The United Nations has warned that the right to seek asylum is coming under increasing pressure, as political divisions and tighter border policies make it harder for refugees to access protection.
The warning came as the world marked the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention in Geneva.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih said refugees are increasingly being blamed for wider economic and political challenges, despite fleeing conflict, violence and persecution. He urged governments to focus on resolving the causes of displacement rather than simply managing record numbers of refugees.
According to the UN refugee agency, nearly 118 million people were forcibly displaced by the end of 2025, with the largest refugee populations coming from Venezuela, Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan and Sudan. Salih noted that many refugees have returned to countries such as Syria and Afghanistan but warned that many are going back to communities devastated by conflict.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the Refugee Convention has saved millions of lives but warned that the right to seek asylum is increasingly being questioned and restricted. The refugee agency is also facing deep funding cuts, forcing it to reduce operations and thousands of staff positions worldwide.
Salih called for stronger international support, stressing that people fleeing war and persecution deserve protection under international law.
