GENEVA – Filippo Grandi, the head of the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), called on countries to abandon restrictive border controls that block refugees and migrants, labeling such measures ineffective and often illegal. Speaking to over 100 diplomats and ministers at the UNHCR’s annual meeting in Geneva, Grandi emphasized that global displacement has reached an unprecedented 123 million people.
“You might then ask: what can be done? For a start, do not focus only on your borders,” Grandi said, urging world leaders to address the underlying causes of displacement rather than merely implementing border restrictions. He highlighted the importance of working toward comprehensive solutions for refugees, stressing collaboration and humility in addressing the crisis.
Grandi criticized unnamed nations for initiatives to outsource or suspend asylum processes, asserting that these actions violate international law. He called for fair and efficient asylum systems, offering UNHCR’s assistance to countries in creating lawful refugee programs.
The UN refugee chief also called for increased support for those fleeing Sudan’s civil war, warning that inadequate resources were driving refugees to seek perilous routes, including across the Mediterranean Sea and the English Channel. He cautioned that failure to address these crises would inevitably lead to a rise in displacement, both in terms of numbers and geographic reach.
The UNHCR continues to face immense challenges, as the global number of displaced people has steadily increased for the past 12 years, underscoring the urgency for international cooperation and effective refugee policies.