Filippo Grandi bids farewell, urging defence of asylum amid funding crisis

Grandi sharply criticized the scale and speed of the financial cuts affecting UNHCR and the wider humanitarian sector.

In his final public address as UN High Commissioner for Refugees before stepping down on 31 December, Filippo Grandi rallied humanitarian colleagues after a year marked by deep funding cuts and escalating global displacement. Speaking at the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) Progress Review in Geneva, Grandi said the UN Refugee Agency had taken a “brutal and direct hit,” but he insisted that UNHCR’s resolve would not weaken.

Condemning Funding Cuts That Have “Cost Lives”

Grandi sharply criticized the scale and speed of the financial cuts affecting UNHCR and the wider humanitarian sector.

“Incredibly abrupt [and] very deep funding cuts … have created hardship around the world,” he said.“No one should tell us they have not caused loss of life. They have already caused loss of life.”

Despite the difficult year, he stressed that humanitarian work must continue with determination, framing refugee protection as both a moral and legal obligation.

Defending the Institution of Asylum

Grandi delivered a strong defence of asylum and international protection, warning of increasing attempts to undermine refugee rights worldwide.

“Conflicts and human rights violations continue to be the main drivers of displacement,” he said. “These people need to have the space for international protection.”

He urged faith-based groups, civil society, refugee-led organisations, and people with lived experience to join in defending asylum, adding:“The institution of asylum belongs to everybody. It is up to all of us to defend and protect it.”

A Call to Support the United Nations

Grandi also spoke more broadly about the role of the UN in protecting those whom history has marginalized.

“It is for the people who are left behind that the UN was created,” he said. “For their sake, the UN needs to be supported.”

Global Refugee Forum Progress Review: A Sober but Hopeful Gathering

The GRF Progress Review, co-hosted by UNHCR and Switzerland and co-convened by Colombia, France, Japan, Jordan and Uganda, brought together 1,500 participants from nearly 150 countries, including over 250 refugees. Refugee-led organizations played a prominent role, reflecting growing global recognition of refugee inclusion.

Syrian refugee Majdi Laktinah, now part of the German Government’s delegation, urged attendees to recognize positive progress, such as Germany’s improved institutional refugee participation.

“I would like to take a moment to focus on the beams of sunshine that made it through this cloudy environment,” he said.

Over 30 new commitments were announced during the three-day review, though it was not a formal pledging event. The next Global Refugee Forum will take place in 2027.

Japan’s Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Atsuyuki Oike, commended the pledges but warned that the widening humanitarian funding gap threatens to reverse recent progress.

“Ambition must be matched by action,” he said.

Honouring UNRWA and Calling for Peace

Grandi also voiced strong support for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which he once led, and paid tribute to staff killed in recent violence in Gaza.

“Palestinian refugees are part of the global refugee community. My hope is for peace for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel,” he said.

A Farewell Message to Humanitarians

In an emotional closing message to UNHCR staff and humanitarian workers around the world, Grandi urged them to remember their power to make change.

“Whatever you do, whoever you are, don’t underestimate the power that you have to change things for the better and to make life more hopeful for millions.”

Grandi’s departure marks the end of a decade of leadership at UNHCR, during which global displacement reached historic levels. His final address reinforced the message that, despite challenges, the fight to protect refugees must continue with courage, unity, and conviction.

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