Tag: Unami

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I had the honour, at the outset of assuming my duties as the United Nations Special Representative for the Secretary-General in Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), to meet with His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani. During this visit, which is my first to the holy city of Najaf, I listened to the wisdom of His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani and his vision regarding the situation in Iraq and the region.

You all know the high regard and inestimable respect that His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani enjoys in the hearts of everyone, not only in Iraq, but in the Islamic world and the entire world.

I am extremely grateful to His Eminence for this meeting. I gained much guidance, advice and perspectives, aimed at protecting and elevating the well-being of human beings and preserving their dignity wherever they are.

From my side, I conveyed the greetings of the Secretary-General to His Eminence and his wishes for continued good health, as well as his gratitude to His Eminence for his continued support for the United Nations and its role in assisting Iraq. I agreed with His Eminence to work jointly towards building on Iraq’s regional and international standing as a founding Member of the United Nations and a force for security, stability and good neighborliness in the region.

We, in the United Nations, categorically reject any threat to the Marjaiya, in light of the symbolic significance and respect enjoyed in this country and throughout the world.

I expressed my gratitude for the continued support of His Eminence for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) over the last two decades. His advice is highly appreciated by me as it was by all my predecessors and assisted them in…

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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The conclusion of the United Nations mission in Iraq by the end of 2025 does not mean that its support and presence in Iraq will also end, the mission’s head said on Wednesday, stressing that the UN is entering its “most important” chapter in the country.

“The UN managed to help Iraq achieve a number of expectations, but the end of UNAMI’s mission does not mean the end of UN in Iraq,” United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) chief Mohamed al-Hassan said at the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) Forum in Erbil, adding “Iraq needs the UN.”

The UNAMI mission is set to end on December 31, 2025. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani made the request in May through a letter submitted to the UN Secretary-General and Security Council, stressing bilateral relationships should be “based on bilateral consultation and respect for Iraq’s will and sovereignty.”

Hassan, who is set to be the last UNAMI chief in Iraq, said that the main goal of the mission is “the return of security and stability.”

“Now, a more important chapter will begin, a chapter of implementing the expectations,” Hassan said, affirming that the Iraqi population is capable of solving the country’s “big” problems.

While UNAMI does not directly implement developmental and humanitarian programs, it plays an advisory role in facilitating partnership and technical cooperation between the Iraqi government and the 20 UN agencies, funds, and programs operating in the country.

“Those who created UNAMI can create other entities that are of greater assistance,” Hassan said, reiterating that “the most important part of Iraq with UNAMI is in this year.”

UNAMI was established in August 2003 at the request of Iraq under the Security Council Resolution 1500 to support Baghdad’s developmental efforts. Its mandate was extended annually.

The Iraqi government has cited improved security…

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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ office on Tuesday congratulated the Kurdistan Region for holding parliamentary elections, encouraging an inclusive government to be formed “as soon as possible.”

“The Secretary-General congratulates the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and its people on the holding of parliamentary elections,” the UNSG’s office said in a statement released by deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.

Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) oversaw the Region’s elections on Sunday, reporting a 72 percent voter turnout with more than two million people casting ballots.

The statement said Guterres “commends the efforts” of the IHEC “supported by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), in the preparations and conduct of these elections.” UNAMI provided technical assistance to the IHEC.

The electoral body announced results from Baghdad on Monday with over 99 percent of polling centers reporting. 

The statement from the UNSG urged the formation of “an inclusive government as soon as possible” and reiterated the UN’s support “to consolidate democratic gains and build a prosperous future for the people of Iraq.”

While parties resolve election disputes with the electoral commision, the statement encouraged “all political leaders and segments of society to continue to maintain a peaceful atmosphere…”

With the election date originally scheduled for October 2022, the repeatedly-delayed elections were postponed four times due to political wrangling between the ruling parties and disagreements between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Baghdad.

The Kurdistan Region’s ruling parties will secure over 60 seats in the upcoming regional parliament, Rudaw has projected.
 
Out of the 100 seats in the upcoming parliament, the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) is expected to secure 39, the highest number of seats, followed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), with 23 seats. 

A total of 1,191 candidates competed for seats in the legislature, downsized from 111 seats following a major Iraqi federal court…

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I am truly honored to be here with you today to commemorate the 24th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. Adopted in 2000, this landmark resolution was the first to acknowledge the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls, as well as their vital role in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and recovery.

Over the past 24 years since its adoption, we have made undeniable strides in advancing women’s rights, inclusion, and the amplification of women voices in peace and political processes. However, it is equally clear that much work still lies ahead. The ongoing events in Gaza and Lebanon starkly remind us that, as an international community, we still have significant work ahead.

This region, more than any other, has borne the brunt of conflict and violence, with women and girls disproportionately affected, enduring the greatest hardships of displacement, conflict, and loss. In Gaza and Lebanon, countless women and girls have lost their lives, while survivors endure repeated displacement under unbearable conditions. They face increased vulnerabilities, struggling not only to survive but also to protect and care for their children amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Despite these immense challenges, we have witnessed the rise of courageous women – women who, despite great personal risks, have taken on critical roles in humanitarian efforts within their communities.

Protecting women, especially during times of conflict, is intrinsically linked to their participation and inclusion in peace and political processes. These two pillars—protection and participation—are interdependent, and neither can succeed without the other. As the UN Secretary-General has underscored, “women’s participation must be the norm, not an afterthought”. Achieving this requires three key elements: strong political will, adequate financial resources, and decisive, sustained action.

Iraq has made significant strides in enhancing women’s roles in peacebuilding, governance, and…

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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Mohamed al-Hassan, new head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), said late Thursday night the Kurdistan Region over the past decades has become a place of “development and progress,” hoping for successful and peaceful parliamentary elections.

“The election campaign concluded this week. Rallies by political parties and candidates were overall peaceful. This is the true spirit of a democratic process. We encourage the nearly 3 million eligible voters in this part of Iraq, namely in Erbil, Sulaimaniyah, Duhok, and Halabja, to go out and vote,” Hassan said in an English video message with Kurdish subtitles.

Early voting for security forces began on Friday morning, and the general vote will take place on Sunday.

“We cannot reiterate enough the importance of exercising this right, for which so many fellow citizens have paid a heavy price to ensure it is safeguarded for generations to come,” he said.

This week, the UNAMI chief toured Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) offices across the Kurdistan Region and met with high-level officials including President Nechirvan Barzani and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani.

“The Kurdistan region today is a different region from what it was decades ago. I was very impressed by the development and the progress that I have witnessed so far,” Hassan said.

There are 1,191 candidates vying for the 100-seat Kurdistan parliament – 823 men and 368 women – including 38 candidates for five minority quota seats. There will be 1,400 polling centers, including locations in the disputed areas and most Iraqi provinces, for eligible voters.

“The election campaign concluded this week,” he added. “Rallies by political parties and candidates were overall peaceful. This is the true spirit of a democratic process.”

While UNAMI does not have an official role in monitoring the election, it has…

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Attachments

Key Takeaways:

• POLITICS: New Head Of UNAMI Arrives In Iraq; Iran’s Foreign Minister Visits Baghdad, Signals Interest In De-Escalation – On October 13, the new head of the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI), Mohammed al-Hassan arrived in Baghdad to assume his position following the departure of Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert. On the same day Hassan met with PM Mohammed al-Sudani for talks that focused on the relationship between Iraq and the UN during the remainder of UNAMI’s time in Iraq, which expires on December 31, 2025. The new UNAMI chief then traveled to the Kurdistan region where he had several meetings with political leaders to discuss preparations for the region’s parliamentary elections, which are scheduled to take place on October 20. On October 13, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi visited Baghdad for talks with Iraqi PM Sudani that focused on efforts to end Israeli attacks on Gaza and Lebanon and prevent the conflict from spreading. Araqchi said the objective of his visit was to carry out consultations about the trajectory of events and enhance coordination between Iraq and Iran. At a joint press conference with Araqchi, Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein emphasized that Baghdad seeks to keep Iraq away from war, adding that war and peace decisions belong to the Iraqi state and the formal branches of government – a reference to the role of Iran-backed militias in attacks on Israel. Hussein also reiterated Baghdad’s objection to the use of its territory for attacks on neighboring countries, noting that Israel’s use of Iraqi airspace to attack Iraq was unacceptable. Meanwhile, the Iranian minister told reporters that his country was ready for war, but at the same time wanted peace and was not in favor of further escalation with Israel. In other developments, on October 12, PM Sudani received a…

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Prosecutors in the Netherlands on Wednesday asked judges to convict a Dutch woman for joining Islamic State in Syria and keeping two Yazidi women as slaves and sentence her to eight years in prison.

Hasna Aarab, 33, faces charges of taking part in slavery as a crime against humanity for enslaving two Yazidi, between 2015 and 2016, while she lived in Raqqa with her small son and her Islamic State fighter husband.

She had told judges earlier in the trial that she moved from the Netherlands to Islamic State-held territory in Syria in 2015 with her young son to try to change her life for the better.

One of her alleged victims, identified only as Z., told the district court in the Hague she viewed Aarab as partly responsible for Islamic State crimes against Yazidis and the enslavement of not only herself but also her two daughters who were kept as domestic slaves in other households.

“I burned inside when I saw her with her son while I did not have my own children around me,” Z. said as a tearful Aarab listened. Yazidi refugees stand behind fences as they wait for the arrival of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Special Envoy Angelina Jolie at a Syrian and Iraqi refugee camp in the southern Turkish town of Midyat in Mardin province, Turkey, June 20, 2015. (credit: UMIT BEKTAS / REUTERS)

Islamic State controlled swathes of Iraq and Syria from 2014-2017, before being defeated in its last bastions in…

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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with new United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) chief Mohamed al-Hassan on Tuesday in Erbil, discussing Baghdad and the Region’s relations, minority groups, and election processes. 
 
“President Nechirvan Barzani congratulated Dr. Al-Hassan on his appointment, wished him success and reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s support for the success of UNAMI’s mission,” read a statement from the Kurdistan Region presidency.
 
Hassan also serves as the special representative for the UN Secretary-General. He assumed his post in Baghdad on Thursday. Hassan “expressed his pleasure to visit the Kurdistan Region,” according to the statement. 
 
The Kurdistan Region will hold parliamentary elections on Sunday with special voting on Friday. While UNAMI does not have an official role in monitoring the election, the mission has conducted regular meetings with officials in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC).  
 
“The two sides also discussed the Kurdistan parliamentary elections, the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad, and the status of the communities, with particular emphasis on the Yezidis,” read the statement.
 
Within that context, Barzani expressed “his gratitude to the United Nations for its support to the Independent High Electoral Commission.”
 
UNAMI shared a post on X of the meeting with Barzani, discussing the UN mission’s technical assistance and advice to conduct a free and smooth process.
 
Hassan also met with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani during his visit to Erbil.
 
The UNAMI mission is set to end on December 31, 2025. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani made the request in May through a letter submitted to the UN Secretary-General and Security Council, stressing bilateral relationships should…

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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Iraqi premier received the new head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Mohamed al-Hassan on Sunday in Baghdad, discussing the UN’s future in the country following the conclusion of the UNAMI mission and regional stability.

“The meeting discussed the nature of the relationship between Iraq and the United Nations, particularly following the issuance of UN Security Council Resolution No. 2732, which ended the mission of UNAMI in Iraq,” read a statement from the office of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.

The UNAMI mission is set to end on December 31, 2025. Sudani made the request in May through a letter submitted to the UN Secretary-General and Security Council, stressing the bilateral relationship should be “based on bilateral consultation and respect for Iraq’s will and sovereignty.”

After meeting with Hassan, the Iraqi statement “expressed appreciation for the efforts made by UNAMI over the past years and emphasized that Iraq’s relationship with all international institutions and organizations will continue.”

UNAMI has not released a statement on the meeting.

Hassan was appointed as the new UNAMI chief and the Secretary-General’s special representative for Iraq in July, succeeding Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert. He arrived in Baghdad to assume his post and responsibilities on Thursday.

UNAMI was established in August 2003 at the request of Iraq under the Security Council Resolution 1500 to support Baghdad’s developmental efforts. Its mandate was extended annually.

The Iraqi government has cited greater security and stability for ending UNAMI’s mission.

During the meeting with Hassan, the Iraqi side affirmed its commitment to stability and regional security, while condemning “Zionist aggression” in Lebanon on the UN Interim Force In Lebanon. 

“[T]his attack demonstrates the Zionist entity’s disregard for international laws and norms, stressing the need for an international response,” read the PM’s statement.

While UNAMI does not directly implement developmental and humanitarian programs, it plays…

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Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesperson of the secretary-general of the United Nations, spoke to Rudaw in an interview on Wednesday in New York about the UN’s role in Iraq’s first census since 1997 and the first official population count including provinces in the Kurdistan Region since 1987. Haq said that the United Nations’ role is entirely “technical” and “it will be the responsibility of the Government of Iraq to use that data in order to create a transparent census.”

A major concern by Kurds with the implementation of the census has to do with it being conducted in areas like Kirkuk which remain disputed under Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution. When asked, Haq responded that “the UN has encouraged the Government of Iraq to reach out to all its communities and be sensitive to all their concerns.”

The mandate for the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) completes at the end of 2025. Haq detailed that “its mandate has been streamlined,” and the census “is not a responsibility of the UNAMI mission.” Haq emphasized that through the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the Iraqi government is being supported technically “to conduct a transparent, a unbiased census.

Below is the transcript for the interview.

Rudaw: Farhan, thank you so much for the opportunity. My first question: How will the United Nations collaborate with Iraq to facilitate the first census since 1997?

Farhan Haq: What the United Nations is trying to do, including through the UN Population Fund – what’s known as UNFPA – is to basically offer contemporary methodologies that will help allow for the best way of disseminating census results, and then using them for the purposes of development data. So, we’re just trying to make sure that this will be, technically, the most up-to-date way of conducting a census.

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