The year 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. The UN General Assembly (UNGA) decided that 20 June would be celebrated as World Refugee Day from 2001 onwards (A/RES/55/76).

World Refugee Day honors the strength and courage of refugees and encourages public awareness and support of the refugees, people who have had to flee their homelands because of conflict or natural disaster. The Day offers an opportunity to build empathy and understanding for the plight of refugees and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.