Firstly, we welcome the smooth transition period towards the end of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq. It is encouraging to see that Iraq has remained stable despite an escalation of conflict in the region during the last 6 months. 

We commend the publication of Iraq’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and the announcement of a date for federal elections.

UNAMI’s support to the Independent High Electoral Commission on the upcoming elections has been very valuable. And it was very good to hear today, from the SRSG, about the progress being made toward key milestones.

We look forward to UNAMI assisting the Government of Iraq during the remainder of its mandate in ensuring the elections are free and fair.

Second, President, we continue to follow closely efforts in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to form its regional government.  

This is vital for the stability of the KRI and should ideally precede the federal elections. We hope that the political leaders and parties of the KRI can overcome their differences and form a government soon.

In this important electoral year for Iraq, we urge the Government of Iraq to ensure the protection of freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly, and to strengthen legal protection guarantees for journalists, the media and civil society.

Finally, President, we thank the Secretary-General for his recent report on Kuwait, Iraq missing persons. As penholder on this issue and a member of the ICRC-chaired Tripartite Commission, we look forward to working with Iraq, Kuwait and all other interested parties to identify a route forward.

In this regard, we are committed to undertaking close engagement with Council Members, stakeholders and the Secretariat regarding an appropriate post-UNAMI follow-on mechanism in the coming weeks.