Iraq PM discusses election readiness, UN partnership as UNAMI mission winds down

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Saturday met with Mohamed Al Hassan, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq, to discuss cooperation between Iraq and United Nations programs, according to a statement from the prime minister’s media office.

The meeting addressed preparations for Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections and the role of executive institutions in supporting the process.

Iraq is set to hold elections on November 11. Meanwhile, the Independent High Electoral Commission announced Thursday that special voting for security and military personnel will begin at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9, while the electoral silence period will take effect at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Al-Sudani, who also leads Reconstruction and Development Coalition, emphasized support for the IHEC, saying the government is determined “to ensure the success of the elections and to provide full support to the Commission so that the results genuinely reflect the will of the Iraqi people.”

Al-Sudani reiterated the government’s commitment to working with the United Nations, stating that “as the work of the UNAMI mission in Iraq draws to a close, Iraq remains committed to continued cooperation through UN-supported development and economic programs.”

UNAMI, established in 2003 under UN Security Council Resolution 1500 at Iraq’s request, is mandated to support inclusive political dialogue, reconciliation, electoral processes, and human rights protections.

In May 2024, Prime Minister Al-Sudani formally requested that UN Secretary-General Guterres conclude the UNAMI mission by December 2025, citing Iraq’s substantial progress toward stability as a reason for ending the mission.

The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2732 on May 31, 2024, which extends the mandate of UNAMI for a final 19-month period. UNAMI is set to cease its operations on December 31, 2025, except for any remaining liquidation activities.