#Dr._Barham_Salih,

A Kurd appointed to a top UN post for the first time.

Dr. Barham Salih, former Iraqi President, named UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

For the first time in history, a Kurdish figure has been appointed to a senior position within the United Nations. Dr. Barham Salih has officially assumed the role of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a milestone celebrated across the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

President Masoud Barzani personally congratulated Dr. Salih in a phone call, expressing pride that a Kurd has reached such a prominent international position and wishing him every success. Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, also extended his congratulations, noting the significance of a Kurdish personality holding a major role at the UN. Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, affirmed full support for Dr. Salih and confidence in his ability to fulfill the role successfully.

A former President of Iraq and a prominent Kurdish politician, Dr. Salih brings both experience and personal insight to his new position. In a statement following his appointment, he reflected on his own past as a refugee: “I know well how protection and support can change the course of a life. This experience will guide my leadership, based on empathy, pragmatism, and a commitment to international law.”

Dr. Salih also highlighted the increasing challenges facing the UNHCR amid growing global displacement. His agenda will focus on protecting the rights and dignity of displaced people, strengthening field operations and the proper use of resources, and fostering international partnerships to ensure aid reaches those most in need.

Observers say his appointment is expected to positively influence refugee policies in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the wider Middle East, demonstrating that Kurdish leadership can make a tangible impact on the global stage.