UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Model UN

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, was created by the General Assembly in 1950, is based in Geneva and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954 and 1981. Its work rests on the 1951 Refugee Convention, which defines who is a refugee. In Model UN delegates represent states, as member states do on the real Executive Committee that approves UNHCR's programmes and budget.

  • 31 open now
  • 59 upcoming conferences
  • about 25 delegations
Find a UNHCR conference

Similar: UN · SOCHUM · UNICEF · UN

  • 5 countries: on 90 to 95% of seat lists
  • 20 more seats in a typical simulation of 25

UNHCR applications closing soon

13 conferences close applications in the next 30 days. These close first.

  • Cosmopolitan World MUN

    Nov 13–15, 2026 · Online

    Apply now

  • MUN Lithuania

    Nov 20–21, 2026 · Online

    Apply now

  • MiniDS

    Nov 28–29, 2026 · Munich, Germany

    Apply now

  • Lyon Model United Nations

    May 19–22, 2027 · Lyon, France ·

    Apply now

More UNHCR conferences

53 more upcoming

Browse all Model UN conferences

Where and when UNHCR conferences run

The United States, France and Germany host the most. November is the busiest month.

In 22 countries and online

Upcoming by month

15 in November 20267 open for applications now

19 of the 59 are for school students only and 7 for university students only; 20 are free. See all high school MUN conferences or university MUN conferences.

Most UNHCR conferences are in the United States, France and Germany.

UNHCR topics in Model UN

Of 735 UNHCR topics on mymun, 90% are about refugees and migration, 18% about economy and development and 15% about climate and environment. Rising this season: women and children (24% of topics this season, up from 12%).

ThemeShare of topics
  1. Refugees and migration 90%

    Example: Addressing Internal Displacement, Melchior Wankowicz Model United Nations

  2. Economy and development 18%

    Example: Refugee Access to Jobs and Financial Services, Melchior Wankowicz Model United Nations

  3. Climate and environment 15%

    Example: Establishing Legal Protections for Climate and Disaster-Displaced Refugees, European Model United Nations

  4. Women and children Rising14%

    Example: Protecting Refugee Children, Melchior Wankowicz Model United Nations

  5. Human rights 4%

    Example: Protecting refugees from discrimination in host countries, Voices of Tomorrow Model United Nations

Recent UNHCR topics

  1. Ensuring protection and access to humanitarian assistance for internally displaced persons and refugees in Yemen

    AybMUN
    Refugees and migration

  2. Addressing Internal Displacement

    Melchior Wankowicz Model United Nations
    Refugees and migration

  3. Addressing Internal Displacement

    Quarter MUN II
    Refugees and migration

  4. The Integration of Refugees into Host Communities

    NEXUS MODEL UNITED NATIONS
    Refugees and migration

UNHCR countries in Model UN

The United States, France, Germany, China and the United Kingdom appear on 90 to 95% of UNHCR seat lists on mymun. The real Executive Committee has 110 member states, elected by ECOSOC, and meets in Geneva every October to approve UNHCR's programmes and budget.

  • 5 countries: on 90 to 95% of seat lists
  • 20 more seats in a typical simulation of 25

Most often seated

CountryShare of seat lists
  1. 1United States95%
  2. 2France93%
  3. 3Germany90%
  4. 4China90%
  5. 5United Kingdom90%
  6. 6Russia84%
  7. 7Türkiye81%
  8. 8Italy79%
  9. 9India78%
  10. 10Brazil74%
  11. 11Bangladesh73%
  12. 12Canada72%

Most requested

CountryShare of applicants
  1. 1Germany8%
  2. 2United States6%
  3. 3France6%
  4. 4United Kingdom5%
  5. 5Canada5%
  6. 6Türkiye4%
  7. 7Italy4%
  8. 8India3%
  9. 9Australia3%
  10. 10Afghanistan3%
  11. 11Greece3%
  12. 12Spain3%

How UNHCR compares

Its rooms seat about 25, against 30 in SOCHUM.

CommitteeUpcomingOpen nowRoom sizeSchool onlyMost debated
UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)59312532%Refugees and migration
UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)2631532235%Human rights
SOCHUM (GA Third Committee)72293068%Human rights
UNICEF71372244%Women and children
UN Security Council (UNSC)3591921539%Armed conflicts

UNHCR in Model UN: questions and answers

How many delegates are in a UNHCR committee?

The real UNHCR is an agency whose Executive Committee of 110 member states approves its programmes and budget. UNHCR simulations on mymun seated about 25 delegations.

What is non-refoulement?

It is the core principle of the 1951 Refugee Convention: a refugee must not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. Non-refoulement is also part of customary international law, so it binds every state, not only the Convention's parties.

Is UNHCR a good committee for beginners?

Yes, after reading the 1951 Refugee Convention and the Global Compact on Refugees, which the General Assembly affirmed in 2018.

What topics does UNHCR debate in Model UN?

Top themes in 735 UNHCR topics on mymun: refugees and migration (90%), economy and development (18%) and climate and environment (15%).

Can school students join a UNHCR?

Yes. 52 of the 59 upcoming conferences with a UNHCR take high school delegates, and 19 are for school students only.

Prepare for your UNHCR committee

Updated Nov 12, 2026