Iraq: UN Transitions From Mission-Led Role to Development Support- Press Conference | United Nations

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq, Ghulam Isaczai, told journalists in New York that “the UN is not leaving Iraq,” and said its presence in in the country “is shifting from a more mission-led and also political orientation to more development focus.” As the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI’s) concludes its work in the country, Isaczai noted that 25 UN agencies operate “to support Iraq’s development needs.” He pointed out that Iraq recently signed a UN cooperation framework for the next five years, focusing “on four key pillars of economic reform, social protection and service delivery, environment and climate change, and also governance, human rights, and rule of law.” Isaczai said, “Iraq has really done well in the last two years to maintain a balanced policy in terms of its relationship, both in the region but also with the West. And I think a lot of credit goes again to Iraq to not entangle itself in the regional tension. And I think they've done a good job.” UNAMI, he said, “did what it could to help Iraq where it is,” adding that “the responsibility is now shifting to the government, in most cases, and also to the UN when it comes to residual humanitarian needs and development.” The Resident Coordinator said, “we just have to prioritise now our engagement based on the government's national priorities.” Asked about the situation of the Yazidis displaced from northern Iraq, he said “we continue to advocate for the return of all IDPs,” adding that the government “needs to do more to facilitate the voluntary return.” Isaczai expressed hope that “as Iraq is forming a new government, the new government will take this issue seriously.” The UN, he said, “will continue to advocate for their return to their places of origin or solutions that will be more dignified and get them out of the current difficult situation they're in.”


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