United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) was formed on 14 August 2003 by United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1500 at the request of the Iraqi government to support national development efforts.[1][2]
UNAMI's mandate includes advising and assisting the government on political dialogue and national reconciliation; supporting political processes such as elections and the national census; facilitating regional dialogue between Iraq and neighboring countries; coordinating the delivery of humanitarian aid; advancing judicial and legal reforms; and promoting human rights.[3]
The Mission's achievements include assisting in six national elections, coordinating humanitarian and financial assistance from the UN and third-party donors, and providing advisory support to the Council of Representatives,[4] support which played a part in proceedings such as the drafting of Iraq's 2005 constitution, Since 2017, UNAMI has also worked to investigate and bring to justice members of ISIS for their crimes in the country.[5]
Since its establishment, UNAMI's mandate is subject to annual renewal and review by the UNSC; as of 2019, Resolution 2682 extended its mandate until 31 May 2024.[6]
History[edit]
The United Nations has been operating in Iraq since 1955 through a variety of programmes; specialized agencies established their offices in the early 1990s, with UNAMI being established after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Amid deteriorating conditions in 2007, the UN worked to progressively increase its presence in Iraq and continued to expand its operations throughout the country. The UN maintains its presence in Iraq through the Assistance Mission and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), which regroups the 20 UN agencies currently operating in Iraq.[2] Former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General Sérgio Vieira de Mello was among 22 killed in a 2003 suicide attack carried out against the United Nations. The death of the envoy who was seen as a likely candidate for Secretary-General left a lasting impact on the United Nations.[7]
Leadership[edit]
UNAMI is headed by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, who is supported by the Deputy Special Representative for Iraq for Political, Electoral and Constitutional Support, who oversees political and human rights affairs; and the Deputy Special Representative for Iraq, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, who oversees UN humanitarian and development efforts. The Mission is administered by the United Nations Department of Political Affairs and supported by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support.
Ashraf Jehangir Qazi (2004–2005): Qazi was appointed SRSG in July 2004 and remained in position until September 2007.
Staffan de Mistura (2005–2009): De Mistura has a Swedish mother and an Italian father. He was appointed SRSG in September 2007. De Mistura remained in his position until July 2009.
Ad Melkert (2009–2011): Melkert is from the Netherlands. Melkert studied political science at the University of Amsterdam. Melkert was appointed SRSG in July 2009.[8]
Martin Kobler (2011–2013): Kobler is from Germany. Kobler was appointed SRSG in August 2011.[9]
Nickolay Mladenov (2013–2015): Mladenov is from Bulgaria. In 1995, he graduated from the University of National and World Economy, majoring in international relations. The following year he obtained an MA in war studies from King's College London. Mladenov was appointed as SRSG in August 2013. Mladenov remained in his post until February 2015, when he was appointed UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.
Ján Kubiš (2015–2019): Kubiš was appointed SRSG in February 2015. Kubiš is from Slovakia. Kubiš studied international relations at the University of Moscow. Kubiš remained in his post until December 2018. In January 2019, Kubiš was appointed United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon.
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert (2019–present): Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert of the Netherlands is the current SRSG for Iraq, succeeding Ján Kubiš of Slovakia in December 2018.[10] The current Deputy Special Representative for Political, Electoral and Constitutional Affairs is Alice Walpole of the United Kingdom,[11] While Ghulam Isaczai of Afghanistan serves as the Deputy Special Representative responsible for humanitarian and development efforts.[12]
In 2023, there were approximately 648 personnel, 251 international staff and 397 national staff working for UNAMI.[13]
The current mandate of UNAMI was extended to 31 May 2023 under UNSC Resolution 2631, adopted on 26 May 2022.[14] One of its tasks is to implement the International Compact with Iraq. The Mission is mandated "as circumstances permit" and "at the request of the Government of Iraq" to:
- 77 troops and one military observer. After Fiji, Nepal bears the most responsibility for guarding UN assets in Iraq.[16]
Nepal
(in English, Arabic, and Sorani Kurdish)
