Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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December 2, 2025 UN
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) will conclude its work on December 31 of this year after 22 years of operation. At a Security Council meeting on Tuesday, Mission Head Mohamed Al-Hassan emphasized that this is a "worthy conclusion" to the UN mandate.
UNAMI was established in 2003, at a time when Iraq was reeling from decades of dictatorship, regional wars, internal conflicts, occupation and terrorist activities of ISIS (Daesh)".
"The path to peace, security, and stability was long and difficult. However, with the support of the international community, Iraq was able to emerge victorious—but at the cost of unimaginable sacrifice," Al-Hassan noted, honoring the memory of all those who perished, including UN staff.
Humanitarian challenges persist
The head of UNAMI noted the successes of the democratic process in the country and called for an uninterrupted process of forming both a new federal government and a regional government in Kurdistan, negotiations on which have been ongoing for over a year.
He also noted that, despite the overall stabilization, approximately 1 million Iraqis remain displaced within the country. Among them, over 100,000 people—mostly Yazidis—from Sinjar have been living in camps for 11 years. Moreover, the rate of return home is estimated to have slowed significantly this year.
Furthermore, Iraq continues to repatriate its citizens from camps in northeastern Syria. According to the latest data, approximately 20,800 people have returned.
Al-Hassan stated the need for comprehensive and sustainable support for displaced persons, including access to housing, employment, social protection, and programs in local communities.
Iraq is a member of the UN Human Rights Council
The head of the mission congratulated Iraq on its election to the UN Human Rights Council, but noted that this work also comes with additional responsibilities.
The issues at stake include the protection of the rights of minorities, women and youth, freedom of expression and the prevention of child marriage.
Relations between Iraq and Kuwait
In accordance with the decision of the Security Council, UNAMI transfers the mandate related to missing Kuwaiti and third-country citizens and missing Kuwaiti property, including the national archives, to a new senior representative. More than 300 people remain missing.
Al-Hassan also called on both countries to continue dialogue on delimiting the maritime border.
"I see no reason why Iraq and Kuwait cannot maintain the best relations," he said.
The UN will remain in Iraq
The end of UNAMI's mandate "is not the end of the partnership," the UN representative emphasized. From 2026, the UN country team will continue its work, supporting Iraq on sustainable development, human rights, climate change, women and youth, and displacement.
"I want to reiterate my complete confidence in the resilience of the Iraqi people and the determination of their leaders to overcome any challenges that may arise, as they have done so admirably over the past twenty years," Al-Hassan said. "I urge them to continue to build bridges of trust and friendship, advance common interests with all neighboring countries, and restore Iraq to its former glory—the cradle of civilization."
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