Security Council
8396th Security Council Meeting: Situation in Iraq
Briefing on Iraqi progress in fighting terrorism, reducing sectarianism and peacefully transferring power, the United Nations top official for the country stressed, in the Security Council today, the critical importance of international support to the new Government for its efforts to deliver basic services as well as to improve security.
“Iraqis will require and count on the continued support of the international community,” said Ján Kubiš, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). “We must not let them down.”
Updating the Council on the latest report of the Secretary-General on the issue (document S/2018/975), Mr. Kubiš said that, while there was some controversy in forming a Government following August elections, he welcomed the “exemplary peaceful transfer of power” in which the political blocs had demonstrated a willingness to act in support of Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, with differences largely political and non-sectarian.
He said that Iraqis deserve acknowledgement for defeating Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh), uniting the country during deteriorating economic conditions, improving relations with neighbours and reducing sectarian rhetoric. He welcomed Government plans to build on those foundations, reporting that it intends to immediately begin creating services and jobs, reforming and energizing the economy and fighting corruption and red-tape.
Also reporting on political developments in the Kurdistan region, demining efforts, women’s empowerment, and the fight against impunity for international crimes in the country, Mr. Kubiš noted the recent discovery of mass graves and welcomed the arrival of the Head of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (UNITAD).
On outstanding issues from the invasion of Kuwait, Mr. Kubiš said that in November numerous items of property were returned and the new Minister of Foreign Affairs assured him of attention to clearing up remaining issues. Finally, noting that this is his last report to the Security Council in his current capacity, he affirmed that “The United Nations in Iraq has shown its relevance and will continue to build on the firm foundations of its ongoing partnership with Iraq and its people”.
Following the briefing, Council members took the floor, with most paying tribute to the work of UNAMI and Mr. Kubiš, and welcoming the formation of the new Government and its reported intentions to improve the daily lives of Iraqis.
Some delegates, beginning with the representative of France, described the country as being at a turning point. In that vein, speakers urged the new Government to work without delay to provide services without sectarian discrimination, and to make necessary reforms in governance, economics and security that prevent the resurgence of ISIL/Da’esh and impunity for past crimes.
Speakers also called on the Government to ensure the full representation of women at all levels of decision-making, and to facilitate the safe, voluntary and dignified return of all internally displaced persons, while advancing reconstruction in all areas of the country.
Some speakers underlined the need to respect Iraqi sovereignty, with the representative of the United States stressing that the Iraqi people must be free to shape their own future without outside interference. In that regard, the representative of the Russian Federation asserted that Iraq has the right to build relations with its Iranian neighbours without any other country undermining them.
Also welcoming the peaceful transfer of power in Iraq, Kuwait’s representative cautioned that the post-election phase could be a sensitive one, urging the international community to support the outcome of the international conference on the country’s reconstruction held recently in Kuwait and to help Iraq end the continuing terrorist threat. Welcoming progress in returning Kuwaiti property, he asked the Iraqi Government to advance its investigation to locate Kuwait’s missing national archives.
Iraq’s representative, taking the floor last, said that “Iraq is at the threshold of a new phase, following our just war against the terrorist gangs of ISIL.” He called for support from donors in the new phase to prevent the resurgence of that group under any form or name.
Thanking Mr. Kubiš and UNAMI for their longstanding support, he reaffirmed the country’s intention to speedily complete the formation of the Government and to make progress on priorities mentioned by all today’s speakers. In its reconstruction process, Iraq will follow the outcome of the recent reconstruction conference in Kuwait, he said, also calling on the country’s partners to fulfil all pledges made there.
Following many speakers today in welcoming the recognition of the struggle of the Yazidi people and women victims of violence through the Nobel Peace Prize given to Nadia Murad Basee Taha, he emphasized that Iraq derives strength from its diversity. All segments of society must work together. In that regard, he objected to references in the Secretary-General’s report to racial discrimination, stating all Iraqis enjoy full and equal rights.
Also speaking today were the representatives of the Côte d’Ivoire, Kazakhstan, Peru, Netherlands, Poland, Bolivia, Equatorial Guinea, United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Sweden and China.
The meeting began at 10:01 a.m. and ended at 12:04 p.m.
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