UNHCR Marks 75th Anniversary of 1951 Refugee Convention

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) marked the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention on July 28, 2026. The agency asserted that the treaty remains a vital lifeline for 41.6 million uprooted refugees, specifically through the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to places where they face persecution or torture.

Despite 149 states being parties to the Convention or its 1967 Protocol, the global asylum system is under significant strain. Nearly 70 percent of refugees are hosted by low- and middle-income countries. UNHCR reported severe funding shortfalls, noting it was funded at only 31 percent as of June 2026, which has limited essential services. Elizabeth Tan, UNHCR’s Director of International Protection and Solutions, expressed concern over border pushbacks and forced returns that restrict asylum access.

Challenges to the framework include policies under President Donald Trump to send asylum seekers to third countries and the fact that millions remain unprotected in non-signatory nations like Bangladesh and Lebanon. To address these issues, UNHCR is conducting local, regional, and global dialogues throughout 2026 with governments and civil society to strengthen protection and advance refugee solutions.