Barham Salih, the former president of Iraq who once fled persecution under Saddam Hussein, has been chosen by the United Nations General Assembly to serve as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The selection was made without a vote after a nomination from the Secretary-General. Salih will take over from Filippo Grandi, who has held the position since 2016, and his five-year term will commence on January 1, 2026.