Former Iraqi President Barham Ahmed Salih has been elected by the UN General Assembly as the next High Commissioner for Refugees, beginning a five-year term on 1 January 2026.
Salih becomes the first official from the Middle East to hold the post in nearly 75 years. His appointment was welcomed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who also thanked outgoing commissioner Filippo Grandi for his leadership in supporting refugees, displaced persons, and stateless individuals.
The UN highlighted Salih’s extensive experience in politics and diplomacy. He played a key role in Iraq’s reconstruction following 2003, including negotiating the International Compact with Iraq alongside the United Nations and the World Bank.
Grandi praised Salih’s election, noting that his decades of public service, steady leadership, and diplomatic experience equip him to guide UNHCR amid escalating global displacement and complex humanitarian challenges. “Coming from a country recently marked by conflict and displacement, he has first-hand insight into the difficulties facing many refugees today,” Grandi added.
Salih’s tenure begins at a time when UNHCR continues to respond to crises affecting millions worldwide, with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations and coordinating international humanitarian assistance.
Democrats on the U.S. House Oversight Committee have released another batch of photographs from the estate of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, a d...
Russia’s latest attacks on Zaporizhia come as European leaders gather in Brussels to discuss the possible use of frozen Russian assets to support Uk...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska in Yerevan on Thursday to discuss the development of coo...
Authorities have confirmed that seven people were killed when a plane crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport in North Caroli...
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reportedly told EU leaders on Thursday that the signing of a free trade agreement with the Mercosur...
Democrats on the U.S. House Oversight Committee have released another batch of photographs from the estate of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, a day before the Justice Department is due to publish the full “Epstein files” under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska in Yerevan on Thursday to discuss the development of cooperation between Armenia and the alliance.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reportedly told EU leaders on Thursday that the signing of a free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc has been postponed until January.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has confirmed that Russian-made Oreshnik missile systems have been deployed on Belarusian territory and placed on combat alert.
The latest clashes between Thailand and Cambodia mark a dangerous escalation in one of Southeast Asia’s oldest and most sensitive disputes.
In the complex world of international diplomacy, the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan have raised significant questions about the role of third-party mediation.
Citizens from an additional seven countries, including Syria, are being banned from travelling to the U.S. from the 1st of January next year. President Donald Trump made the annoucement on Tuesday (16 December) now has a total of 39 countries banned from entering the States.
Austria’s public broadcaster ORF, which is hosting the Eurovision Song Contest next year, has said it will not block Palestinian flags in the audience or suppress crowd reactions during Israel’s performance.
Police in Australia have charged a man who allegedly opened fire on a Jewish event on Sydney's Bondi Beach with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has offered to mediate between the U.S. and Venezuela, warning that urgent diplomatic intervention is needed to prevent a “fratricidal war” in Latin America.
Türkiye has enhanced its environmental and cultural conservation efforts, registering 10,503 monumental trees and 319 caves nationwide, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change confirmed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Poland on Thursday following a summit of the European Council in Brussels.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Cairo on Thursday ahead of a two-day ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum.
European Union leaders on Thursday denounced a wave of hybrid attacks against the bloc, attributing them to Russia and Belarus, and called for stronger measures to protect critical infrastructure and enhance resilience.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment