In a significant development, the Iraqi government has formally requested the permanent end of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) by the end of 2025. This request was communicated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, citing that the reasons for having a political mission in Iraq are no longer justified.

The request was a focal point of discussion during a meeting between United States Ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romanowski, and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Monday. Ambassador Romanowski emphasized the importance of timely elections in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) and discussed the future of UNAMI, alongside regional developments.

Ambassador Romanowski highlighted the significance of continuous information sharing on policy matters as part of the #USIraq360partnership.

Prime Minister Sudani outlined that UNAMI's remaining efforts should concentrate on economic reform, service delivery, sustainable development, climate change, and other developmental aspects, including the responsible winding down and shutdown processes during 2025.

UNAMI was established in August 2003 under UN Security Council Resolution 1500, at the request of Iraq, to support Baghdad’s developmental endeavors. Although UNAMI does not directly implement humanitarian programs, it has played a crucial role in facilitating partnerships and technical cooperation between the Iraqi government and the 20 United Nations agencies, funds, and programs operating in the country.

The Iraqi government has expressed readiness to fully cooperate and offer support for the shutdown process, including sending a technical team to discuss and agree on a mechanism to conclude the mission.

The future trajectory of UNAMI remains a pivotal subject amidst evolving dynamics in Iraq, with ongoing discussions between stakeholders shaping the final steps of this long-standing UN mission.