Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani delivered a strong message during his address at the UN General Assembly on Thursday, expressing disappointment over the UN Security Council's failure to uphold international peace and security, particularly amid escalating violence in the Middle East.

Sudani pointed to Israel’s recent cross-border strikes in Lebanon and ongoing regional conflicts as key areas where the international community, led by the Security Council, has failed to act effectively. He warned that the lack of decisive action could lead to greater instability across the region. "Today, we are witnessing unprecedented violations of international treaties and norms," Sudani said, highlighting the risks of sidelining international institutions responsible for promoting peace.

Israeli airstrikes have caused significant casualties in southern Lebanon, with over 700 deaths and thousands injured, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The strikes come amid Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group.

Sudani also touched on Iraq's role in sending humanitarian aid to Lebanon, announcing plans for air and land bridges to deliver further assistance.

In his speech, the Iraqi premier expressed concerns that the region is at risk of sliding into large-scale conflict. He emphasized that the UN must step up its efforts to prevent further violence, particularly in Gaza, which has been embroiled in conflict for nearly a year.

Post-ISIS Reconstruction and Security Progress

Sudani also reflected on Iraq's progress since the military defeat of ISIS in 2017, stressing that the country is now focused on comprehensive reconstruction and development efforts. He highlighted the progress made in security, announcing that Iraq would soon mark its success against terrorism alongside international allies. This comes as Iraq and the US continue discussions about transitioning the US-led anti-ISIS coalition into a bilateral security partnership.

Erbil-Baghdad Relations and Democratic Processes

Sudani affirmed Baghdad’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with the Kurdistan Region and other provinces. He pointed to the long-delayed provincial council elections, which have now been organized after a decade, and preparations for elections in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Sudani acknowledged the ongoing disputes between Baghdad and Erbil, particularly over oil exports, but expressed hope for a resolution through ongoing negotiations.

Combatting Corruption and Climate Change

Tackling corruption remains a top priority for the Iraqi government, Sudani emphasized, calling for international support to recover stolen Iraqi funds. Corruption has been a pervasive issue in Iraq, with an estimated $400 billion missing from state coffers since 2003.

In addition, Sudani highlighted Iraq’s vulnerability to climate change, calling for global cooperation to address the environmental challenges facing the region, including water scarcity and desertification. He warned that these issues could exacerbate social and political crises unless urgent action is taken.

Iraq has seen significant declines in water levels in its two main rivers, the Euphrates and the Tigris, with experts warning of severe consequences for the country’s agriculture and industry if the issue is not addressed.