Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf held bilateral talks Friday with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi’s successor Barham Salih on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum.
Attaf told dzwatch that he renewed Algeria’s congratulations to Salih on assuming leadership of UNHCR earlier this year, reaffirming Algiers’ full backing for his mission.
Both sides reviewed cooperation frameworks between Algeria and UNHCR, with particular focus on programs dedicated to Sahrawi refugees — a population Algeria has long championed in the face of Morocco’s illegal occupation of Western Sahara.
The two officials also addressed growing challenges threatening UNHCR’s capacity to manage refugee crises worldwide, with Algeria pledging continued engagement to ensure humanitarian commitments are upheld.
