Joint statement by the European Commission and the High Representative on World Refugee Day

On World Refugee Day, we commemorate the strength and resilience of refugees, who have left their homes not by choice, but due to conflict, violence, persecution or human rights violations. This year's World Refugee Day comes at a time when a record of more than 122 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide.

The EU supports millions of refugees, from those having fled the conflict in Syria to hosting over 4.3 million Ukrainians under Temporary Protection due to Russia's war, reaffirming the EU as a safe haven for those in need.

Globally, the EU upholds its responsibility as the world's leading donor, responding to crises such as those in Sudan and the Middle East. Our humanitarian and development efforts focus on safeguarding refugee rights, ensuring access to essential services, and offering durable solutions – including assisted voluntary return, local integration and resettlement.

Global cooperation and solidarity are key to ensure the protection of refugees worldwide. Support to the vital work of international organisations especially the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is of outmost importance and must be sustained.

The EU will continue to play its role on the global stage and uphold refugees' rights, in line with EU and international law.

Background

The EU and its Member States make an important contribution to global resettlement efforts. Since 2015, EU resettlement schemes have provided a safe haven to over 134,000 vulnerable refugees. Additionally, since 2021, nearly 53,000 refugees – primarily Afghans at risk – have been welcomed to the EU through humanitarian admission schemes. Building on this commitment, EU Member States pledged 61,000 resettlement and humanitarian admissions for 2024-2025 at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum.

After a historic agreement was reached on the Pact on Migration and Asylum in 2024, work has been ongoing to translate the large and complex set of legislative acts into an operational reality by mid-2026.

The Pact on Migration and Asylum reflects a comprehensive and a whole-of-route approach to migration management. The Commission is pursuing with the Member States a two-track approach, accompanying legislative work at EU level with operational activities. This includes work on the external dimension of migration, through the pursuit of comprehensive partnerships with partner countries.

This is a common endeavour, with the Commission supporting Member States every step of the way, including additional funding, to put in place the legal and operational capabilities required to successfully start applying the new legislation by mid-2026.