UNHCR Marks 75 Years of Protection, Solutions and Hope in India
UNHCR Marks 75 Years of Protection, Solutions and Hope in India
A moment of unity as we came together to commemorate 75 years of UNHCR
New Delhi, 16 December 2025 — UNHCR marked its 75th anniversary in India through a celebration of art, culture and community, placing refugees and their voices at the centre of the commemoration. Held at UN House in New Delhi, the event brought together representatives of the diplomatic community in Delhi, United Nations agencies, civil society partners, donors, and refugee communities to reflect on 75 years of protection, solutions and hope for people forced to flee.
Established in 1950 in the aftermath of the Second World War, UNHCR is mandated to protect refugees and to seek durable solutions to end displacement. As UNHCR commemorates 75 years of its work globally, the anniversary in India offered an opportunity to honor the resilience of refugees and reaffirm a shared commitment to protection and inclusion.
The event opened with a welcome address by Ms. Areti Sianni, Chief of Mission, UNHCR India, who underscored the continued relevance of UNHCR’s mandate for protection and solutions at a time of unprecedented global displacement.
“Seventy-five years after the creation of UNHCR, the principles that guide us — humanity, shared responsibility and international protection — are more vital than ever,” she said. “As displacement reaches record levels worldwide, safeguarding the right to seek asylum and advancing solutions remain essential to saving lives and preserving dignity.”
Ms. Sianni also highlighted India’s long-standing tradition of offering refuge to people fleeing conflict and persecution, and acknowledged the strong partnerships between UNHCR, the Government of India, civil society, host communities and refugees themselves.
The program continued with remarks by Ms. Cynthia McCaffrey, United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i. in India, who reaffirmed the collective commitment of the United Nations system to protecting displaced populations and supporting durable solutions.
A screening of the UNHCR film “This Is Who We Are” set the tone for the cultural segment of the event, which celebrated the diversity, creativity and cultural heritage of refugee communities in India. Refugee artists and youth moved the audience with a traditional dance performance, instrumental and guitar music, group singing, and poetry.
Refugee youth performing traditional song
Among the performances was a powerful poem titled “Hope”, shared by an Afghan refugee poet, whose words reflected on displacement, resilience and the belief that being a refugee is not a weakness, but a testament to courage, survival and dignity.
A photo exhibition further brought refugee journeys into focus, highlighting stories of loss, strength and perseverance, and reminding participants of the human experiences at the heart of displacement and UNHCR’s work over the past 75 years, both globally and in India.
Throughout the event, guests viewed handicrafts and exhibition stalls curated by refugees, showcasing traditional arts, craftsmanship and refugee-led enterprises, including Embroidery Without Borders, a UNHCR India initiative implemented in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Crafts & Design (IICD), bringing together women artisans from Kutch, Gujarat and Afghanistan to exchange embroidery traditions, skills and stories while fostering sustainable livelihoods and cross-cultural understanding.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks and a networking session, allowing participants to interact with refugee artists, performers and entrepreneurs.
As UNHCR marks its 75th anniversary, the celebration in India underscored that protection is not only about policies and institutions, but about people — their stories, cultures, talents and aspirations.
