The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterresvisited the capital of Iraq, Baghdad, this Saturday to say goodbye to the UN mission in the country, UNAMI, whose mandate ends on December 31.
Accompanied by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al Sudani, Guterres listed the work of a mission that began operations on August 14, 2003 and sadly made headlines after the attack just four days later that killed his special envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello and 21 others at the Canal Hotel in the Iraqi capital.
“We are deeply moved to have the presence of some survivors and relatives of the victims, and we honor the memory and legacy of all of them, including Sérgio Vieira de Mello.”Guterres said.
The Secretary General praised the Mission’s work in moments of greatest conflict, such as the Islamic State’s conquests “UNAMI has helped mobilize and coordinate support to protect civilians and millions of displaced people.”
Guterres welcomed the mission’s work “even in the negotiations on the 2020 Sinjar Agreement between the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government to accelerate reconstruction and restore confidence, and even in ensuring the safe and dignified return of millions of internally displaced people,” Guterres said.
“After UNAMI closes, many specialized United Nations organizations, funds and programs will remain here and continue their important development work in support of Iraq and Iraqis.”Guterres promised after declaring his mission accomplished for now.
“Iraq is now a normal country and UN-Iraq relations will return to normal with the end of UNAMI.”has, according to his memory, assured that all specialized agencies of the United Nations, such as the World Food Program and the World Health Organization, will remain in the country.
Al Sudani expressed exactly the same opinion and assured that the end of the UNAMI mission does not mean the end of cooperation between Iraq and the United Nations. “but represents the beginning of a new phase of cooperation, particularly in the areas of development, comprehensive economic growth and advice.”
“Our relationship with the United Nations through the UNAMI mission has been both fundamental and effective in meeting the needs of Iraq and helping the country achieve complete self-sufficiency.” Al Sudani concluded.
(With information from Europa Press)
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