Despite gains, Iraq has not yet ‘turned the corner’, Security Council hears – UN News
Now is not the time to be complacent, or to take for granted that Iraq has turned a corner, said the UN Special Representative for Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert.
Achievements range from fighting corruption to advancing energy independence, said Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), briefing on recent developments.
But going forward, she said, critical actions must tackle outstanding issues, including forging an agreement on a functioning budget and ensure the long-awaited provincial council elections occur by the end of 2023.
Turning to the Kurdistan region, she said disagreements between the two ruling parties in recent months drove the region close to the brink amid an increasingly reckless and irresponsible political situation.
Among a range of concerns, she raised the issue of the long-overdue parliamentary elections.
Time is of the essence, she said, adding that agreement on outstanding electoral issues must urgently be found. Another postponement would be detrimental to public trust.
Despite repeated declarations of commitment from Baghdad and Erbil, she remained disappointed over the scant progress made so far, in implementing the 2020 Sinjar Agreement, which outlined a road map for reconstructing the north of the country.
Such stagnation creates further space for spoilers to exploit the situation to their own ends, and it blocks thousands of displaced Sinjaris from returning to their areas of origin, she said.
A recent rise in tensions between communities in Sinjar was in large part further fuelled by online disinformation targeting the Yazidi community.
While local leaders from all sides have collectively worked to dispel this spike in tensions, she said, challenges to reconciliation will persist until meaningful steps are taken, including those towards a unified administration, stable security structures and reconstruction.
Be it the budget, questions surrounding hydrocarbon resources, disputed territories, the implementation of the Sinjar Agreement, or any other outstanding issue for that matter, she said it remains essential to move beyond ad hoc engagements between Baghdad and Erbil.
Developing countries, like Iraq (pictured) lack the resources to invest in recovery, climate action and the SDGs.
Water represents the most critical climate emergency for Iraq. By 2035, it is estimated that Iraq will have the capacity to meet only 15 per cent of its water demands. Around 90 per cent of Iraq's rivers are polluted, and seven million people are currently suffering from reduced access to water. This is a significant multiplier of threats to Iraqs stability.
Welcoming the priority placed on the issue of water security by Iraqs Government, she said plans for the extensive updating of water management systems are said to be underway, which will be vital in meeting demands driven by population growth and urbanization.
The fair sharing of resources among Iraqs neighbours is equally important, she said. If water access becomes a competition, everyone loses; bold domestic actions and close regional cooperation offer the only winning solution.
Regional security, economic and political developments will continue to impact Iraq, she said, emphasizing that the importance of the Governments efforts to scale up diplomacy with and among its neighbours in a number of areas, from border security and trade to water-sharing and climate issues.
Underlining the need for active, empowered and protected civic space, she expressed hope that Iraqs leaders and authorities publicly embrace civic engagement, and the freedom of expression at that, to avoid fomenting a renewed sense of isolation and disillusion among Iraqi people, particularly the younger generation and women.
Accountability, rule of law, and respect for human rights are equally essential to preventing recurring cycles of crises, she said.
Turning to the issue of missing Kuwaiti and third-party nationals and of Kuwaiti property as a result of Iraqs short-lived invasion of the country in 1990, she noted progress in locating witnesses and possible burial sites and welcomed welcome the Prime Ministers decision to establish a committee to continue these efforts.
However, she said her Officer continues to await progress on the retrieval of missing Kuwaiti property, including the national archives.
These gains could be easily spoiled, whether through unchecked corruption, interference from within, intrusion from the outside, a groundswell of disillusion or political horse-trading against the common good, she said.
Iraq has tremendous potential, she said. Through ambitious Government plans, provided they are fully implemented, many drivers of instability can be addressed.
More here:
Despite gains, Iraq has not yet 'turned the corner', Security Council hears - UN News
- US to announce plan to draw down troops in Iraq - POLITICO - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- U.S. and Iraq Agree to Withdraw Nearly All American Troops by the End of 2026 - The Wall Street Journal - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- US anticipates announcement to cut back troops in Iraq next week - The Hill - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Iraq Militia Battling US Troops Is 'Not Convinced' Biden Ready To Withdraw - Newsweek - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- US expected to announce military drawdown in Iraq while ISIS missions continue - Washington Examiner - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Iraq Acquiring KM-SAM II Systems - Aviation Week - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- US Seeks New Deal With Iraq After Baghdad Says Troops Not Needed - Bloomberg - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Transition Of Operation Inherent Resolve To US-Iraq Bilateral Security Partnership To Be Announced Next Week - Eurasia Review - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- National Strategy for the Protection and Improvement of the Environment in Iraq (2024 - 2030) [EN/AR] - ReliefWeb - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- REACH conference 2024: Transforming healthcare in Iraq - Iraqi News - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- US allegedly agrees to pull out from Iraq by 2027 - baha news - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Talk of U.S. Iraq Withdrawal Is Disconnected From ISIS Threat - RealClearDefense - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Iraq Telecom Wins $3B in Arbitral Awards against former Kurdish Partner - Law.com International - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Reflections on Experiences of the International Labour Organization: Towards Promoting Decent Employment for Public Works Programmes in Iraq - ILO - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Iran-Backed Militias Strengthen Presence in Iraq as Tensions Rise in the Region - Iran News Update - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Syrian Opposition Outlet: Dozens Of Houthi Drone And Missile Specialists Arrive In Syria From Iraq - Middle East Media Research Institute - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Talk of US Iraq withdrawal is disconnected from ISIS threat - Military Times - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Drone intercepted near Sea of Galilee was launched from Iraq, says IDF - The Times of Israel - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Iraq touts deal with U.S. to withdraw most troops by 2026 - The Washington Post - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Once Considered Foes, Iranian-Backed Groups Get a Warm Welcome From Iraq - The New York Times - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Book on history of Iran-Iraq war to be unveiled at University of Tehran - Tehran Times - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Talk of US Iraq withdrawal is disconnected from ISIS threat - Foundation for Defense of Democracies - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- National Strategy for the Protection and Improvement of the Environment in Iraq - United Nations Development Programme - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Iraq to announce timeframe for the withdrawal of coalition forces - Middle East Monitor - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Houthis, Hamas open offices in Baghdad: How Iran won over Iraq with 2,500 US troops in the country - Firstpost - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- KCK calls on Iraq to take a stand against Turkeys attacks and renounce the agreement with Turkey - ANF English - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Iraq launches national strategy to protect the environment - Iraqi News - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Watch What Closer Ties Between Iraq and Iran Mean for the West - Bloomberg - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Iraq Thinks Its Time for US Troops to Go Home - Bloomberg - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- US blames Iran-linked groups for Tuesday attack on Iraq diplomatic compound - The Times of Israel - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- France, Italy, Spain Win Key EU Roles; Iraq PM on US Troops | Bloomberg The Pulse 09/17/24 - Bloomberg - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Not Hezbollah, Biggest Revenge Threat For Lebanon Blasts By This New Group | Israel | Iraq | Iran - Hindustan Times - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- End of US military presence in Iraq to be announced 'soon': Sudani - The Cradle - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- What JD Vance did in Iraq, as told by the friend who served with him - The Independent - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Iraq Wheat Production Up 21%, Official Says, Amid Ample Rainfall - Bloomberg - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Five people killed in drone strike on vehicle in Syria-Iraq border - The Jerusalem Post - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Five arrested over attack that wounded US troops in Iraq air base, statement says - Voice of America - VOA News - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Five arrested over Iraq airbase attack that wounded US troops, Iraq officials say - Reuters - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- What to Make of Recent Attacks on Coalition Bases in Iraq and Syria? - The Washington Institute - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- US troops injured in attack in Iraq as tensions in region increase - POLITICO - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Houthi drone expert among those killed in U.S. strike in Iraq - The Washington Post - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Seven US personnel injured in Monday rocket attack at Al Asad airbase in Iraq, including two evacuated for further care - CNN - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Vance Attacks Walzs Military Record, Accusing Him of Avoiding a Tour in Iraq - The New York Times - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- US personnel injured in attack on Al Asad airbase in Iraq - BBC.com - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Iraq-Born Austrian Auteur Kurdwin Ayub Keeps It Provocative With Moon: I Want to Trigger People - Hollywood Reporter - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Turkey says it killed 12 Kurdish militants in northern Iraq - Reuters - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- US Troops Injured in Attack on Air Base in Iraq as White House Warns of Possible Response - Air & Space Forces Magazine - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Oregon National Guard sends off 230 soldiers to Iraq and Syria - KGW.com - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Suspected rocket attack hits US Ain al-Asad base in Iraq - NewsNation Now - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- 5 arrested for rocket attack on base in Iraq that injured 4 service members, 1 contractor - Stars and Stripes - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Five pro-Iran fighters said killed in drone strike near Syria-Iraq border - The Times of Israel - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Tim Walzs military record under fire amid accusations he ducked the Iraq war - The Telegraph - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Several US troops injured in missile attack on base in Iraq - The Times of Israel - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- US base in Iraq hit amid rising Mideast tensions - The Week - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Tim Walz left National Guard battalion 'hanging,' 'slithered out the door' before Iraq deployment: vets - New York Post - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- US Forces Attacked in Iraq: What We Know - Newsweek - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Iraq plans to lower the marriage age for girls to nine: Here're the other proposed controversial changes - The Economic Times - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Tracking Anti-U.S. and Anti-Israel Strikes From Iraq and Syria During the Gaza Crisis - The Washington Institute - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- In Iraq's summer, residents of Kurdistan's Arbil ache for water - The Paulding County Progress - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- 2024 News items - Members welcome Iraqs return to WTO accession talks after 16 years - WTO Latest News - July 22nd, 2024 [July 22nd, 2024]
- Is Houthi expansion in Iraq a genuine threat or smoke screen? - Al-Monitor - July 22nd, 2024 [July 22nd, 2024]
- The Yezidi genocide devastated Iraqs community 10 years ago but the roots of the prejudice that fueled it were much deeper - The Conversation... - July 22nd, 2024 [July 22nd, 2024]
- Lessons for postwar Gaza from Iraq and Afghanistan - JNS.org - July 22nd, 2024 [July 22nd, 2024]
- UNODC participates in the 2nd Baghdad International Conference on Countering Narcotics and presents the report Drug Trafficking Dynamics across Iraq... - July 22nd, 2024 [July 22nd, 2024]
- After 20 years, is Iraq making progress in bid to join WTO? - Al-Monitor - July 22nd, 2024 [July 22nd, 2024]
- J.D. Vance Criticizes Bidens Support for Iraq War in 2003 But Pushes Hawkish Policy on China & Iran - Democracy Now! - July 22nd, 2024 [July 22nd, 2024]
- Why the Pentagon Is Warning That ISIS Attacks Could Double This Year - The New York Times - July 22nd, 2024 [July 22nd, 2024]
- APTOPIX Iraq Moon - The Daily Reflector - July 22nd, 2024 [July 22nd, 2024]
- Iraq Moon - The Daily Reflector - July 22nd, 2024 [July 22nd, 2024]
- Iraq to offer 100 investment opportunities - Iraqi News - July 22nd, 2024 [July 22nd, 2024]
- ISIS attacks in Iraq and Syria up dramatically from 2023 - Task & Purpose - July 22nd, 2024 [July 22nd, 2024]
- Iraq's Sovereignty Is in Jeopardy. Why Is Nobody Speaking Up? | Opinion - Newsweek - July 6th, 2024 [July 6th, 2024]
- Iraq Is Surging The Tourism Industry With New Visa Free Entry Policy For 8 Countries Including UAE, Qatar And Bahrain - Travel And Tour World - July 6th, 2024 [July 6th, 2024]
- OPEC crude oil production remains steady as Iraq, UAE pump above quota - WorldOil - July 6th, 2024 [July 6th, 2024]
- Army vet receives Bronze Star with valor 20 years later for bravery in Iraq ambush - Task & Purpose - July 6th, 2024 [July 6th, 2024]
- Iran's war of attrition against Israel and the US - The Jerusalem Post - July 6th, 2024 [July 6th, 2024]
- Turkey brings Al Nusra and other jihadists to Northern Iraq to fight against PKK - Medya News - July 6th, 2024 [July 6th, 2024]
- Iraq Iran Election | World | reflector.com - The Daily Reflector - July 6th, 2024 [July 6th, 2024]
- Iraq Humanitarian Transition Overview 2024 (June 2024) - Iraq - ReliefWeb - June 30th, 2024 [June 30th, 2024]
- Hamas Considering Relocation From Qatar To Iraq - Report - I24NEWS - i24NEWS - June 30th, 2024 [June 30th, 2024]