The 1951 Refugee Convention, the cornerstone of international refugee protection, marked its 75th anniversary on 28 July 2026. To commemorate the milestone, UNHCR launched a global campaign called 'The Promise', bringing together 75 prominent figures as initial signatories, including Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Ben Stiller, Malala Yousafzai, Nadia Murad, Denis Mukwege, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Erivo, Riz Ahmed, and Wenyen Gabriel.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, speaking at the anniversary event, said: 'The Refugee Convention has saved millions of lives over the decades; it goes to the core of our shared humanity.' He also stated: 'Seventy-five years ago, the world made a promise to protect people forced to flee. Our responsibility now is to keep that promise alive for future generations.'
The campaign comes at a time when more than 41 million refugees are forcibly displaced worldwide. Host countries carry immense responsibility, and asylum systems in many places are increasingly stretched, according to UNHCR. The campaign calls for stronger international cooperation to ensure refugees can seek safety, rebuild lives, and access lasting solutions.
The 1951 Refugee Convention, now ratified by approximately 150 states, is based on the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning refugees to places where they face persecution. However, the legal framework is under strain. The US under the Trump administration has reduced refugee admissions and relations with UNHCR, while the European Union is exploring new models to process asylum applications in third countries. Human Rights Watch senior legal adviser Michael Bochenek said: 'We are increasingly seeing governments resort to methods they think can free them from obligations under the convention.'
UNHCR itself faced a budget cut of approximately 30% in 2025, leading to thousands of staff layoffs and program reductions. Meanwhile, the number of armed conflicts worldwide exceeded 130, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. Approximately 70% of refugees are hosted in low- and middle-income countries, highlighting the unequal distribution of responsibility.
Wenyen Gabriel, a former refugee from Sudan, spoke at the UN meeting commemorating the anniversary. Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally was among the public figures calling for refugee protections. Angelina Jolie, who worked for UNHCR for over 20 years, and Cate Blanchett, a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador since 2016, are also among the signatories.
In his remarks, Salih emphasized: 'The fundamental promise of this convention remains most vital for humanity and I do believe we need to keep that promise alive.' The campaign aims to protect people forced to flee, as the world faces displacement and multiple crises.