UN Elects Former Iraqi President Barham Salih as Refugee Chief

The United Nations General Assembly has elected former Iraqi President Barham Salih as the next UN High Commissioner for Refugees, placing a seasoned political leader at the helm of the world’s primary refugee agency during a period of record global displacement.

Salih was elected by consensus of the 193-member General Assembly following his nomination by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Salih, 65, will assume office on January 1, 2026, for a five-year term. He will succeed Filippo Grandi, who has led the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) since 2016 and is set to conclude his tenure at the end of 2025.

During Grandi’s leadership, UNHCR has faced rising humanitarian crises driven by armed conflicts, climate change, and prolonged displacement across multiple regions.

• UN elects former Iraqi president Barham Salih as next refugee chief
• Barham Salih to lead UNHCR from January 2026 amid record global displacement
• Former Iraqi leader brings exile experience to top UN refugee role

A veteran Iraqi statesman, Salih served as President of Iraq from 2018 to 2022. His political career also includes roles as Iraq’s deputy prime minister and as Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government. He has played a role in international diplomacy and governance during periods of political transition and instability in Iraq.

Salih’s appointment carries added significance given his personal background. He lived in exile after fleeing persecution under Saddam Hussein’s regime, an experience that shaped his understanding of forced displacement, asylum seekers, and refugee protection. His election also marks one of the few times a leader from the Middle East has been chosen to head UNHCR, a region accounting for a large share of the world’s refugee population.

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Secretary-General Guterres cited Salih’s political experience, administrative capacity, and global exposure as key reasons for the nomination. UNHCR currently supports millions of refugees, stateless people, and displaced communities worldwide.