On Saturday, June 20, 2026, the official events for the 2026 World Refugee Day took place at the Maison des Jeunes in Natitingou.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Djibril Mama Cisse, Minister of Interior and Public Security, alongside Aminatou Sar, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bénin, and Thomas Wyllie, Regional Deputy Director of the UNHCR for West Africa. The event featured speeches, a tour of exhibition stands showcasing income-generating activities run by refugees, and a tree-planting session.

The international theme chosen for this year was “Until everyone is safe,” aiming to spark reflection on the situation of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. Updated figures show that Bénin currently hosts 29,000 refugees and asylum seekers, with an additional 14,000 individuals awaiting refugee status.

In her address, Aminatou Sar noted that these numbers reflect real pressure on the country but also highlight the commitment of the Béninese government and its people to welcome and protect refugees and asylum seekers. She assured that the United Nations system remains mobilized alongside Bénin, working daily to protect displaced persons, ensure access to food and healthcare, guarantee children’s education, and provide psychosocial support.

Minister Djibril Mama Cisse stated that World Refugee Day provides a special opportunity to reaffirm solidarity with those forced to flee persecution, conflict, and violence. He emphasized that this year’s theme reminds us that refugee protection is a shared responsibility requiring solidarity, humanity, and cooperation between international organizations and communities. Bénin, he assured, guarantees refugee protection through a strengthened legal and institutional framework, allowing refugees to access essential services in health, education, employment, and social protection.

Despite the current security context, Minister Mama Cisse reaffirmed Bénin’s commitment to the right of asylum and the principle of non-refoulement, stating that national security imperatives and international protection requirements can be reconciled through effective mechanisms for identifying, registering, and monitoring refugees and asylum seekers.

The official ceremony also featured speeches by Thomas Wyllie, Norbert Tido N’Dah (first deputy mayor of Natitingou), and refugee spokesperson Albert Nacoulma. Nacoulma reiterated the refugees’ promise to respect Bénin’s laws and regulations and to work toward better social cohesion.

The ceremony concluded with tree planting and other activities.