Tag: Unami

“Iraq is a nation of profound history, strength, potential, and pride. By working together, Iraqis can continue to make meaningful strides towards stability, prosperity and human rights for all,” said Special Representative Mohamed Al Hassan, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

He provided updates on political, human rights and other developments over the past six months, and the Mission’s ongoing support to the authorities as it prepares to leave at the end of the year.

UNAMI was established in 2003 and works to advance inclusive political dialogue as well as reconciliation at the national and community levels, among other mandated tasks.

Parliamentary elections ahead

At the outset, Mr. Hassan commended the Iraqi Government for providing humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen and Syria, and for supporting the new peace initiative between Türkiye and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, a militant group known as PKK.

He said Iraq is well on the way to fresh parliamentary elections set for 11 November, and the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) is making notable progress towards polling day, with UNAMI’s technical support.

Although voter registration should conclude in the coming days, and nearly three-quarters of all voters have completed biometric registration, challenges and logistical concerns remain.

Supporting the vote

“But IHEC is committed to doing its best towards a free, fair and transparent election with the participation of all Iraqis without fear and intimidation,” he said.

“UNAMI will spare no effort in providing the most professional technical support towards this end, including efforts to promote the widest participation of women, youth and minorities.”

Mr. Al Hassan also reported on the aftermath of the successful parliamentary elections held in the Kurdistan region in northern Iraq last October. With formation of a regional government still outstanding, he called for a spirit of compromise to break the impasse.

Returnees from Syria

Turning…

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Firstly, we welcome the smooth transition period towards the end of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq. It is encouraging to see that Iraq has remained stable despite an escalation of conflict in the region during the last 6 months. 

We commend the publication of Iraq’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and the announcement of a date for federal elections.

UNAMI’s support to the Independent High Electoral Commission on the upcoming elections has been very valuable. And it was very good to hear today, from the SRSG, about the progress being made toward key milestones.

We look forward to UNAMI assisting the Government of Iraq during the remainder of its mandate in ensuring the elections are free and fair.

Second, President, we continue to follow closely efforts in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to form its regional government.  

This is vital for the stability of the KRI and should ideally precede the federal elections. We hope that the political leaders and parties of the KRI can overcome their differences and form a government soon.

In this important electoral year for Iraq, we urge the Government of Iraq to ensure the protection of freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly, and to strengthen legal protection guarantees for journalists, the media and civil society.

Finally, President, we thank the Secretary-General for his recent report on Kuwait, Iraq missing persons. As penholder on this issue and a member of the ICRC-chaired Tripartite Commission, we look forward to working with Iraq, Kuwait and all other interested parties to identify a route forward.

In this regard, we are committed to undertaking close engagement with Council Members, stakeholders and the Secretariat regarding an appropriate post-UNAMI follow-on mechanism in the coming weeks.

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New York, 10 June 2025
[As Delivered]

Madame President,

Distinguished representatives of Council members,

Allow me to begin by expressing my joy to seeing (a dear friend and colleague) preside over the work of the Council. Let me express my profound appreciation to members of this esteemed Council for their attention, support, and guidance. I am so delighted to seeing the distinguished representatives of Iraq and Kuwait participate in today’s session. A word of gratitude must be given to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for his continued engagement in the Middle East, including his recent visit to Baghdad for the Arab Summit.

Madame President,

Distinguished Representatives,

Between my last report, six months ago, and now so many things have happened in Iraq which I will not list here, however, with your permission, I would like to mention the most notable developments at the forefront of which is Iraq’s drive towards more stability, more prosperity, and closer regional integration.

My profound appreciation goes to the Government of Iraq for the humanitarian aid it has provided to the people of Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria. Not to mention, its support to the new peace initiative between Türkiye and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which, if implemented in good faith, will bring peace, security, and stability to the region at large.

Madame President,

Distinguished Representatives,

Iraq is well on its way to another national parliamentary election, set for 11thof November this year. Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), with UNAMI’s technical support, are making notable progress in preparing for this election. Voter registration is set to conclude in the coming days and nearly three-quarters of total voters have completed biometric registration so far.

Yes, there are challenges, including logistical concerns. But IHEC is committed to doing its best towards a free, fair and…

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A special mission established by the UN in 2003 at the request of the Iraq government has shut down a key office, in another step towards ceasing operations in the country by the end of this year.

The UN Assistance Mission in Iraq closed its offices Mosul this week. Unami, which has its headquarters in Baghdad, was set up after the US-led invasion that toppled the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.

It was given a broad mandate to help develop Iraqi institutions, support political dialogue and elections, and promote human rights. The agency’s heads have shuttled between Iraq’s political, security and judicial officials to help resolve conflicts.

Baghdad requested last year that the mission end by 2025, saying it was no longer needed because Iraq had made significant progress towards stability. “Iraq has managed to take important steps in many fields, especially those that fall under Unami’s mandate,” Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani said in a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

However, the mission will continue to deliver in its remaining mandate, “including providing technical electoral assistance, promoting human rights, supporting humanitarian and development tasks”, an Unami representative told The National.

In the final months of the year, the agency’s work will be “transferred to the UN Country Team operating in Iraq or to the national authorities”, the representative said.

“In short, while Unami is leaving Iraq, the United Nations is not. The United Nations will continue to engage in support of the Government and the people of Iraq.”

Unami closed its office in the northern city of Kirkuk at the end of April. Its remaining offices in Erbil, capital of the Kurdish region, and in the southern city of Basra will be closed along with its headquarters at the end…

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24 May 2025 | Baghdad, Iraq

“Your Excellency, Prime Minster Mohammed Shia Al Sudani

Your Excellency, Dr. Aun Dhyaib Abdullah,

Distinguished Guests, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor to join you today at the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference, a vital platform that brings together national leaders, regional experts, and international partners to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: water security.

Today, we gather under the theme “Water and Technology: Partnership for Development” – a timely and urgent call to action. Iraq continues to face severe water scarcity, driven not only by climate change but also by water management issues, legacy infrastructure, and resource-intensive practices.

The consequences are far-reaching: from reduced agricultural productivity and internal displacement to increased fragility in already vulnerable communities. Water scarcity, quality, and security have become among the most critical challenges facing the country – threatening not only human consumption and economic development but also the ecosystems and the environment.

Yet, amidst these challenges, there is also opportunity.

The Government of Iraq has taken commendable steps – from launching the National Water Dialogue to hosting this yearly conference in addition to the cooperation efforts between the UN and Government of Iraq Water task forces.

Iraq’s accession to the UN Water Convention in 2023 marked a historic milestone, making it the first Arab country to do so. This progressive step signals Iraq’s commitment to regional cooperation and sustainable water governance.

The United Nations stands firmly with Iraq on this vital journey. Through the dedicated efforts of UN agencies together with national partners, we are supporting Iraq in modernizing irrigation and introducing water-saving technologies; rehabilitating marshlands and promoting eco-tourism; developing early warning systems; advancing climate-smart agriculture; and strengthening Iraq’s capacity for transboundary water negotiations.

As we work with the Government to…

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António Guterres was speaking during a wreath-laying ceremony at a memorial in Baghdad to honour the victims of the 19 August 2003 Canal Hotel bombing – the worst terrorist attack in UN history.

Twenty-two people were killed, including the then UN Special Representative for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello.  More than 100 others were injured, and several survivors attended the ceremony.

Families still mourning

Mr. Guterres told the audience that “22 years is a long time, but we will never forget the colleagues who were killed that day in the bombing at the Canal Hotel.”

These staff members “were sons, daughters, mothers, fathers and friends who are, to this day, mourned by those they knew and loved,” he said.

“We will always remember their leader, Sergio Vieira de Mello, who was also killed in the attack. We will stand with the survivors whose lives were changed forever,” he added.

“And we will remember the courageous colleagues and others who rushed to help on that terrible day, and in the days and weeks after — showing us the very best of the humanitarian spirit.”

A tribute and reminder

Mr. Guterres said the memorial stands as a tribute to their lives and their contributions to the people of Iraq.  It also serves as a reminder of how far the country has come since 2003.

He noted that the women and men of the United Nations have worked tirelessly together with the brave and resilient people of Iraq to support their quest for stability, development and peace.

He stressed that above all, the memorial is “a clear reminder of the vital work that our organization does around the world — and the dangers our people face in carrying out that work.”

Remembering humanitarians worldwide

Five years after the attack the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian…

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The Arab League Summit in Baghdad. (Photo: via UNAMI X Page)

By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

Arab League summit urges immediate halt to Israeli attacks, as Spain pushes for UN resolution and Guterres demands humanitarian access.

The 34th Arab League Summit opened in Baghdad on Saturday amid growing regional turmoil and urgent calls to end the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

The summit, held under the theme “Dialogue, Solidarity, and Development”, convenes as the situation in Gaza reaches what Iraq’s Prime Minister described as an “unprecedented stage of genocide,” with continued Israeli bombardment, mass displacement, and a worsening humanitarian catastrophe.

Attending the summit are several Arab heads of state and senior officials, including the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and UN Secretary-General António Guterres were also present, underscoring the international dimension of the crisis.

34th League of Arab States Summit

Speech by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres [Arabic]

Baghdad, Iraq
17 May 2025 pic.twitter.com/tUsDmtiuUc

— UNAMI (@UNIraq) May 17, 2025

Focus on Gaza

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who assumed the rotating presidency of the Arab Summit, used his opening remarks to denounce the Israeli campaign in Gaza, calling for serious and united Arab action to halt the genocide and open humanitarian corridors.

“The war in Gaza has reached a horrifying and unprecedented stage,” al-Sudani said, adding that Arab countries must act collectively to stop the bloodshed and ensure the delivery of aid.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi echoed these concerns, stating that Palestinians are being subjected to systematic efforts aimed at erasing…

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