Barham Salih transitioned from a background in civil engineering to becoming a pivotal figure in Iraqi governance, culminating in his role as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees starting in January 2026. Born in 1960 in Sulaymaniyah, he navigated decades of political turbulence, including his tenure as the President of Iraq from 2018 until 2022.
Early Activism and Academic Training
Salih entered the political arena in 1976 by joining the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. His early resistance against the Ba'athist regime led to two arrests in 1979, resulting in 43 days of detention and torture in a Kirkuk prison. Following his release, he departed Iraq for the United Kingdom. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Cardiff University in 1983 and subsequently completed a Doctorate in Statistics and Computer Applications in Engineering at the University of Liverpool in 1987.
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Following the 2003 collapse of the Ba'athist regime, Salih held several federal positions. He served as Deputy Prime Minister in the 2004 Interim Government and Minister of Planning in 2005. During his time as Deputy Prime Minister under Nouri al-Maliki, he managed the economic portfolio and introduced the International Compact with Iraq, a diplomatic initiative designed to foster federal prosperity and democratic stability through international cooperation.
Regional Leadership in Kurdistan
In 2009, Salih spearheaded the Kurdistani List to victory in legislative elections, subsequently becoming Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government. His tenure involved managing domestic opposition and signing a significant oil contract with ExxonMobil. He resigned in April 2012 as part of a pre-arranged political agreement between the KDP and PUK coalition. In 2017, he briefly formed an opposition party, the Coalition for Democracy and Justice, before returning to the PUK in 2018.
Presidency and International Humanitarian Work
Elected President of Iraq on 2 October 2018, Salih oversaw a volatile period marked by large-scale protests and regional tensions. During his term, he championed the Yazidi Female Survivors Law, which was enacted in 2021 to provide reparations for victims of sexual violence. After leaving the presidency in 2022, he moved into the international sphere. In December 2025, the United Nations General Assembly elected him as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a role he assumed on 1 January 2026.
Fast facts
- Born: 1960, Sulaymaniyah
- Education: Cardiff University and University of Liverpool
- President of Iraq: 2018-2022
- Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan: 2009-2012
- UNHCR Appointment: 1 January 2026
- Religion: Sunni Islam
- Languages: English, Arabic, Kurdish
Questions readers ask
What significant legislation did Salih support as President?
He submitted the Yazidi Female Survivors Law to Parliament in 2019, which was passed in 2021 to provide reparation measures for Yazidi women.
When did Salih begin his role as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees?
He was elected to the position on 18 December 2025 and officially assumed the role on 1 January 2026.
Achievements
- President of Iraq (2018–2022)
- Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan (2009–2012)
- Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq (2006–2009)
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (from 2026)
- Educated at Cardiff University and University of Liverpool
