UN Report on Iraq by UN Special Rep Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert #IraqProgress

 

UN Special Representative Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert updated ambassadors on key developments since her last briefing in May by presenting the Mission's latest report.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, she highlighted the recently adopted federal budget, long-awaited banking and finance reforms, and a new law on social security.

Hennis-Plasschaert noted that despite the admirable commitments of the government, "it is clear that the intricate web of graft and vested interests that have developed in Iraq over decades will not be dismantled overnight."

“The embers of discontent could flare up easily, again and again, without structural reforms to guarantee employment opportunities or improvement in quality of life,” she warned.

The UN official pointed out other “threat multipliers,” including climate change and water scarcity. The temperature in Iraq again exceeded 50 degrees Celsius this summer, according to the UN migration agency, IOM. In June, nearly 14,000 families were displaced by drought across 10 governorates.

Iraq's economy is heavily reliant on oil, while its public sector is "unsustainable."

Although the Iraqi government has taken significant steps after its formation, it needs to do more to meet the needs of its population, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq told the Security Council on Tuesday.

Ambassadors were briefed by Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN special envoy for Iraq, on significant developments since her May briefing.

The new federal budget, finance reforms, and introducing a social security law were among the actions undertaken under Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani's guidance.

As well as climate change and water shortages, the UN representative identified other "threat multipliers." The International Organization for Migration reported that around 14,000 families in 10 provinces were displaced by drought conditions in June, which caused temperatures to exceed 50 degrees Celsius.

Kurdistan's parliamentary elections, initially scheduled for October 2022, have been postponed to February after being rescheduled to November.

Hennis-Plasschaert said the region's democratic process must prevail as the current administration serves as a caretaker. "There is so much at stake," said Hennis-Plasschaert.