Statement by Our Organization in Collaboration with the High Representative on World Refugee Day
The European Union (EU) has been a beacon of hope for over 134,000 vulnerable refugees since 2015, providing a safe haven through resettlement schemes. This commitment to refugee support has continued, with nearly 53,000 refugees, primarily Afghans at risk, welcomed to the EU through humanitarian admission schemes since 2021.
In 2024, a historic agreement, the Pact on Migration and Asylum, was reached. This pact reflects a comprehensive and whole-of-route approach to migration management. By mid-2025, EU member states most involved in implementing the Pact included primarily Southern and Southeastern countries like Greece, Italy, and Spain, as they remain responsible for the majority of asylum procedures under the new system.
The Pact requires member states to contribute proportionally by population and economic strength, either by hosting refugees or providing financial/material support. An initial relocation target of 30,000 people was set, but as of the end of 2024, only 14 member states had submitted implementation plans. Some countries, like Poland and the Netherlands, opted out or opposed the Pact.
Additional dedicated funding for the Pact's implementation has not been detailed in available sources as of mid-2025, though the EU Commission and agencies are actively supporting member states in executing the reforms. The Commission is also supporting Member States with additional funding to put in place the legal and operational capabilities required to apply the new legislation by mid-2026.
The EU's humanitarian and development efforts focus on safeguarding refugee rights, ensuring access to essential services, and offering durable solutions like assisted voluntary return, local integration, and resettlement. In line with this, EU Member States pledged 61,000 resettlement and humanitarian admissions for 2024-2025 at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum.
The EU is not only a safe haven for those in need but also a leading donor in responding to crises worldwide. It has been at the forefront of providing support to international organizations, particularly the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), in areas such as Sudan and the Middle East.
The number of refugees worldwide has reached a record high, with over 122 million people forcibly displaced worldwide on World Refugee Day. Global cooperation and solidarity are essential to ensure the protection of refugees worldwide. The EU will continue to play its role on the global stage and uphold refugees' rights, in line with EU and international law.
Work is ongoing to translate the Pact into an operational reality by mid-2026. The EU's efforts focus on offering durable solutions for refugees, including assisted voluntary return, local integration, and resettlement. The EU reaffirms itself as a safe haven for those in need, standing firm in its commitment to support millions of refugees, including those who have fled the conflict in Syria and over 4.3 million Ukrainians under Temporary Protection due to Russia's war. Global cooperation and solidarity are key to ensuring a brighter future for these refugees.
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