Barham Salih

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

[UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency @Refugees]

It's because of war.
It's because of violence.
It's because of persecution.
It’s a heartbreaking decision that 41.6 million people have made to flee across borders to find safety.

#GlobalTrends

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

Refugee numbers declined in 2025, but the story behind the figures matters.

Most refugees want to go home, but it must be voluntary, safe and with dignity.

For every person forced to flee…

Protection matters. Solutions matter.

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

I sat down with Ali Hamadi—fellow Iraqi, fellow refugee—now set to represent Iraq at its first World Cup in 40 years.
When he fled as a child, this moment would have felt unimaginable.
Life can take us farther than we ever expect—and sometimes brings our stories full circle.

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

I welcome the announcement by UN SG @antonioguterres to appoint Tressa Rae Finerty as Deputy High Commissioner, Antón Leis García as Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, and Edem Wosornu as Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, to join me in leading @Refugees.

People forced to flee need protection, peace and solutions. I look forward to working with these outstanding leaders to deliver on UNHCR mandate—and to advance real, lasting change worldwide.

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

Thank you, Cindy, for a lifetime of service and for leading @WFP with dignity and compassion. Your leadership brought food to those in crisis and hope to families forced to flee. You leave an inspiring legacy—wishing you every success ahead.

[Carl Skau @WFPChief]

🧵Today marks my last day at @WFP—and the end of one of the most pivotal chapters of my life.

In three years, we raised $25B to save and change millions of lives. From conflicts to climate shocks, the forces driving hunger have never been more relentless.

And yet, we delivered:

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

جەژنی قوربانتان پیرۆز بێت، ولەم جەژنەدا نزا و هیوای دڵسۆزانەمان ئەوەیە کە ئاشتەوایی و دادپەروەری جێگیر بێت، و کۆتایی بە مەینەتی ئاوارەکان بێت بە گەڕانەوەیان بۆ زێدی خۆیان بە ئازادی و سەرفرازی.
هەر لە جەژنان بن، خۆتان و کەسوکار هەمیشە لە خۆشی و شادیدا بن.

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

أبارك لكم عيد الأضحى، وهنيئاً لمن أتمّ مناسك الحج. دعواتنا الخالصة في هذا العيد أن يعمّ السلام و الأمان و الإزدهار، وأن تنتهي معاناة كل نازح ومهجّر قسراً بعودة قريبة وآمنة إلى دياره. كل عام وأنتم والأهل بخير…

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

Eid al-Adha greetings! Wishing all who celebrate a peaceful and blessed day filled with generosity and compassion. May the spirit of Eid extend to refugees and all those rebuilding their lives after hardship — and may we stand together in solidarity and shared humanity.

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

In Oslo today, I joined humanitarian leaders and partners to underscore the importance of protection, assistance in emergency situations and solutions for those displaced.
In meetings with refugees, civil society and Ministers I recognized Norway’s continued leadership and our commitment to deliver on our mandate.

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

Humanitarian aid is never the end goal.

This week, UNHCR and @UNDP updated our partnership to advance self-reliance and lasting solutions for people forced to flee.

Together, we can help displaced people and host communities build a more stable future.
https://t.co/2Qb8Il4wJm

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

Norway’s support to UNHCR reflects a commitment to protection, people forced to flee and conflict-affected communities. Great meeting with @GunnRoset, Director of NORAD, in Oslo today, on continued support for crises response as well as pathways to solutions.

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

It is always powerful to see what emerges when talent meets opportunity.
Ahead of the 2026 #FIFAWorldCup, UNHCR’s Gamechanging Team highlights players whose childhoods were shaped by displacement.
I am inspired by the courage and determination in these stories.

[UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency @Refugees]

They once stood as children whose lives were shaped by displacement.

Today, they stand together at the highest level of the game.

UNHCR’s Gamechanging Team ahead of the 2026 #FIFAWorldCup shows what’s possible when children forced to flee are given safety and opportunity.

*This video was made using AI to help visualize childhood and present-day versions of the player.

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

Pleased to meet Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, @jica_direct_en President in Tokyo today.
We discussed the importance of stronger humanitarian-development partnerships to support refugees and displaced communities, and ways to deepen cooperation between UNHCR and JICA.

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

Congratulations to @FilippoGrandi, former High Commissioner for Refugees, on being awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order Rising Sun decoration by HM the Emperor of Japan. A truly well‑deserved honour for a lifetime of service and deep humanity. Proud across the UNHCR community.

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

Substantive discussion with French Foreign Minister, @jnbarrot , today in Paris.
We count on France’s support, a key partner for UNHCR and people forced to flee.
We covered major crises—from Sudan to Ukraine and the Great Lakes—and the need to sustain global support for those forced to flee, and advancing durable solutions.

@francediplo_EN

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

Great to see President @EmmanuelMacron today at @Elysee. We discussed key humanitarian crises and efforts to advance solutions for those forced to flee. Grateful for France’s longstanding leadership in supporting refugees and for its strong partnership with UNHCR.

[Ilan Goldfajn @igoldfajn]

Great meeting @BarhamSalih, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to discuss solutions for migrants and refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean.

We look forward to continuing to work together connecting people to services, jobs, and opportunity across the region.
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Buen encuentro con Barham Salih, Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Refugiados, para conversar sobre soluciones para migrantes y refugiados en América Latina y el Caribe.

Esperamos seguir trabajando juntos, conectando a las personas con servicios, empleo y oportunidades en toda la región.
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Foi um prazer encontrar Barham Salih, Alto Comissário das Na��ões Unidas para os Refugiados, para discutir soluções para migrantes e refugiados na América Latina e no Caribe.

Esperamos continuar trabalhando juntos, conectando pessoas a serviços, empregos e oportunidades em toda a região.

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

Our U.S. humanitarian partners provide essential support globally to people fleeing war and violence.
At @InterActionOrg, I met President Tom Hart, @Tom_InterAction, and leaders we collaborate with on life-saving protection and solutions and thanked them for their vital work.

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

NGO partners are key to strengthening protection and solutions for people forced to flee.
I was pleased to join ICVA and international NGO representatives for an exchange on strengthening collaboration and reaffirming the value of our partnership.

[UNHCR Germany @UNHCR_de]

1/ High Commissioner @BarhamSalih visited Berlin, reaffirming strong cooperation with Germany. 🇩🇪

Grateful to Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for raising his voice against social division and for upholding dignity and respect for people forced to flee.