President Barzani, UNAMI chief discuss Erbil-Baghdad ties

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday received Mohamed al-Hassan, head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), discussing Erbil-Baghdad ties and the mission’s role in the country.

“The two sides stressed the importance of maintaining political stability in Iraq, and for this purpose, strengthening cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil and resolving issues between the two sides through dialogue and understanding,” said a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.

During the meeting, Barzani and Hassan also touched on the Kurdistan Region’s recent parliamentary elections and stressed the need to “hasten the formation of the new cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government [KRG].”

UNAMI was established in August 2003 at the request of Iraq under the Security Council Resolution 1500 to support Baghdad’s developmental efforts. Its mandate was extended annually.

While UNAMI does not directly implement developmental and humanitarian programs, it plays an advisory role in facilitating partnership and technical cooperation between the Iraqi government and the 20 UN agencies, funds, and programs operating in the country.

Their mission for Iraq is set to conclude on December 31, 2025.

President Barzani and Hassan also discussed the refugees in the Kurdistan Region and the role of humanitarian organizations, with the UN reiterating its support for the Region.

Iraq hosts over 250,000 Syrian refugees, over 90 percent of whom reside in the Kurdistan Region, according to data from the UN refugee agency. A large portion of this number are civilians who were forced to flee their homes following the 2011 Syrian civil war.