Statement delivered by H.E. Pedro Comissário, Permanent Representative of Mozambique to the United Nations, on behalf of the A3+, at the Security Council Briefing on 'The Situation concerning Iraq'

Mr. President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+, namely Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone and my own country Mozambique.

We thank Ms. Hanaa Edwar, President of Iraqi Al-Amal Association, for her informative briefing. We welcome the participation of His Excellency the Permanent Representative of Kuwait and the Deputy Permanent Representative of Iraq in today's meeting.

Mr. President,

We wish to warmly welcome and extend our profound gratitude to Mr. Mohamed Al Hassan, the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Iraq and Head of UNAMI for his comprehensive and rich briefing to this Council.

The A3+ wishes to express its unwavering support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. We commend his excellent leadership skills, along with the tireless efforts of the United Nations staff in Iraq.

Mr. President,

We commend the Government of Iraq, led by the Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, for their sustained efforts aimed at addressing the country’s most pressing challenges.

The adoption of the 2024 Federal Budget Law, the holding of Parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region, the election of the Speaker of the Iraq Parliament, and the efforts made by the government in the economic reform and in the delivery of public services are laudable. The A3+ encourages all stakeholders to continue working together for the benefit of the people of Iraq.

High voter turnout testifies the growing public trust in democratic institutions. In order to sustain this momentum, all parties must prioritise the establishment of an inclusive and effective governance system in accordance with national laws of Iraq.

Mr. President,

The plight of an estimated one million internally displaced persons in Iraq remains a critical humanitarian issue. Efforts by the National High Committee and the government’s collaboration with the United Nations, the implementation of effective measures like documentation access, closures and reintegration policy development and humanitarian assistance to ensure the safe and voluntary return of IDPs are commendable. These are essential measures for national stability.

The A3+ commends Iraq’s leadership, in repatriating citizens from the Hawl Camp in Syria. This sets a pathway to alleviate human suffering and to address the ongoing crisis.

Mr. President,

Despite the progress made so far, the A3+ remains concerned over the prevailing security challenges facing Iraq, exacerbated by regional tensions, particularly in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.

We are of the view that Iraq’s sovereignty must be respected amidst the complex dynamics in the Middle East region. The safety and security of the people of Iraq should not be imperiled by the activities of foreign actors.

We therefore urge all actors to exercise maximum restraint and de-escalation, and to engage diplomatically to prevent further destabilization of the region.

The A3+ firmly believes that securing an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the full respect of the ceasefire in Lebanon is crucial toward a lasting peace throughout the region.

At the same time, the transition from the Global Coalition Against Da’esh to bilateral security partnerships is an encouraging sign of Iraq’s growing capacity and self – reliance to combat terrorism and ensure national and regional security.  We are of the view that this transition must be carefully managed, adequately supported, and aligned with Iraq’s constitutional framework to preserve the gains made thus far.

Mr. President,

It is clear that Iraq faces significant challenges including climate change and water scarcity, that negatively impact the people and the economy. We commend the efforts of the Iraqi government to combat desertification, implement sustainable water and irrigation policies, and increase green spaces. Addressing these challenges requires regional and international efforts in support of Iraq's adaptation to climate change and initiatives on renewable energy, such as those introduced by UNAMI.

Human rights and legislative reforms, including amendments to the Personal Status Law, must align with international standards of protection of women and children.

Mr. President,

The A3+ commends the ongoing efforts by Iraq and Kuwait, supported by UNAMI and the international community, to address the outstanding issues. They include the return of Kuwaiti property and the National Archives, and the repatriation or return of all Kuwaiti and third-party nationals or their remains. 

The A3+ looks forward to engaging constructively in discussions on the recommendations that the Secretary-General is expected to submit by 31st May 2025.

We are certain these recommendations will outline an appropriate follow-up mechanism to ensure continued progress in the event these issues remain unresolved upon the termination of UNAMI’s mandate. Further progress in investigations and advanced techniques is necessary, though challenges related to DNA testing delays and procedural inconsistencies may remain.

We commend the continued efforts between the two countries through the Tripartite Committee and the United Nations follow-up mechanism. We welcome the dedication and call for international technical support.

The A3+ emphasize the urgency of excavation activities, timely results, and focus on priority sites, to bring this task to a closure and alleviate the affected families.

We call on the Government of Iraq to reinvigorate their efforts in cooperation with Kuwait and other partners. We must ensure that those surviving loved ones of missing Kuwait, and third country nationals receive the closure that they deserve.

Mr. President,

As UNAMI gears towards its closure, ensuring smooth and well-coordinated transition is crucial. We welcome Iraq’s commitment to providing the necessary logistical, technical, and security support to facilitate this process.

We also wish to acknowledge the efforts under Security Council resolution 2732, particularly the establishment of the integrated working group at the UN Headquarters. This plays a vital role in coordinating transition planning and the orderly handover of responsibilities to the United Nations entities and strategic partners.

Moreover, we acknowledge and appreciate the proactive steps taken by the Government of Iraq in establishing a dedicated committee to facilitate interactions with UNAMI’s leadership on transition matters.

Looking ahead to the finalization of UNAMI’s transition and liquidation plan by 31st December 2024, the A3+ emphasises the importance of continued collaboration between UNAMI, the Government of Iraq, and all stakeholders to ensure an effective and timely conclusion.

Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone and Mozambique, encourage Iraq and Kuwait to continue to make progress on the outstanding issues through mutual respect and a commitment to the principles of peaceful settlement of disputes and good neighbourliness.

The International community will remain steadfast in supporting Iraq’s efforts to achieve lasting peace, stability, and prosperity.

I Thank you, Mr. President.