Shared futures: Australia's commitment to refugee protection in the Asia-Pacific

About this event

Join us online for a special regional event marking World Refugee Day 2026, broadcast live from Bangkok. Hosted by SSI, APRRN and Amnesty International Australia, the event will bring together refugee leaders, civil society organisations, governments, policymakers and advocates from across the Asia-Pacific region.

The event will provide an opportunity to reflect on Australia's role in advancing refugee rights and protection across the region, celebrate significant milestones, and look ahead to opportunities for continued regional leadership and responsibility-sharing.

Significant milestones

• This event marks several important anniversaries and achievements:

• One million refugees resettled in Australia

• 50 years of Australia resettling refugees from Thailand

• 10 years of partnership between SSI and APRRN

The event will also recognise Thailand's leadership in expanding work rights and pathways for refugee inclusion and self-reliance.

Speakers

• Violet Roumeliois, Chief Executive Officer, SSI

• Hafsar Tameesuddin, Co-Secretary General, APRRN

• Zaki Hairdari, Strategic Campaigner, Amnesty International Australia

• Felicity Flook, Australian Embassy Thailand

• Karen Whiting, Head of Protection, UNHCR Regional Bureau Asia and the Pacific

• Khair Ullah, Chair of the South Asia Working Group, APRRN Steering Committee

Moderated by Klaus Dik Nielsen, Co-Secretary General, APRRN

Event details

• Thursday 18 June 2026

• 6:00pm – 7:30pm AEST | 3:00pm – 4:30pm Bangkok time

• Online via Zoom — joining details will be provided upon registration

• Registration is free.

To attend in person at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT), register here.

For any questions, please contact either:

• Ali Reza Yawari: MSCO@aprrn.org

• Carmen Ghaly: cghaly@ssi.org.au

This event is hosted by SSI, APRRN and Amnesty International Australia.