Guterres stresses UN commitment to Iraq during first visit in 6 years

“I’m right here in a go to of solidarity to underscore the dedication of the United Nations to assist Iraq within the consolidation of its democratic establishments and advancing peace, sustainable improvement and human rights for all Iraqis,” Mr. Guterres advised journalists in Baghdad, after touching down late on Tuesday.

After “a long time of oppression, battle, terrorism, sectarianism and international interference” in Iraq’s affairs – simply days forward of the 20^th anniversary of the 2003 invasion – Mr. Guterres acknowledged that the challenges the nation faces couldn’t be brushed apart.

Opportune second

And amid experiences that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani continues to face potential political obstacles in reviving nationwide fortunes, the UN chief, in a joint press encounter with Mr. Al-Sudani, expressed his hope that Iraq “can break cycles of instability and fragility”.

He added: “I applaud the Prime Minister for his dedication to handle essentially the most urgent challenges dealing with the nation head on – together with combatting corruption, bettering public companies, and diversifying the economic system to scale back unemployment and create alternatives, particularly for younger individuals.

“Such structural change requires systemic reform, stronger establishments, better accountability and higher governance in any respect ranges – and the United Nations stands able to assist these necessary efforts.”

Referencing reported divisions over the sharing of Iraqi oil revenues between central authorities within the capital and provincial authorities within the north, Mr. Guterres inspired all events to construct on “current optimistic steps” between Baghdad and Erbil. “Sustainable agreements” and dialogue must be the long-term goal the UN Secretary-Common mentioned.

UN Secretary-Common António Guterres meets Iraq’s Minister of International Affairs on his arrival in Baghdad, Iraq.

Dignity of Iraq’s displaced

In earlier comments simply after touching down, Mr. Guterres additionally spoke of his “huge admiration” for the Iraqi individuals, highlighting how he had witnessed the braveness of these displaced contained in the nation a number of occasions, on earlier visits.

The UN Secretary-Common additionally highlighted how Iraqi refugees in Jordan and in Syria had proven that they had been in a position “to reside in solidarity with one another, to assist one another within the spirit that, for my part, is the most effective hope for the way forward for the nation”.

Iraq’s efforts to repatriate its residents from northeast Syria – together with from the notorious Al Hol camp – had been “exemplary”, Mr. Guterres mentioned, earlier than noting Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s dedication to permitting the secure and dignified return of ethnic Yazidis to their properties in northern Iraq, after struggling genocide by the hands of Daesh in 2014.

Water emergency

Addressing one other key problem for Iraq, particularly water shortage, Mr. Guterres famous that the difficulty required worldwide consideration, earlier than flagging the UN 2023 Water Conference from 22-24 March in New York.

The mighty Tigris and the Euphrates rivers had been now operating dry and the impression on agriculture has been dramatic, the UN chief mentioned, including that “it breaks my coronary heart” to see farmers who’ve been compelled to desert lands the place crops have been grown for 1000’s of years.

Iraq is without doubt one of the nations worst hit by local weather change, which has pushed displacement, threatened meals safety, destroyed livelihoods, fuelled battle and undermined human rights, Mr. Guterres maintained.

When coupled with a unstable safety state of affairs and governance challenges, “it could put stability in danger… so now could be the time for the worldwide group to assist Iraq in tackling its environmental challenges, diversifying its economic system, and harnessing its potential for sustainable progress,” the Secretary-Common insisted.

Secretary-Common António Guterres meets with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at UNAMI Headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq.

Then and now

Later within the day, the UN chief held a press conference the place he contrasted his go to six years in the past amidst the existential risk posed by the battle in opposition to terrorist group Da’esh, or ISIL, with Iraq now.

His go to then was “certainly one of solidarity in a second of urgency. As we speak it’s a go to of solidarity and hope for the way forward for Iraq. With a brand new Authorities in place, there’s a window of alternative for progress”, he mentioned.

The Secretary-Common on Wednesday additionally heard from representatives from girls’s teams and youth, who voiced their views on the necessity for additional opening up of civic areas and expressed concern over unemployment and local weather change.

He famous with curiosity, the growing consciousness of local weather change points each from the Authorities aspect and amongst civil society. He inspired activists and civil society teams to mobilize and foyer authorities for additional motion on adaptation and local weather resilience.

UN groups

The Secretary-Common additionally held a townhall assembly with UN personnel primarily based in Iraq, together with the help mission UNAMI, the Nation Group and the UN Investigative Group deliver Da’esh terrorists to account (UNITAD). 

He additionally visited the Nationwide Museum of Iraq, where he voiced appreciation for the immense contribution made by Iraq to world historical past.

“The contribution of Iraq to world civilization, to world tradition, is totally excellent”, he mentioned reflecting on the truth that the Abbasid Caliphate flourished, whereas Europe was nonetheless a “barbarian space”.

“So, I am right here to pay tribute to all these which can be working on this museum, preserving it within the troublesome occasions that Iraq has confronted some years in the past, which permit us to have the ability to ponder the magnificent tradition and historical past of this glorious nation.”

Heading north

On Thursday, the Secretary-Common is because of go to a camp for displaced individuals within the northern a part of Iraq. 

He plans to fulfill residents and have a first-hand have a look at the work that UN companies are doing there, serving these compelled to depart their properties. Within the afternoon he’ll head to Erbil and meet varied officers from the Kurdistan Regional Authorities.