Baghdad: The United Nations General Assembly officially elected former Iraqi President Barham Salih as High Commissioner for Refugees on Thursday. The President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, congratulated Barham Salih on his election and expressed her anticipation for collaboration.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres welcomed the General Assembly's decision to elect Barham Salih as High Commissioner for Refugees for a five-year term. Guterres had previously endorsed Salih's selection in a written letter to the UN General Assembly on December 12.
Barham Salih is set to assume office on January 1, 2026, succeeding Italian Filippo Grandi, and will be based in Geneva.