UN General Assembly elects former Iraqi president to lead refugee agency

The United Nations General Assembly has elected Barham Salih, the former president of Iraq, as the next UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Salih, who will begin a five-year term on January 1, 2026, becomes the first official from the Middle East to lead the premier global refugee agency in at least three-quarters of a century.

A landmark appointment with regional significance

The election of Barham Salih marks a significant shift for the UNHCR, an organization traditionally led by officials from Western nations. Salih's background as a leader from a country that has experienced profound conflict, internal displacement, and refugee crises brings a unique perspective to the role. In statements, both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and outgoing High Commissioner Filippo Grandi welcomed the appointment, with Grandi noting that Salih's "first-hand experience of the challenges many refugees face today" makes him well-suited for the role during an era of record global displacement.

A career anchored in post-conflict reconstruction

Salih's political career has been deeply intertwined with Iraq's turbulent modern history. A statement from the UN Secretary-General's office highlighted his central role in Iraq's post-2003 reconstruction and economic recovery. Notably, he was instrumental in negotiating the International Compact with Iraq, a major partnership framework with the United Nations and the World Bank aimed at stabilizing and rebuilding the country. This experience in navigating complex international partnerships and large-scale humanitarian challenges is seen as directly relevant to leading the UNHCR.

Leading a critical agency at a pivotal time

The former Iraqi president will take the helm of the UNHCR at a time of unprecedented global need, with over 117 million people forcibly displaced worldwide as of mid-2024 due to conflict, persecution, and climate-related disasters. His leadership will be tested by protracted crises from Ukraine to Sudan and Gaza, alongside mounting political and funding challenges. Salih's appointment is observed with interest by major refugee-hosting nations like Türkiye, which has long advocated for greater burden-sharing and more robust international support for countries on the frontlines of the global displacement crisis.