Türkiye's Fidan meets UN refugee chief Salih in Ankara

2026-01-29 - 13:20

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has held high-level talks in Ankara with the United Nations' top official for global refugee affairs. The meeting with UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Barham Salih underscores the critical nature of refugee issues in Türkiye's foreign policy and its ongoing partnership with international humanitarian bodies. Diplomatic Engagement on a Key Priority The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the meeting took place on Thursday in the capital, announcing the engagement on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal. While the ministry's brief statement did not provide details of the discussion, such high-level consultations typically cover a wide range of issues central to both parties' mandates. Given Türkiye's unique position, the talks likely addressed global refugee trends, funding for humanitarian operations, and specific regional crises affecting displacement. Türkiye's Role as the World's Leading Refugee Host The context for the meeting is Türkiye's unparalleled role in hosting refugees. For over a decade, Türkiye has hosted the world's largest refugee population, currently providing for approximately 3.5 million registered Syrians alone, in addition to hundreds of thousands from other nations like Afghanistan and Iraq. This massive responsibility places significant social, economic, and political strain on the country. High-level dialogues with the UNHCR are essential for coordinating international support, discussing voluntary return programs, and ensuring the protection and integration of those under temporary protection status. Addressing Regional Crises and Future Cooperation Beyond the domestic situation, Minister Fidan and High Commissioner Salih undoubtedly discussed pressing regional displacement crises. Key topics likely included the ongoing situation in Syria, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and instability in Afghanistan and Sudan, all of which generate significant refugee flows. The meeting also serves to align strategies for the future, focusing on durable solutions, enhancing international burden-sharing, and strengthening the global refugee protection regime. As a pivotal actor at the intersection of multiple migration routes, Türkiye's cooperation with the UNHCR is vital for managing one of the defining humanitarian challenges of the era.