Al-Sudani meets UN envoy as Iraq prepares for UNAMI transition

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met Tuesday with Mohamed Al Hassan, the United Nations Secretary-General’s special representative for Iraq, to discuss the future of United Nations programs in the country.

According to a statement from the prime minister’s media office, Al-Sudani reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the United Nations, “particularly as the mandate of UNAMI comes to an end.”

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, 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.

The statement added that Al-Sudani also addressed the domestic political situation, noting “the ongoing, constructive dialogue among the national political forces that won the recent elections,” which he said aims to complete “the constitutional entitlements arising from the legislative election results.”

Statement from Al-Sudani’s media office:

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met today, Tuesday, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq, Mr. Mohamed Al-Hassan.

The meeting included a review of the overall framework of cooperation between Iraq and the United Nations, as well as the programs implemented by UN agencies operating in Iraq across various development sectors.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the United Nations, particularly as the mandate of UNAMI comes to an end, emphasizing the importance of continuing joint work within the framework of existing UN programs.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the ongoing, constructive dialogue among the national political forces that won the recent elections, aimed at completing the constitutional entitlements arising from the legislative election results, in a spirit of responsible national engagement and in full respect of the Constitution and the rule of law.