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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to visit Baghdad on Saturday to mark the end of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).
Guterres is expected to “express his gratitude to the Mission’s staff members and to the Government and people of Iraq for hosting UNAMI for 22 years,” according to a statement from his office.
While in Baghdad, the secretary-general will hold bilateral meetings with Iraqi leaders, including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the statement added.
UNAMI was established in 2003 at the request of Iraqi authorities. Although it does not directly implement humanitarian or development programs, the mission has played a key role in coordinating the work of more than 20 UN agencies operating in the country. Its chief also serves as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq.
The mission’s mandate, renewed annually by the UN Security Council, is set to expire on December 31, 2025, following a request by Sudani in May 2024. The Iraqi premier said at the time that improved security and political stability have reduced the need for the mission’s continued presence.
UNAMI’s responsibilities have included facilitating political dialogue among Iraqi factions and between Iraq and neighboring states, supporting electoral processes, monitoring human rights, and coordinating humanitarian aid in conflict-affected areas. Critics warn that ending the mission could diminish international oversight, particularly during future elections.
Guterres began a tour of the Middle East on Wednesday, with his first stop in Saudi Arabia, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss pressing regional developments.
Following his trip to Baghdad, he will return to Saudi Arabia to participate in the 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, scheduled for December 14-15 in Riyadh.
The secretary-general will conclude his regional tour with a visit to Oman, where he is expected…
As the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) closes this month and Iraq continues to progress, the United Kingdom encourages a continued focus on priorities that will underpin Iraq’s long-term stability and prosperity.
These include upholding Iraq’s sovereignty and constructive engagement with international partners, strengthening the rule of law and the effectiveness of state institutions, and delivering urgent economic reforms to create opportunities for all Iraqis.
We also urge greater efforts to tackle corruption and diversify Iraq’s economy. The United Kingdom stands ready to support Iraq in making progress on these objectives.
The recent parliamentary elections were a significant milestone, and we commend the determination of the Iraqi people to shape their future through the ballot box. We hope to see a swift conclusion to the process of government formation.
We also commend the efforts of all those involved in delivering the electoral process including the support offered by UNAMI.
As this UN Security Council chapter closes, we hope that Iraq will continue to partner with the United Nations, particularly on human rights. The United Kingdom welcomes steps to improve women’s political participation in Iraq.
We encourage the Iraqi authorities to enact robust child protection and women’s rights legislation, and to ensure all survivors of sexual and gender-based violence receive the accountability and support they deserve.
On the missing persons file, we welcome the recent handover of 400 boxes of Kuwaiti national archive materials by Iraq. We commend the cooperation on this important issue between all relevant stakeholders, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, and we echo the Secretary-General’s call for continued efforts in this regard.
We look forward to the upcoming appointment of a Senior Representative to support meaningful cooperation on this file, particularly around identifying new witnesses, harnessing modern technology, and sustaining momentum on outstanding cases of missing Kuwaiti and third country nationals.
The United Kingdom reaffirms its commitment to Iraq’s sovereignty, stability, and prosperity, and stands ready to support the…
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on Tuesday delivered his final address before the Security Council, voicing support for Iraq beyond the end of the mission’s mandate, which is set to expire December 31.
“UNAMI’s departure does not mark an end to the Iraq-UN partnership, rather, it represents the start of a new chapter rooted in Iraq’s leadership of its own future,” Mohamed al-Hassan said at the UN Security Council in New York.
UNAMI was established in 2003 under UN Security Council Resolution 1500, following a request from the Iraqi government at the time. The mission advises the government on political dialogue and reconciliation, as well as helping with elections and security sector reform.
It is set to end on December 31.
“The United Nations will continue standing by Iraq to build on its hard-won gains through the provisions of technical expertise, advice, and programmatic support by the United Nations country team on matters such as inclusive economic growth, climate resilience, human rights, displacement, and the full and meaningful participation of women, youth, and minorities,” Hassan added.
The UNAMI chief called on Baghdad and Erbil to resolve their “outstanding issues,” including in the country’s disputed territories. Hassan urged both the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to form their new cabinets without further delay.
The Kurdistan Region held parliamentary elections in October 2024, but the winners, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), have failed to form the government due to ongoing political wrangling over posts.
Baghdad, on the other hand, held its parliamentary elections last month, with UNAMI support.
“Iraq was able to incrementally consolidate hard-won gains against the odds,” Hassan said, praising…
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, Mohammed Al Hassan, briefed members for the last time as the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) prepares to conclude its mandate on 31 December after more than two decades of service.
“Today, indeed, is a great day for the international community and the United Nations to witness an honourable and dignified closure of a UN mission,” he said.
Victory and sacrifice
UNAMI was established by the Council in 2003. At the time, the country was “grappling with the effects of decades of dictatorship, regional wars, internal conflicts, foreign occupation, and the terror of Da’esh,” he recalled.
“The road to peace, security and stability was long and difficult. However, with the support of the international community Iraq came out victorious, but with untold sacrifices,” he said.
He used the opportunity to honour the memory of all those who lost their lives since UNAMI began operations, including the 22 UN staff killed in the Canal Hotel bombing in August 2003 – among the darkest days in the history of the organization.
Hard-won gains
Mr. Al Hassan said both he and his predecessors have been struck by the resilience and steadfastness of Iraq and its people as they worked to build a more secure and prosperous future.
“From the adoption of a new Constitution to the strengthening and consolidation of democracy through 13 successful electoral processes, Iraq was able to incrementally consolidate hard-won gains against the odds,” he said.
Last month, Iraq held its sixth parliamentary elections and the process was marked by a notable increase in turnout of registered voters, 56 per cent. The vote was also among the most free, orderly and credible polls conducted so far.
He congratulated the Iraqi people, the Independent High Electoral Commission and UNAMI, which provided electoral assistance.
“I can hardly think of a more fitting final chapter to UNAMI’s activities than the scenes witnessed by myself and my team at polling stations across the country, as Iraqis from diverse backgrounds lined up in orderly queues, eager to cast their ballots,” he said.
“While I express…
Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at a UNSC Briefing on Iraq
2 December 2025
Madam President,
We congratulate you on assuming the presidency of the Security Council in December and thank the delegation of Sierra Leone for its able stewardship of the Council during the past month.
We are grateful to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mohamed Al-Hassan for his briefing on the situation in the Republic of Iraq. Given that this is your final report in this capacity, we would like to express our gratitude for your wise and responsible leadership of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), which has enabled the exemplary drawdown of the mission and the transfer of functions to the host country and United Nations entities operating on the ground.
The parliamentary election of 11 November has become a key event over the recent period, the vote was held with the assistance of UNAMI, was overseen by an impressive number of international observers and had a very high turnout of 56.11%, which is 12.57% higher than in 2021. The fact that the election took place in a calm and peaceful atmosphere, without any serious incidents that could compromise the results, attests to the maturity of Iraqi democracy and its state institutions.
We note the tireless efforts by Muhammad al-Sudani’s government on both the socio-economic and security tracks. The Iraqi authorities have managed to garner nearly $1 billion from the World Bank to modernize the railway infrastructure within the subsequent seven years. There is also an agreement reached between the federal government and Erbil to resume supplies via the Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline. Owing to the efforts of the Iraqi security services, the threat from ISIL has been minimized, as has the number of civilian…
Post-war Iraq will lead its own future after the United Nations closes its mission there at year’s end, the UN envoy to the Middle Eastern country said Tuesday.
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) will be shutting down its operations after 22 years of helping the country transition from instability in the wake of the 2003 US-led invasion and occupation as well as the ouster of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship.
UNAMI’s departure “represents the start of a new chapter rooted in Iraq’s leadership of its own future,” Mohamed Al Hassan, the head of the mission, told the UN Security Council during a meeting devoted to the situation in Iraq.
He assured the council that the international community was witnessing “an honorable and dignified closure of a UN mission.”
But “the road to peace, security and stability was long and difficult,” he added.
With the international community’s support, “Iraq came out victorious, but with untold sacrifices,” Al Hassan said.
Last year, the mission established in 2003 was extended one last time until December 31, 2025.
Baghdad said the closing of the UN mission marked “the completion of the political building process initiated in 2003 after the fall of the dictatorial regime.”
UNAMI’s tasks included advising the government on political dialogue and reconciliation, as well as helping with elections and security sector reform.
On Tuesday, Al Hassan addressed the council after Iraq held its sixth parliamentary election in November.
The envoy expressed the hope that a new Iraqi government would be formed without delay.
“Iraq has overcome successive conflicts on a hard-won path to stability,” he said.
“Nevertheless, the lasting effects of conflict have given rise to dire and persisting humanitarian needs, with about 1 million Iraqis remaining internally displaced.”
Madam President,
I would like to begin by congratulating you on Slovenia’s presidency of the Security Council for the month of December and by thanking Sierra Leone for the conduct of our work last month.
I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Mohammed Al Hassan, and all the staff of UNAMI for their constant commitment in the service of Iraq. In that regard, I would like to pay a particular tribute to Sergio Vieira de Mello and to the members of the United Nations who lost their lives in 2003 while serving for this Mission. Finally, I would like to welcome the presence among us of the representatives of Iraq and Kuwait.
I have three points to make.
1/ Firstly, France welcomes the smooth conduct of the parliamentary elections held in Iraq on November 11.
In recent months, Iraq has demonstrated a real capacity to move forward on the path of strengthening its institutions. The successful holding of the November 11 elections, conducted on schedule and throughout the country, follows Iraq’s political and security progress. These developments illustrate the resilience of the Iraqi people and their determination to consolidate their democratic institutions.
France encourages Iraq to continue its efforts in key areas such as economic diversification, the fight against corruption, and the promotion of youth employment and gender equality. We also support the effective implementation of human rights in Iraq.
2/ Secondly, Iraq’s stability must be preserved from regional tensions.
In a regional context marked by multiple sources of instability, Iraq plays an essential balancing role. France commends the Iraqi government’s efforts to prevent the country from being drawn into the crises that are splitting the region. We encourage all regional actors to fully respect Iraq’s sovereignty and to refrain from any interference.
The fight…
The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
**Guest Tomorrow
All right, good afternoon. We have no guests today, so you will have to deal with me. Tomorrow, our guest will be Giles Duley, the UN Global Advocate for Persons with Disabilities in Conflict and Peacebuilding Situations. He will be here to brief you on the International Day for Persons with Disabilities.
**Floods in Asia
I have a statement regarding the floods in Asia, and I can tell you that the Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life caused by severe flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. More than 1,000 people have reportedly lost their lives, with many missing and millions affected as heavy rains continue to inundate large areas.
The Secretary-General conveys his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and expresses his solidarity with all those affected by these devastating floods. The United Nations is in close contact with authorities in all of these countries and of course stands ready to support relief and response efforts. UN country teams remain at the disposal of Governments to provide necessary assistance, and some are already doing so.
**Iraq
This morning, the Security Council heard, for the last time, from the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in a briefing on the situation in that country. As you know, the mission will conclude its mandate on 31 December this year. Mohamed al Hassan, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq and Head of UNAMI, opened by expressing profound appreciation to the Government and people of Iraq who have stood as partners to the UN through some of the nation’s most challenging chapters.
He recalled that when the Council established UNAMI 22 years ago, Iraq was confronting a legacy of dictatorship, regional wars, internal conflict,…
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