What's happened
Salih, former Iraqi president, is set to succeed Filippo Grandi as UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The appointment, pending formal approval, comes amid a year of significant funding cuts and rising global displacement. Salih's background and vision aim to reshape the agency's approach to refugee aid.
What's behind the headline?
The appointment of Salih signals a potential shift in UNHCR leadership, emphasizing a more diverse global representation after decades of Western dominance. His background as a Kurdish Iraqi leader with lived refugee experience positions him to prioritize refugee-centric policies. The timing underscores the agency's urgent need to adapt to record displacement levels amid shrinking budgets. Salih's proposals to tap Islamic finance and private-sector partnerships could diversify funding but also reflect the broader geopolitical shifts affecting aid. Western restrictions on asylum and shifting donor priorities threaten the agency's capacity, making his leadership critical for navigating these complex dynamics. The move may also influence future leadership selections, encouraging more non-Western candidates to seek global roles.
What the papers say
The articles from The New Arab, Al Jazeera, AP News, The Independent, and Reuters collectively highlight the significance of Salih's appointment amid a challenging funding environment and record displacement. While all sources agree on his background and the procedural steps, some emphasize the geopolitical implications of a non-Western leader, noting that Salih is the first non-Western head of UNHCR in about 50 years. Reuters and AP focus on the procedural details and funding cuts, whereas The New Arab and Al Jazeera underscore the broader geopolitical context and Salih's refugee experience. The coverage collectively suggests this appointment could mark a turning point for the agency, reflecting shifting global power dynamics and the need for more inclusive leadership.
How we got here
Salih, 65, served as Iraq's president from 2018 to 2022 and is from Iraq's Kurdish region. His appointment follows a decade of leadership by Filippo Grandi, who took office in 2016. The UNHCR faces challenges including reduced funding from key donors like the US and Western countries, and increasing displacement due to conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine. Salih's experience and proposed reforms aim to address these issues and diversify funding sources.
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Common question
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Who Will Lead the UNHCR in 2025? Salih's Appointment Explained
Salih, a Kurdish Iraqi, is set to succeed Filippo Grandi as the new UNHCR chief. His appointment comes at a critical time for the agency, which is facing record displacement and funding challenges. But who is Salih, and what does his leadership mean for refugee aid worldwide? Below, we explore the key questions about this significant leadership change and what it could mean for the future of the UNHCR.
More on these topics
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Barham Salih is an Iraqi Kurdish politician who is the eighth and current President of Iraq.
He is the former Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region and a former deputy prime minister of the Iraqi federal government.
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Filippo Grandi is a diplomat and United Nations official of Italy, current United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
He previously served as Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East an
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a United Nations agency mandated to aid and protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people, and to assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration