PRESS RELEASE : Now is the time for a transition to a new partnership between Iraq and the United Nations: UK statement at the UN Security Council [May 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 May 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on UNAMI.

The UK voted in favour of this resolution which renews UNAMI’s mandate for a final nineteen-month period. The UN Assistance Mission has made an important contribution to Iraq over the past twenty years. Now is the time for a transition to a new partnership between Iraq and the United Nations. We are pleased that this resolution prioritises support to electoral assistance, women’s political participation and human rights during the transition period.

It is also important that the opportunity for progress on Kuwait missing persons is realised during the transition. We look forward to further updates on this, and are ready, if necessary, to consider further options for Council action.

We thank the United States as penholder for their hard work and to all Council members for their constructive approach.

Thank you.