New UNAMI chief meets with Kurdistan Region president in Erbil

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with new United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) chief Mohamed al-Hassan on Tuesday in Erbil, discussing Baghdad and the Region’s relations, minority groups, and election processes.

“President Nechirvan Barzani congratulated Dr. Al-Hassan on his appointment, wished him success and reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region's support for the success of UNAMI's mission,” read a statement from the Kurdistan Region presidency.

Hassan also serves as the special representative for the UN Secretary-General. He assumed his post in Baghdad on Thursday. Hassan “expressed his pleasure to visit the Kurdistan Region,” according to the statement.

The Kurdistan Region will hold parliamentary elections on Sunday with special voting on Friday. While UNAMI does not have an official role in monitoring the election, the mission has conducted regular meetings with officials in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC).

“The two sides also discussed the Kurdistan parliamentary elections, the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad, and the status of the communities, with particular emphasis on the Yezidis,” read the statement.

Within that context, Barzani expressed “his gratitude to the United Nations for its support to the Independent High Electoral Commission.”

UNAMI shared a post on X of the meeting with Barzani, discussing the UN mission’s technical assistance and advice to conduct a free and smooth process.

Hassan also met with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani during his visit to Erbil.

The UNAMI mission is set to end on December 31, 2025. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani made the request in May through a letter submitted to the UN Secretary-General and Security Council, stressing bilateral relationships should be “based on bilateral consultation and respect for Iraq's will and sovereignty.”

President Nechirvan Barzani in the meeting with Hassan emphasized that resolving outstanding issues between the regional and federal governments in Erbil and Baghdad “lies in the complete adherence to the constitution.”

With tens of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) still in camps in the Kurdistan Region, humanitarian issues remain important topics for Baghdad and Erbil.

“The President also underscored the importance of fostering peace and stability throughout Iraq, while also highlighting the need to enhance the conditions for the Yezidi community and to support the safe return of the displaced people to their original homes,” the statement from the presidency added.

While UNAMI does not directly implement developmental and humanitarian programs, it plays an advisory role in facilitating partnership and technical cooperation between the Iraqi government and the 20 UN agencies, funds, and programs operating in the country.

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