- Body of Osman Hadi Returns to Dhaka From Singapore Late |
- Fakhrul condemns attacks on media, calls for unity, justice |
- 2 cops among 4 hurt in clash outside Indian Assit H.C. in Ctg |
- Inqilab Moncho urges people to avoid violence |
- Hadi’s death: Prothom Alo, Daily Star offices set afire |
Iraq’s ex president Salih elected UNHCR chief
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Friday welcomed former Iraqi president Barham Salih for being elected as the head of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).
Salih was elected by the UN General Assembly in New York through a competitive selection process involving candidates from several countries.
He will assume office on January 1, 2026, with Geneva as his duty station.
Grandi said Salih has been engaged in high-level public service for more than three decades and possesses resolute leadership qualities and thoughtful diplomatic judgment.
“He comes from a country that has experienced conflict, persecution and displacement in recent years, which gives him a direct understanding of the challenges facing refugees today,” Grandi said.
He added that Salih’s experience and background make him well suited to lead UNHCR at a time when global displacement has reached unprecedented levels.
Grandi’s 10-year tenure as UN High Commissioner for Refugees will end on December 31. He took office in January 2016 and has since led the agency through major global displacement crises, including those in Syria, Ukraine and Sudan.
Despite significant cuts to humanitarian funding this year, UNHCR continues to operate in 128 countries worldwide.
Earlier this month, UNHCR marked 75 years of service dedicated to the protection of forcibly displaced people across the globe, reports UNB.