the people we serve, it is my honour to present you with a small token of appreciation – a necklace made by Afghan refugee artisans in India – and a bookmark make by Syrian refugees in Lebanon - a symbol of resilience, creativity and hope.

Thank you.