Note: A complete summary of today's Security Council meeting will be made available after its conclusion.
Briefings
JEANINE HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), pointed out that Iraq's challenges did not arise overnight. Dealing with both the legacy of the past and the many challenges of the present will take time. Three months ago, the Council of Representatives confirmed Iraq's new President and Government - ending more than a year of tensions, political discord and power play. However, since 2003, too many opportunities to conduct meaningful reform have been wasted, she observed, citing pervasive corruption as a major root cause of Iraqi dysfunctionality. In its first three months in office, Iraq's new Government showed its commitment to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the country, including endemic corruption, poor public service delivery and high levels of unemployment. On the fight against corruption, the Government has tackled the recovery of stolen funds and the investigation of corruption allegations.
Encouraging the Iraqi Government to persevere - "as those who stand to lose will undoubtedly seek to hinder these efforts" - she stressed that ensuring accountability across the spectrum is absolutely essential to build a system that serves the need of society instead of serving a closed community of collusion. This means giving no respite to those who extract State resources for private or other interests. Moreover, systemic change will prove vital; effecting meaningful change can only happen through systemic socioeconomic reform, stronger institutions and better governance at all levels. In that regard, delays in long-awaited economic, fiscal and financial reform are palpable throughout the country, she said, voicing concern over the increase in the exchange rate on the parallel market.
Addressing high levels of unemployment, she underscored that Iraq can simply not afford to add to the burden of an already extremely inflated public sector. Oil dependency leaves the Iraqi economy more vulnerable to external shocks, she observed, urging the Government to prioritize sustainable economic diversification, including the development of a value-adding, employment-generating private sector. She pointed to other areas that require immediate attention, including the significant environmental challenges; the importance of energy independence; the continued returns of Iraqi nationals from Al-Hol and other camps and prisons in north-eastern Syria; the need to swiftly implement the Sinjar Agreement; and the protection and promotion of human rights.
On Iraq's external relations, she reported that the Iraqi Government continued its policy of openness and balance, based on respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, Iraq continues to face repeated and destabilising violations of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. "Messaging by strikes does nothing but recklessly heighten tensions, kill people and destroy property," she warned. Moreover, Iraq remains one of the most explosive ordnance-contaminated countries in the world. While nationally led clearance efforts - including national budget allocations - are truly commendable, the sector as a whole remains underfunded. Consequently, Iraqi civilians pay the price, she said, noting that in 2022, explosive remnants of war continued to be the leading cause of child casualties in Iraq and caused overall one third of civilian casualties.
Turning to the issue of missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and missing Kuwaiti property, she commended the steps taken by the Government to encourage more witnesses to come forward. She also welcomed the continuous cooperation of the Members of the Tripartite Commission on the provision of satellite imagery. Both are vital to efforts for the identification of other potential burial sites. She stressed the urgency "to finally lift the country out of recurring cycles of instability and fragility".
There is both a sense of hope, and a sense of urgency, she stated, noting that the hope is that the confirmation of Iraq's new Government will provide an opportunity to structurally address the many pressing issues facing the country and its people. The urgency is for Iraq's political class to seize this brief window of opportunity and finally lift the country out of recurring cycles of instability and fragility. She also congratulated the country's national football team for its recent Gulf Cup victory. After decades of violence, strife, tensions and isolation, Iraq hosted the tournament for the first time since 1979. It is a great testimony to Iraq's return to normality and its potential to rally not only the nation but also regional partners around a common and positive objective, she said.
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