The UN Secretary General is on a visit to Baghdad, Iraq The UN Secretary General spoke at a ceremony marking the end of the work of the United Nations Mission in Iraq UN
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday praised the resilience and determination of the Iraqi people at a ceremony marking the end of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). He called the moment the end of one chapter in relations between Iraq and the United Nations and the beginning of a new one.
Speaking in Baghdad, the Secretary General thanked the government and people of Iraq for the warm welcome, emphasizing the country’s rich historical heritage as the cradle of civilization and home to many cultures, religions and ethnic communities.
According to him, today’s event is centered on the courage, resilience and determination of the Iraqi people. He noted that Iraqis were able to overcome decades of violence, war, terrorism, sectarianism and foreign interference without abandoning the desire to build a peaceful and inclusive society based on the rule of law and democratic institutions. For those who lived through the difficult years of transition, today’s Iraq, he said, has become unrecognizable – a country with a higher level of security and a clear focus on development. “Iraq is a success story” – the head of the final UN Mission in the country
Reflecting on UNAMI’s activities since its creation in 2003, Guterres noted that the mission has had the privilege of being close to the Iraqi people, advising the government and parliament on judicial and legal reforms, supporting civic space for women, youth and minorities and promoting human rights. During the fight against Daesh, the mission helped mobilize international support to protect civilians and assist millions of displaced people, while promoting inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation.
He also highlighted the UN’s contribution to the power-sharing dialogue in Kirkuk, support for the 2020 Sinjar Agreement and efforts to ensure the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons, including the Yazidis – victims of Daesh crimes.
The Secretary-General paid tribute to the UNAMI personnel killed in the 2003 terrorist attack on a UN hotel in Baghdad, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, and recalled that 19 August is observed as World Humanitarian Day assistance.
Looking into the future, he emphasized, does not mean the UN withdrawal from Iraq. The Organization’s agencies, funds and programs will continue to work in the country, supporting development, strengthening governance systems and protecting human rights.
He called the decision to name a street in Baghdad after the UN a symbol of a strong partnership and the beginning of a new stage in relations between Iraq and the United Nations.