Tag Archives | Barham Saleh

Barham Salih Elected UN High Commissioner for Refugees

By John Lee. The United Nations General Assembly has elected Barham Ahmed Salih of Iraq as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), for a five-year term. He will succeed Filippo Grandi of Italy and is expected to assume office on 1 January 2026, based in Geneva. A statement from the office of […]

Former Iraqi President to head UN Refugee Agency?

By John Lee. Former Iraqi president Barham Salih has been reportedly been chosen as the new United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Unconfirmed media reports say he will start a five-year term leading the Geneva-based refugee agency from the start of January. He would replace Filippo Grandi, an Italian diplomat who has served two […]

Iraq Needs Root-and-Branch Reform -- Fmr President

By Barham Salih, a former President of Iraq, for Foreign Policy. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. 20 Years After Liberation, Iraq Needs Root-and-Branch Reform The system of government set up after 2003 has run its course. Click here to read […]

Fighting Climate Change "an Economic Opportunity" for Iraq

Writing in the Financial Times, Iraqi President Barham Salih argues that addressing climate change represents an opportunity for Iraq and the region to introduce measures that will leave them on a more solid foundation as they face the challenges of the decades to come. Click here to read the full article (subscription required) (Picture: Tigris […]

A Climate Change Initiative to Transform Iraq

From the Office of the Iraqi President: Mesopotamia Revitalization Project: A Climate Change initiative to Transform Iraq and The Middle East Addressing climate change must become a national priority for Iraq. The country is one of the most at-risk from climate-change impact; according to the UN Environment Program, Iraq is the 5th most vulnerable globally […]

Video: A Conversation with Iraqi President Barham Salih

By John Lee. President Barham Salih discussed Iraq's role in regional conflicts and its relationship with the United States, in an hour-long interview with Frances Fragos Townsend, for the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Click here to see the full interview. (Source: Council on Foreign Relations)

Iraqi President Meets US President Biden

US President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met on Tuesday with the President Barham Saleh of Iraq on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York. Together they discussed strengthening the bilateral relationship and deepening cooperation on regional diplomatic initiatives. President Biden stressed the U.S. commitment to Iraq's long-term stability and the leaders reaffirmed […]

Iraq unveils massive Anti-Corruption Project

By Joe Snell for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq unveils massive anti-corruption project Following remarks from Iraqi President Barham Salih [Saleh] (pictured), who admitted on Sunday that Iraq has lost $150 billion since 2003 to corruption, a […]

Anti-Corruption Bill sparks Debate

From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqi president's anti-corruption bill sparks debate Iraqi President Barham Salih has announced the submission of a bill to the country's parliament entitled "Recovering the Proceeds of Corruption." The president claims that widespread corruption […]

Iraq seeks to Recover Looted Funds

By John Lee. The Iraqi President, Barham Salih (pictured), has reportedly announced new legal measures to recover funds looted from Iraq. Economist Basem Jamil Antoun told Asharq Al-Awsat that funds stolen since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003 are estimated at $250 billion. Click here to read the full story. (Source: Asharq Al-Awsat)

Iraqi Kurdish Police Arrest Journalist for "Defamation"

From the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ): Iraqi Kurdish police arrest journalist Bahroz Jaafer over criminal defamation suit filed by Iraq's president Kurdish authorities in Iraq should immediately release journalist Bahroz Jaafer, drop all charges against him, and allow the press to cover and write critically about politicians without fear of detention or legal action, […]