UAE, Zebari back Barham Salih’s bid for UNHCR role

NEWSROOM — The United Arab Emirates and former Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari have publicly endorsed former Iraqi President Barham Salih for the position of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, with Baghdad formally backing his bid.

Former Iraqi president Barham Salih is among figures under consideration to lead the UNHCR with Baghdad formally backing his bid.

During the UNHCR Executive Committee meeting in Geneva, UAE Ambassador Jamal Al Musharakh announced his country’s official support for Salih.

“The UAE endorses the Arab Group candidate, Barham Salih, of the Republic of Iraq, for the position of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,” the UAE Mission in Geneva said in a post on X. “The UAE stands united with the international community to ensure the protection of refugees and displaced persons around the world.”

The high commissioner post is among the UN’s most senior humanitarian roles. Filippo Grandi, who currently serves as UNHCR chief, will see his mandate end on Dec. 31, 2025.

Zebari voiced his support for Salih in a statement on social media. “Dr. Barham Ahmad Salih is Iraq and Kurdistan’s candidate for the High Commissioner of UNHCR with our full support,” he wrote. “He has all the credentials and qualifications to represent this all-important humanitarian agency. We call on all member states to support his nomination. It’s this week.”

Salih, 64, served as Iraq’s president from 2018 to 2022. A veteran Kurdish politician, he has held several key positions, including two terms as prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq’s deputy prime minister, and minister of planning. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Cardiff University and a PhD in statistics and computer applications in engineering from the University of Liverpool.