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STORY: UN / IRAQ
TRT: 04:00
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / ARABIC / NATS
DATELINE: 02 DECEMBER 2025, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE – NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, New York City aerial view
02 DECEMBER 2025, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mohamed Al Hassan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI):
“The road to peace, security and stability was long and difficult. However, with the support of the international community Iraq came out victorious, but with untold sacrifices.”
4. Wide shot, Security Council
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Mohamed Al Hassan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI):
“It is fitting that, today, we honor the memory of all those who lost their lives since UNAMI first began operating in Iraq. This includes the 22 United Nations personnel who paid the ultimate price in the Canal Hotel bombing of 2003.”
6. Wide shot, Security Council
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Mohamed Al Hassan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI):
“Iraq showed commendable leadership in launching a concerted effort early this year to accelerate the repatriation of its nationals from northeast Syria. To date, approximately 20,800 people have returned to Iraq - no small feat, by any measure. As returns continue, last one taking place just yesterday, it remains essential for adequate resources to be directed toward ensuring dignified and sustainable reintegration, including reliable access to basic services, livelihoods, and community-level support.”
8. Wide shot, Security Council
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Mohamed Al Hassan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI):
“As I congratulate Iraq on its election as a member of the Human Rights Council, I would like to note that this membership comes with a corresponding responsibility to uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights. Many challenges remain in this respect, notably for ensuring full protection and fulfillment of the rights of minorities, women and youth, and continuing to uphold freedom of expression as a cornerstone of open public dialogue in a strong democratic society. This also includes respect of the rights of girls and refraining from underage marriages.”
10. Wide shot, Security Council
11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Abbas Kadhom Obaid, Chargé d’affaires ad interim to the United Nations, Iraq:
“Iraq demonstrated unwavering diplomatic engagement and cooperation with UNAMI throughout its mandate, and fulfilled its international obligations, in particular, the resolution of all outstanding issues with the state of Kuwait as provided in the relevant Security Council resolutions. And by honoring these commitments and building trust with the international community Iraq was able to end all the measures imposed under Chapter 7 of the Charter. In this regard, and despite Iraq's position that has been previously expressed in the UN Security Council Resolution 2972, we remain committed to cooperate with the High-Level Coordinator on the issue of missing persons and the Kuwaiti archives, as a purely humanitarian matter.”
12. Wide shot, end of Security Council
December marks the conclusion of the UN Assistance Mission’s for Iraq mandate, following more than two decades of support to the country through transition and shifting regional dynamics. Addressing the Security Council, the UN’s top envoy in the country said Iraq’s progress was shaped by sustained international support and years of costly effort.
Mohamed Al Hassan, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) highlighted major developments in Iraq’s repatriation efforts, praising Baghdad for showing “commendable leadership” in accelerating the return of its nationals from northeast Syria.
He said, “To date, approximately 20,800 people have returned to Iraq – no small feat, by any measure,” adding that continued resources are essential to ensure “dignified and sustainable reintegration,” from basic services to livelihood support.
He also welcomed Iraq’s election to the Human Rights Council but cautioned that the role carries new obligations. Membership, he said, comes with “responsibility to uphold the highest standards” on human rights, particularly regarding minorities, women, youth, freedom of expression, and “respect of the rights of girls and refraining from underage marriages.”
Iraq’s representative, Chargé d’affaires ad interim Abbas Kadhom Obaid, told the Council that Baghdad had demonstrated “unwavering diplomatic engagement and cooperation with UNAMI throughout its mandate,” meeting its international obligations — especially on outstanding issues with Kuwait. He said that by honoring these commitments, Iraq succeeded in ending all measures imposed under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
Despite Iraq’s previously stated position on Security Council Resolution 2972, Obaid stressed that Baghdad “remains committed to cooperate with the High-Level Coordinator on the issue of missing persons and the Kuwaiti archives, as a purely humanitarian matter.”
