After more than two decades, the United Nations ends the presence of its mission in Iraq and confirms the continuation of the partnership

🔹The departure of the UN mission does not mean the end of the strong partnership between Iraq and the United Nations, but rather the beginning of a new chapter rooted in Iraq’s leadership of its future.

🔹The road to peace, security and stability was long and difficult, but with the support of the international community, Iraq emerged victorious.

🔹Praise for holding the elections, and expressing hope that the new government will be formed without delay.

🔹Humanitarian needs have increased due to the effects of conflicts, and about a million Iraqis are still displaced, including more than 100,000 people, the majority of whom are Yazidis from Sinjar.

🔹Many challenges still exist in the field of human rights, specifically ensuring the implementation and protection of the rights of minorities, women and youth.

He looked forward to transferring the mandate related to missing Kuwaitis, third-country nationals, and missing property from UNAMI to a high-ranking representative in accordance with the Security Council resolution.

Last briefing before the end of the mission’s work

After more than two decades of work in supporting stability and political transformation in Iraq, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) is preparing to end its mandate at the end of this year, thus turning an important international page.

Mohammed Al-Hassan began his briefing by expressing his deep gratitude to the Government of Iraq for hosting the UNAMI mission and partnering with it since its launch 22 years ago. He also thanked Iraq and Kuwait for their cooperation and support in implementing the mission’s mandate.

He added: “Today is a great day in which the international community witnesses the honorable and dignified conclusion of a UN mission.”

Al-Hassan reviewed the progress of UNAMI’s work since its founding in 2003 in a country that suffered “decades of dictatorship, wars, and ISIS terrorism,” stressing that Iraq emerged victorious with countless sacrifices and the support of the international community.

Al-Hassan took the opportunity to honor the memory of all those who lost their lives during the work of the mission, including the 22 United Nations employees who died in the bombing of the Canal Hotel in 2003, praising them and his late colleague Sergio Vieira de Mello, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, and saluting the survivors in whom the effects of this terrorist act remain engraved.

Leaving UNAMI is not the end

The UN official stressed that the departure of the UNAMI mission does not mean the end of the partnership between Iraq and the United Nations, “but rather it represents the beginning of a new chapter rooted in Iraq’s leadership of its future.”

He said that the United Nations will continue to stand with Iraq to build on its hard-won gains, by providing technical expertise, advice and programmatic support by the United Nations country team on issues such as inclusive economic growth, climate resilience, human rights, displacement, and the full and meaningful participation of women, youth and minorities.

A tribute to the steadfastness of the Iraqi people

Al-Hassan praised the steadfastness of Iraq and its people in building a more secure and prosperous future, recalling the national achievements that were gradually achieved despite all the difficulties. He stressed that Iraq succeeded in strengthening democracy through thirteen successful electoral processes and the adoption of a new constitution.

Al-Hassan highlighted the sixth parliamentary elections held on November 11, describing them as one of the “The freest, most organized and most credible elections.” There was a noticeable increase in voter turnout of 56%. He congratulated the Iraqi people, the Independent High Electoral Commission, and the UNAMI mission for the services provided during these elections.

Al-Hassan expressed his confidence that Iraq will continue to build on this strong electoral base, calling for the acceleration of the formation of a new government without delay, noting that the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government is still pending after a year of negotiations.

He said that the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil is a very important partnership that requires more open cooperation and dialogue on the basis of the Iraqi constitution.

Commitment to the highest standards of human rights protection

Muhammad Al-Hassan congratulated Iraq on its election as a member of the Human Rights Council, stressing that this membership comes with a similar responsibility of adhering to the highest standards of human rights protection.

He touched on the many challenges that he said still remained in this regard, especially with regard to ensuring full protection and realization of the rights of minorities, women and youth, and continuing to support freedom of expression as a basic pillar of open public dialogue in a strong democratic society. This also includes respecting the rights of girls and preventing the marriage of underage girls.

Relations with Kuwait

Turning to the file of relations with Kuwait, Al-Hassan expressed his aspiration to transfer the jurisdiction of missing Kuwaitis, third-country nationals and missing property – including the National Archives – to a high-level representative, as decided by the Security Council.

He encouraged both countries to renew efforts to close these outstanding files, which include more than 300 missing persons. He welcomed the recent meetings to demarcate the maritime borders between the two countries, calling for achieving practical and tangible results.

He added: “I encourage both Iraq and Kuwait to maintain strong relations based on the principles of good neighborliness and respect United Nations Charter And international law, in addition to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states. I repeat, once again, that I see no reason why Iraq and Kuwait cannot enjoy the best relations. Restoring eroded trust requires concrete steps to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.”