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December 3, 2025 Human rights

For the first time in the country's history, Syrians are preparing to publicly celebrate next week Human Rights Day – a small but significant step that the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) says marks a “new chapter” in its engagement with the authorities and gives hope to millions of people waiting for change.

In an interview with the UN News Service, OHCHR representative Mohammad Al-Nsour reported that the situation in the country is improving a year after the fall of the Assad regime. "Every time we come to Damascus, we see changes," he said.

For many years, the Office was not allowed to operate inside Syria, but the OHCHR team is now permanently based in Damascus. Previously, Al-Nsour monitored the human rights situation remotely from Beirut.

Signs of progress

Syria still faces many challenges, including rebuilding the war-torn country and holding those responsible for crimes committed both under the former regime and since its fall to justice.

Al-Nsour noted that the security problem also remains extremely serious, recalling in particular the massacres in coastal areas of Syria earlier this year, including cases committed by security forces.

Nevertheless, overall, he said, the situation is developing “very constructively and positively.”

"There is political will and a desire on the part of the government to improve the situation," he said. The government is receiving technical assistance from UN representatives aimed at reforming legislation, strengthening human rights principles in law enforcement, and improving the effectiveness of public administration.

These steps, he noted, demonstrate a commitment to a future based on respect for human rights.

He stressed that one of the key advantages of having an OHCHR office inside the country is that its staff act “as consultants to the authorities.”

"Our goal is not to shame or blame any government, but to prevent violations," Al-Nsour said.

Human Rights Day

Preparations are in full swing for the first-ever Human Rights Day commemoration on December 10. The event, which coincides closely with the anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime on December 8, is jointly organized by the OHCHR and the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Al-Nsour noted that the celebration would mark a "new chapter in relations with the Syrian government," and that discussions would focus on "how to advance the human rights agenda in the new Syria."

Accountability and fairness

For many Syrians, accountability remains a key demand. Following the coastal incidents in March, the authorities established a National Investigative Committee, which received significant technical support from the OHCHR. Some perpetrators have already been brought to justice.

Al-Nsour noted that the government also agreed to extend the mandate of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria, allowing for the continuation of independent international investigations not only into violations committed under the Assad regime but also after its fall.

Voices of Women and Youth

The OHCHR also supports women's civil society organizations and promotes women's greater political participation. According to Al-Nsour, the authorities are open to this approach.

The UN representative emphasized that the main source of hope for Syria is the Syrians themselves.

"Syria's remarkable trait is the resilience of its people," he said. "The remarkable, educated young generation, ready to participate in building a new Syria in the most positive way, inspires hope," the OHCHR representative added.

Across the country, young people are launching their own initiatives, from cleaning public parks to supporting local services.

“They have seen what has happened in other countries – in post-conflict situations in the region and beyond – and they are doing everything they can to move in the right direction,” Al-Nsour said.

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December 3, 2025 Healthcare

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated annually on December 3, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe released a report highlighting proven effective practices in promoting inclusive healthcare. The report provides examples of how countries in Europe and Central Asia are working to reduce the health gaps faced by more than 135 million people with disabilities.

The report presents a variety of approaches to addressing this issue, ranging from national legislative reforms to local service innovations. These examples demonstrate how healthcare systems can integrate inclusion principles into everyday practices and public health programs.

Despite progress, people with disabilities continue to face significant yet entirely avoidable inequalities, including a 20-year reduction in life expectancy compared to people without disabilities. The report states that governments, healthcare providers, and disability organizations are joining forces to change this.

"All of these examples share a common message: inclusive healthcare cannot be viewed as a stand-alone project," noted Shirin Kiyani, Technical Officer at the WHO Regional Office for Europe. "When countries adopt a systemic approach, supported by sustainable funding and clear governance structures in partnership with organizations of people with disabilities, changes become systemic and long-lasting."

The report includes examples from across the region: sign language interpretation services in Azerbaijan that enable meaningful communication between deaf people and healthcare workers; specialized early breast cancer detection programs for women with intellectual disabilities in Ireland; inclusive sports and fitness initiatives in Turkmenistan that promote health and social inclusion; and an emergency preparedness system in Iceland that takes into account the needs of people with disabilities.

All these practices are consistent with the strategic principles of the WHO European Framework for Action to Achieve the Highest Possible Standard of Health for Persons with Disabilities, endorsed by 53 Member States in the region. It is based on human rights, coordination with organizations of people with disabilities, and the integration of efforts across health, social protection, education, and public services.

The report concludes by emphasizing that simply raising awareness of existing problems is not enough. Infrastructure improvements will not yield sustainable results without reliable data systems and improved accessibility standards. Investments in structural reforms—such as training specialists and developing care pathways—can ensure long-term systemic change.

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December 3, 2025 Peace and security

Opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar has reached its highest level in a decade, according to a new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The study comes at a critical time for the country, which is experiencing protracted conflict and socioeconomic instability.

According to the report, the area under poppy cultivation in Myanmar has increased by 17 percent compared to last year, from 45,200 to 53,100 hectares. Economic factors play a key role. Since 2019, the price of opium at farmers' markets has more than doubled, from $160 to $365 per kilogram. According to the UNODC, rising prices and reduced heroin supplies from Afghanistan are creating incentives for further expansion of production in Myanmar.

Despite the increase in cultivated area, per-hectare yields have declined. This is due to armed clashes and general instability, which hinder farmers from tending their fields and obtaining necessary inputs. Nevertheless, overall opium production remains historically high.

The report also documents the first signs that heroin from Myanmar is beginning to reach markets previously supplied with Afghan opium. Over the past year, there have been multiple cases of heroin seizures from passengers traveling from Southeast Asia to Europe. While these are isolated incidents so far, the changing situation on the black market could spur further expansion of production.

"Myanmar is at a turning point: the increase in cultivation reflects the recovery of the opium economy and points to possible further expansion," said Delphine Shantz, UNOPS representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

She emphasized that unless viable alternatives are created for farmers, the cycle of poverty and dependence on illicit cultivation will only intensify. According to her, what is happening now in Myanmar will impact drug markets not only in the region but far beyond, and requires urgent action.

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December 3, 2025 Humanitarian aid

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today called on the global community to mobilize $2.5 billion to support more than 100 million people in 54 countries and territories by 2026. For the first time, the UN agency's plan brings together all needs into a single framework.

In particular, the FAO requested $64.7 million to help 358,713 residents of Ukraine.

The agency hopes not only to respond to acute crises, but also to reduce the likelihood of future emergencies requiring significant donor investment.

New humanitarian model

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu noted that the previous model of work is no longer effective. Speaking on the sidelines of the 179th session of the FAO Council, he emphasized the need to rethink approaches to response to food crises.

According to the agency's head, despite significant humanitarian funding in previous years, the number of people experiencing food insecurity has tripled since 2016.

Dongyu noted the message coming from youth in crisis zones at the recent World Food Forum: they want increased opportunities to be productive, not constant humanitarian aid.

Hunger in the countryside

At the same time, supporting farmers and their ability to continue producing food is a key element of stability.

Around 80 percent of people facing acute food insecurity live in rural areas and rely on agriculture, livestock farming, fishing, or forestry. However, only 5 percent of humanitarian funding in the food aid sector is directed toward supporting agriculture.

Strengthening local production improves local residents' access to food, develops the local economy, creates jobs and strengthens social stability – especially in countries experiencing protracted crises, such as Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Effective programs

FAO stresses the importance of early action and rapid emergency support for agriculture.

Effective solutions include seed distribution, livestock vaccination and treatment, restoration of key infrastructure, provision of farmers with necessary tools, cash assistance, and support for market operations.

Research shows that every dollar invested in protecting agricultural production before a crisis can yield up to seven dollars in returns in prevented losses and reduced humanitarian needs in the future.

FAO plan

FAO's 2026 Global Appeal calls for $1.5 billion in emergency support for 60 million people worldwide, and $1 billion in resilience programs for 43 million people. Sustainable solutions include the adoption of technology for adaptation to climate change, building water infrastructure, improving market access and restoring agri-food systems.

Specifically, it is planned to support 358,713 residents of Ukraine, requiring $64.7 million. $521.6 million will be allocated to countries in the Asia-Pacific region, $519.1 million to the Middle East and North Africa, $471.6 million to East Africa, $593.4 million to West and Central Africa, $179.6 million to Southern Africa, and $111.9 million to Latin America and the Caribbean.

In addition, $70 million will go towards FAO activities such as data collection and analysis, monitoring food chain threats, and coordination with other agencies.

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December 3, 2025 Human rights

Today, 1.3 billion people, or one in six people on Earth, face significant health-related limitations. People with disabilities face twice the risk of developing chronic diseases, from diabetes to depression. And the gap in life expectancy compared to people without disabilities can be as high as 20 years.

These figures reflect not only health conditions, but also the consequences of systemic exclusion, discrimination and limited access to services.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his message on the occasion International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is celebrated on December 3, emphasized that without real inclusion it is impossible to talk about genuine social progress or sustainable development.

Full participation

The Secretary-General recalled that many people with disabilities make contributions that benefit society as a whole. Thanks to their efforts, the world gains innovations that then become part of everyday life. This is how voice control technologies, text messaging, and many other solutions emerged.

Yet, despite this, people with disabilities are too often denied the right to participate in decision-making.

Systemic barriers

“Doha Political Declaration“The Declaration adopted last month at the World Summit for Social Development reaffirms a fundamental truth: sustainable development is impossible without the participation of people with disabilities,” the UN chief noted.

However, around the world, people with disabilities and their families face significant barriers, including discrimination in the labour market, limited access to information, technology and infrastructure, and inadequate education and social protection systems.

Without removing these barriers, social development will remain incomplete.

On December 3, a discussion will be held at UN Headquarters on how to build truly inclusive societies in line with the Doha Declaration. Representatives from governments, civil society, and the UN will discuss practical tools, solutions, and factors necessary for advancing social development.

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December 2, 2025 Healthcare

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first-ever guidelines for the use of a new class of weight-loss medications. The document also recognizes obesity as a chronic disease. This decision could impact national policies, insurance coverage, and clinical guidelines, especially as demand for effective weight-loss treatments rapidly grows.

The guidelines cover glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists—drugs such as liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide—and provide recommendations for their safe use as part of combination therapy. However, the recommendations remain conditional due to limited long-term safety data, uncertainty regarding weight maintenance after treatment discontinuation, high cost, and risks of inequalities in access across countries.

Obesity is a chronic disease

According to WHO, more than one billion people worldwide suffer from obesity. In 2024, it was a factor in 3.7 million deaths. Without decisive action, the number of people with obesity could double by 2030, placing a colossal burden on healthcare systems and leading to global economic losses of up to $3 trillion per year.

Obesity –a serious global challenge" , said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "The new guidelines recognize obesity as a chronic disease that requires a comprehensive, lifelong approach. Medication alone won't solve the crisis, but GLP-1 therapy can help millions of people."

The WHO emphasizes that obesity is not simply a consequence of individual lifestyle choices. It is a complex, chronic condition influenced by genetic factors, biological processes, environment, and social conditions.

Consequences of excess weight

Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and several types of cancer, and also exacerbates the progression of many infectious diseases. For most people, losing weight and maintaining it without medical support is extremely difficult.

GLP-1 medications mimic the action of a natural hormone involved in regulating appetite, blood sugar levels, and digestion. In obese individuals, these medications can lead to significant weight loss and improved health.

WHO has included these drugs in the 2025 List of Essential Medicines for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups, and new guidelines allow their long-term use in obese adults, with the exception of pregnancy.

An integrated approach

The WHO emphasizes that drug therapy alone cannot be the only answer to the problem of obesity. The most effective approach involves combining medication with a healthier diet, regular physical activity, and long-term monitoring and support from specialists.

The organization reiterates that the obesity epidemic cannot be addressed by patients alone; systemic measures from governments and industry are needed.

Access, security and counterfeit risk

Demand for GLP-1 drugs already significantly exceeds supply. Even with increased production, the WHO estimates that by 2030, less than 10 percent of those prescribed these medications will have access.

Without sound public policy, existing inequalities in healthcare could worsen. The WHO recommends that countries utilize pooled purchasing, fair pricing, and voluntary licensing mechanisms.

WHO also warns of growing trafficking counterfeit and low-quality GLP-1 drugsas a result of global shortages. The organization calls for strict supply chain regulation, thoughtful prescribing, and enhanced quality control.

The guidelines were developed at the request of WHO Member States and are based on scientific evidence, expert opinions, and consultations with people living with obesity. The UN agency plans to update the recommendations as new data becomes available and, by 2026, work with partners to ensure access to GLP-1 therapy for those who need it most.

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December 2, 2025 Refugees and migrants

Violent attacks on villages and the rapid spread of violence into previously safe areas have forced nearly 100,000 Mozambicans to flee their homes in the past two weeks alone.

Speaking from the conflict-torn Erati region in the north of the country, UNHCR spokesman Xavier Creasch said tens of thousands of displaced people were living in makeshift shelters and overcrowded school classrooms.

"Coordinated attacks [by ISIS-affiliated militants] in several areas at once are creating enormous challenges for humanitarian workers, who are having to repeatedly increase emergency aid deliveries in different parts of the country," he said. "Unfortunately, we lack resources."

Violence that erupted in 2017 in the country's northernmost province of Cabo Delgado forced more than 1.3 million people to flee their homes. This year, it has spread beyond the province's borders, threatening communities that previously hosted displaced families, according to UNHCR.

People who have reached safety say they fled in fear after armed groups stormed their villages at night, burning homes, attacking civilians and forcing families to leave without belongings or documents.

"Many civilians were killed, some were beheaded," Kreasch said. "People were forced to flee at night in complete chaos."

The fourth wave of mass migrations

This is the fourth major wave of displacement that northern Mozambique has experienced in recent months.

"The current response is insufficient," emphasized Xavier Creasch. "People urgently need help. They need food, shelter, water, and psychological support."

UNHCR estimates that $38.2 million will be required to meet growing needs in northern Mozambique in 2026. However, funding for 2025 is only 50 percent of the required amount.

Kreash said that on Tuesday morning, UNHCR staff witnessed a partial return of people to extremely insecure areas – not to resume normal life, but because of the lack of assistance and overcrowded shelters: “They felt that they too had no choice but to return.”

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December 2, 2025 Peace and security

Ukraine has entered its fourth winter of full-scale war – and this winter, warns Matthias Schmale, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, could be even harder than previous ones. In an interview with the UN News Service, he discussed growing fatigue, the devastated energy infrastructure, the plight of the most vulnerable groups, and why, despite the perceived repetition, UN statements regarding the attacks on Ukraine remain so important.

According to Matthias Schmale, Ukrainians are trying to live a normal life under daily shelling: just recently, in Dnipro, he recalls, four civilians were killed and dozens were injured. At the same time, the energy system—generators and distribution networks—is under attack. With the onset of cold weather, the main concern of humanitarian workers is people who may be left without utilities in multi-story buildings this winter.

"If the energy sector continues to collapse and the winter is very cold, our worst nightmare is thousands of people stuck in cities, in high-rise buildings, without electricity, heat, or water," says Shmale.

Fatigue and psychological exhaustion

This winter differs from the previous one not only in the scale of the destruction but also in the cumulative effects of four years of war. The UN coordinator emphasizes that there is visible damage—destroyed homes, schools, hospitals, the dead and wounded. But there is also an invisible layer—psychological exhaustion.

"I really feel as I travel around the country that people are getting tired, increasingly exhausted. They're increasingly questioning whether they even have a positive future," he notes.

Last year, Shmale adds, the damaged power system was restored fairly quickly, and the winter was milder than expected. Now, however, the damage is much greater, and the winter forecast is harsher.

United Nations News Service

Humanitarian agencies are focusing their attention on three categories of vulnerable people. The first are low-income urban residents living in old or dilapidated high-rise buildings. The second are those remaining close to the front line: according to UN estimates, at least half a million people, mostly elderly and those with limited mobility, remain within a zone of zero to 20 kilometers from the contact line. The third category are internally displaced persons (IDPs), who have been living in a protracted crisis for four years, often without a stable income or housing.

Why do people stay?

Evacuations from frontline areas continue in waves. Shmale says he recently returned from the Donetsk region, where, according to the local governor, fewer than 200,000 people remain in the government-controlled part of the region—and at least half of them will likely leave with the onset of the harsh winter. But the other half, paradoxically, will remain.

The reasons why people stay vary. For some, it's a profound attachment to the land and home—they and their ancestors were born there. Others simply haven't found acceptable temporary housing options in relatively safe areas: "Some say, 'I'm better off in my own home, even if it's more dangerous, but at least I don't have to pay rent.'" There are also those who stoically insist that "we'll survive another year," while others remain out of protest and in memory of those who perished: they feel they cannot leave a land for which they have already paid such a high price.

© UKGV

Help continues to arrive

The work of humanitarian workers in winter is complicated by weather conditions and the constantly shifting front line. Roads become slippery and dangerous, and the advance of Russian forces makes access to a number of settlements impossible. The World Food Programme, Shmale notes, has already lost access to at least 50,000 people it had previously been able to help.

The UN winter plan provides assistance to approximately 1.7 million people, primarily those living in frontline and rural areas. They are provided with cash assistance for fuel and electricity, warm clothing, and other items to help them survive the cold season. The plan requested $278 million, and it is approximately 65 percent funded.

"We've been able to accomplish a lot, but we lack funds. There are still people waiting for support—cash, fuel for stoves," says the UN coordinator, thanking international donors for the funds they've allocated and asking them to continue to help Ukraine.

If the missing resources do not arrive, the de facto “Plan B” for people will be a new wave of displacement – within the country or abroad.

The state continues to perform its functions

At the same time, Shmale emphasizes that Ukraine is not a "failed" state, but a fully functioning one, which continues to provide basic services even amidst war. "I was amazed that, despite the destruction, medical facilities located quite close to the front line are functioning, as are markets, shops, and rural medics," he says. The UN's role is to support the state and local authorities where their capacity is lacking.

© WFP/S. Mahmud

The courage of Ukrainians

Speaking of personal experiences, the UN Resident Coordinator recalls stories that particularly struck him during his travels across the country. In Kharkiv, he spent half a day underground in a shelter, talking with students, while nearby rockets struck a kindergarten three times. Later, at the site of the attack, he met a humanitarian worker who had taken the children to the kindergarten that morning, then picked them up after the shelling—and three hours later returned to help clear the rubble. In Kherson, where, according to the local governor, there hasn't been a single day without shelling in 2025, above ground are empty streets and ruined buildings, while below ground lies a modern maternity ward built with EU support: "Above is war, below is the birth of new life."

In Mykolaiv, an elderly man proudly showed off his renovated house and garden after the de-occupation, but he couldn't hold back his tears as he remembered his brother, who died in 2022. "Joy and sorrow are side by side," the UN News Service source added.

The role of the UN

A separate topic is the UN's role in monitoring and documenting violations of international law. Schmale recalls that the Organization's leadership, including the Secretary-General, has clearly and repeatedly stated that this war violates the UN Charter and the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The UN, he says, can be proud of "standing on the right side of history" and of continuing to "stay and help"—approximately 3,000 UN staff and over 400 partner NGOs, most of which are Ukrainian, work in the country.

At the end of the interview, Matthias Schmale answered a question from the News Service about UN statements following the latest attacks: calls to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians are repeatedly heard.

Shmale is convinced that for Ukrainians, these words are far from a formality. "I take it as an important signal that we are being monitored," he says. "When I don't make a statement after a major strike, they ask me directly: 'Why didn't you say anything?'" For Ukrainians, he emphasizes, it's important that the UN not only delivers aid but also "records what's happening, becomes a witness."

This role is reinforced by a team of approximately 70 human rights monitors. Their job is to document potential violations and crimes to ensure future accountability. "We are valued not only for our practical assistance—the support we've spoken about—but also for making our voices heard and helping document events. This is important," says the Coordinator.

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December 2, 2025 Peace and security

Decades after the adoption of the resolution calling for a two-state solution, the Palestinian people remain deprived of their rights, primarily the right to self-determination. This was stated by UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock at a meeting on the Palestinian question.

She emphasized that this issue has been discussed for 78 years, almost as long as the UN itself has existed, but Palestine has never become a full member of the Organization.

According to Baerbock, it is time to take decisive action to end this situation.

Speaking about recent events, the General Assembly President noted that the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, marked the beginning of "one of the darkest chapters" of this protracted conflict. She recalled that the two-year war in Gaza has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of civilians.

Baerbock drew attention to the humanitarian dimension of the crisis and the dire situation in Gaza: food shortages, destroyed infrastructure, and families unable to return to their homes. She also recalled the former Israeli hostages suffering the psychological effects of captivity.

“And while the horrors unfolding in Gaza have dominated the news for two years, settlement expansion, demolitions and rising settler violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, continue to undermine the prospects for a sovereign, independent, contiguous and viable Palestinian state,” the General Assembly President added.

Baerbock emphasized that the violence is accompanied by daily humiliations faced by West Bank residents, including children on their way to school and pregnant women trying to reach hospitals: they are stopped at checkpoints or by roadblocks. These restrictions, she said, create a reality incompatible with a peaceful future.

“The Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be resolved through illegal occupation, de jure or de facto annexation, forced displacement, persistent terror or permanent war,” the General Assembly President said.

She emphasized that lasting peace is only possible with the existence of two states – Israel and Palestine – with mutually recognized borders and full integration into the region. In this context, Baerbock mentioned UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which enshrines a comprehensive roadmap for resolving the conflict.

She called for the "consolidation" of the ceasefire and said that humanitarian work, including the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), must continue uninterrupted to meet international obligations.

“This is not just a gesture of goodwill, but a legal obligation,” Baerbock emphasized.

Turning to the draft resolution currently before the General Assembly, Baerbock noted that the document reaffirms the key parameters of a peaceful settlement: the unity of Gaza and the West Bank, the inadmissibility of occupation, siege, forced displacement, and territorial reduction.

“The right to live in one’s own state in conditions of peace, security and dignity is not a privilege to be earned, but a right to be defended,” she recalled.

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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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