Jordan on Friday welcomed the United Nations General Assembly’s decision to approve the appointment of former Iraqi president Barham Salih as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, wishing him success in his duties.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Fuad Majali stressed the Kingdom’s full support for the UN Refugee Agency and the important role it plays in protecting the rights of refugees, according to a ministry statement.
He stressed the importance of continuing cooperation and coordination with the agency to ensure the necessary support to provide refugees with a dignified life and assist host countries in shouldering the burdens of hosting refugees.
Majali also expressed the Kingdom’s appreciation for the efforts made by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi during his term in office.
Meanwhile, Grandi has welcomed the election by the General Assembly in New York of Salih as his successor to lead UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
The incoming high commissioner was selected after a competitive process in New York that attracted candidates from various countries. Salih is expected to assume office on January 1, and will also be based in Geneva, according to a UNHCR statement.
“Barham Salih brings decades of high-level public service, marked by steady leadership and thoughtful diplomacy, Grandi said.
Coming from a country recently marked by conflict, persecution and displacement, he has first-hand experience of the challenges many refugees face today, the outgoing commissioner noted.
“His background and experience make him well suited to lead UNHCR at a time of large-scale displacement and increasingly complex humanitarian and political challenges,” said Grandi.
Grandi’s 10-year tenure as High Commissioner will conclude on December 31. He became High Commissioner in January 2016 and has since led UNHCR’s response to major displacement crises worldwide, including in Syria, Ukraine and Sudan.
Despite deep cuts in humanitarian funding this year, UNHCR remains present in 128 countries with nearly 90 per cent of its more than 14,600 staff working in the field. This month, UNHCR marks 75 years of protecting people forced to flee, according to the statement.