The United Nations General Assembly has chosen former Iraqi president Barham Ahmed Salih to serve as the next High Commissioner for Refugees, succeeding Italy’s Filippo Grandi.
His appointment, welcomed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, will run for five years starting January 1, 2026.
Salih brings more than 30 years of experience in government, having held key leadership positions both in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
He was president of Iraq from 2018 to 2022 and has twice served as prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, first from 2001 to 2004 and later from 2009 to 2012.
Additionally, he was Iraq’s deputy prime minister between 2004 and 2009.
According to the UN statement, Salih was instrumental in Iraq’s reconstruction and economic recovery following the 2003 conflict. His experience in governance and diplomacy is expected to guide his leadership at the UN Refugee Agency.
Born in 1960, Salih is fluent in Kurdish, Arabic, and English, equipping him to navigate international and regional refugee issues effectively.
Secretary-General Guterres praised his “deep understanding of political and humanitarian challenges,” highlighting his readiness to take on one of the UN’s most demanding roles.
