Fri Dec 19 01:21:28 UTC 2025: Summary:

The United Nations General Assembly has elected former Iraqi President Barham Salih as the next head of the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR). Salih, a Kurdish politician, will be the first UNHCR head from the Middle East since the late 1970s. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised Salih’s experience as a diplomat, political leader, and former refugee. Salih’s term begins on January 1, succeeding Filippo Grandi. He takes over the agency at a challenging time, facing record displacement and funding shortages due to reduced foreign aid contributions. Salih pledged a focus on empathy, pragmatism, international law, impact, accountability, and efficiency.

News Article:

Former Iraqi President Barham Salih Elected as New UN Refugee Chief

UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations General Assembly has appointed former Iraqi President Barham Salih as the new U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, marking the first time a Middle Eastern figure has held the position since the 1970s. The 193-member body unanimously elected the 65-year-old Kurdish politician on Thursday, December 18, 2025.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres lauded Salih’s extensive experience, highlighting his background as a diplomat, political leader, and former refugee who was persecuted by Saddam Hussein’s regime. Salih himself fled Iraq to the United Kingdom in 1979. He later returned to serve in various government positions, including as President of Iraq from 2018 to 2022.

Salih will succeed Filippo Grandi on January 1, inheriting the leadership of the UNHCR at a critical juncture. The agency faces unprecedented challenges, including record levels of displacement and severe funding shortages stemming from reduced foreign aid contributions from key donor countries like the United States.

In a statement following his election, Salih emphasized his personal experience as a refugee and committed to leading with “empathy, pragmatism, and a principled commitment to international law.” He also vowed to prioritize impact, accountability, and efficiency in addressing the growing global refugee crisis. The UNHCR, based in Geneva, will be closely watched as Salih navigates these complex challenges.

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