The United Nations General Assembly has elected former Iraqi President Barham Salih as the next head of the United Nations refugee agency, marking the first time since the late 1970s that someone from the Middle East will lead the organization. Salih, a Kurdish politician and former refugee himself, was chosen by consensus and applauded by diplomats in the assembly. He brings decades of diplomatic and political experience, having served as Iraq's president and held various government positions after returning from exile following the fall of Saddam Hussein. Salih will succeed the outgoing chief at a time of record global displacement and significant funding challenges for humanitarian operations, and he has pledged to lead with empathy and a renewed focus on impact and accountability.