UNHCR honours global Nansen Award laureates for courage and solidarity

Grandi praised the laureates for demonstrating unwavering commitment amidst a global rise in forced displacement.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has honoured four exceptional individuals and a frontline humanitarian organization as the winners of the 2025 Nansen Refugee Award, the UN Refugee Agency’s highest distinction. The ceremony, attended by UNHCR Global Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett, highlighted extraordinary courage, solidarity, and compassion shown in support of people forced to flee their homes.

Established in 1954, the Nansen Refugee Award recognises individuals and groups whose dedication to protecting refugees, internally displaced persons, and stateless people stands out as a beacon of hope. This year’s event held added emotional weight, marking Grandi’s final ceremony as High Commissioner after a decade of leadership.

Honouring Those Who Choose Humanity Over Fear

Grandi praised the laureates for demonstrating unwavering commitment amidst a global rise in forced displacement.

“This year’s laureates remind us that, even in dark times, compassion remains undimmed. They show us that commitment to refugees does not rest in one office or one voice—it lives in the actions of people like them,” he said.

Global Laureate: Chief Martin Azia Sodea, Cameroon

The 2025 global laureate, Chief Martin Azia Sodea, was honoured for transforming his village of Gado-Badzéré into a model of solidarity. When tens of thousands of refugees arrived from the Central African Republic, he and his community opened their land for shelter and farming, enabling more than 36,000 refugees to rebuild their lives alongside local residents.

Under his leadership, Gado-Badzéré became a symbol of peaceful coexistence, inspiring other traditional leaders across the region to welcome displaced people with dignity.

“Solutions exist. They begin with community and sharing. Inclusion, even with modest means, builds peace and dignity,” Chief Sodea said.

Regional Laureates

Four regional winners were celebrated for groundbreaking humanitarian contributions:

• Pablo Moreno Cadena (Americas): A senior executive at MABE in Mexico who pioneered corporate pathways to employ and integrate refugees.

• Proliska (Europe): A Ukrainian humanitarian organization that has delivered life-saving assistance to over 3.2 million people, often in front-line areas.

• Taban Shoresh (Middle East & North Africa): Founder of The Lotus Flower, a women-led organisation supporting more than 105,000 conflict survivors in Iraq.

• Negara Nazari (Asia–Pacific): An Afghan refugee and co-founder of the Ariana Learning Centre in Tajikistan, providing education to both Afghan refugee and local children.

A Call to Action from Cate Blanchett

Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett reflected on the deeper meaning of the awards, urging the global community to move beyond admiration:

“Tonight, we marvel at these laureates’ vision and dedication. But if that is all we do—we will have missed a golden opportunity to reflect on what their wonderful work inspires us all to do.”

Closing a Chapter, Continuing a Movement

As Grandi delivered his final remarks as High Commissioner, the ceremony underscored the ongoing global need for compassion and action.

“These laureates are not only honourees; they are champions for refugees,” he said. “Tonight, we celebrate them—and we entrust them, and all of us, with carrying this cause forward.”

A Tradition of Celebrating Humanitarian Leadership

For more than 70 years, the Nansen Refugee Award has highlighted those who refuse to look away from suffering—from village chiefs and refugee educators to business leaders, advocates, and front-line responders. The 2025 laureates continue this legacy, demonstrating how individual and collective action can save lives, restore dignity, and reshape futures.

The ceremony, hosted by UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Leanne Manas, featured performances by:

• Ahmad Joudeh, former stateless refugee and ballet dancer

• Maria Sur, Ukrainian refugee and singer

• Toussaint Chiza, Congolese-Swedish singer and former refugee

Together, they underscored the resilience and creativity of displaced communities worldwide.