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2024-12-06T17:50:11+00:00

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Shafaq News/ The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq, Mohamed Al-Hassan, delivered a comprehensive briefing to the UN Security Council, highlighting Iraq’s strides toward stability and the ongoing challenges it faces.

“Iraq today is not the same as it was 20 years ago or even five years ago,” Al-Hassan said. “Despite numerous obstacles, Iraq is more secure, stable, and open.” He expressed confidence in Iraq’s ability to overcome crises and move toward a brighter future.

Al-Hassan outlined positive developments, including the successful completion of Iraq’s national census, the election of a new parliament speaker, and the recent Kurdistan Region elections. He also praised the government’s commitment to infrastructure development and improving public services.

The envoy commended Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani’s firm stance in keeping Iraq out of conflicts, calling the country a “strong voice for peace and stability.”

“PM Al-Sudani has consistently called for an end to regional tensions, stressing need for respect of Iraqi sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Efforts to position Iraq as a hub for transportation, energy, and trade were also lauded. “Such initiatives underscore Iraq’s efforts to foster regional integration and prosperity, which also bring hopes and opportunities.”

While highlighting progress, Al-Hassan acknowledged that corruption continues to hinder Iraq’s socio-economic growth, stressing that “Iraq requires comprehensive changes and reform that will bolster accountability, promote competency, improve transparency, and fortify governance systems.”

“I fully trust the government is taking promising steps in this direction.”

The envoy also called for stronger state institutions and the promotion of human rights as “the country moving away from its dark past.” However, he expressed regret over delays in appointing the board of the Independent High Commission for Human Rights…

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The UK welcomes the UN’s transition planning and the cooperation between the Government of Iraq and UNAMI. It is important that this transition happens smoothly.

We also welcome the holding of parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on 20 October and UNAMI’s support to the Independent High Electoral Commission in successfully conducting these elections.

This serves as an important expression of the voice of the people of the KRI and the continued democratic legitimacy of the Kurdistan Regional Government.

Now that the results have been certified, we hope for a swift government formation process. We also hope that UNAMI will continue to work closely with IHEC in the final year of its mandate.

Lessons learned from the KRI elections can inform the planning of federal elections scheduled for next year.

President, as a member of the ICRC-chaired Tripartite Commission for the Missing from the First Gulf War, the UK is committed to supporting the Kuwait missing persons and property file.

We welcome Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s personal commitment to this issue and urge the Government of Iraq to redouble its efforts in line with Security Council Resolution 2732.

We hope this transitional period provides Iraq with an opportunity to demonstrate tangible progress, and we will work with Iraq, Kuwait and other parties to ensure a suitable follow-on mechanism as appropriate.

We are reviewing the proposed amendments to Iraq’s Personal Status Law and emphasise the importance of any amendments being compatible with Iraq’s international obligations.

Following recent events in Syria, we are concerned about the potential for further escalation in the region including its impact on Iraq and the KRI.

We urge those with influence to encourage militias based in Iraq to refrain from attacks, including on Israeli population centres which risk further conflict.

The UK will continue to press…

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