This year, World Refugee Day was marked over three days with a series of events organised across the country in the cities of Bălți, Chișinău and Cahul. The commemoration brought together displaced persons, refugees, local community members, national authorities at various levels, children, and committed local and international organisations.

The activities aimed to celebrate solidarity while promoting human rights, mutual understanding, and respect for diversity.

In Chișinău, the event was held at the Accommodation Centre of the General Inspectorate for Migration, with the participation of over 60 asylum seekers, displaced persons, local children, as well as representatives from national authorities and both international and national organisations.

Present at the event, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chișinău, Mr Falk Lange, acknowledged the support provided by the Moldovan Government and host communities to the displaced population from Ukraine since 2022. He also reiterated the Council of Europe’s ongoing commitment to assist the Republic of Moldova in developing resilient migration, asylum, and reception systems in the long term, as well as in protecting those in need.

More than five hundred participants took part in the activities organised in the central parks of Bălți and Cahul. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about human rights and the services available to displaced persons and refugees. The programme also featured a variety of engaging activities, including a gastronomic workshop, flower planting, quizzes, and numerous artistic and educational sessions. Among these were cotton bag painting workshops, led by professional artists Mrs Valeria Barbaș and Mrs Eleonora Brigalda; pottery workshops conducted under the guidance of skilled artisans Mrs Elena Frunze and Mrs Eugenia Munteanu, and resilience-building exercises.

The events included dance performances, as well as poetry and song recitals by refugees, displaced persons, and local young artists, promoting cultural expression and strengthening community ties.

The activities dedicated to World Refugee Day 2025 were organised through the joint efforts of the Council of Europe project on “Strengthening the human rights protection of refugees and migrants in the Republic of Moldova – phase II”, the General Inspectorate for Migration of the Republic of Moldova and UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency.

The Council of Europe Project “Strengthening the human rights protection of refugees and migrants in the Republic of Moldova: phase II " is funded under the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova (2025-2028) and implemented by the Council of Europe.