The United Nations General Assembly has elected former Iraqi President Barham Salih as the next UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The election was conducted without a formal vote on Thursday following his nomination by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Salih, who once fled persecution under the regime of Saddam Hussein, is scheduled to begin a five-year term leading the UNHCR on January 1, 2026. He succeeds Italy’s Filippo Grandi, who has led the agency since 2016.
Election Details
New High Commissioner: Barham Salih, former President of Iraq
Elected By: UN General Assembly (193 member states)
Process: Elected without a formal vote
Nominating Authority: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
Term Start: January 1, 2026
Term Length: Five years
Predecessor: Filippo Grandi of Italy (served since 2016)
The appointment places Salih at the helm of one of the UN's most prominent humanitarian agencies, which provides protection and assistance to refugees worldwide.
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Source: REUTERS