ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Iraq on Sunday, meeting with top Iraqi officials to stress the importance of continued ties between the international organization and Baghdad despite the conclusion of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) in December.

Following a brief delay due to poor weather conditions, Guterres landed in Baghdad in the afternoon, where he was received at the airport by Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. 

The Iraqi top diplomat stressed his government's appreciation "for the role played by the United Nations and UNAMI in supporting Iraq during the previous stages, noting that the termination of the mission’s work reflects the progress and stability achieved and embodies Iraq’s ability to manage its national affairs and strengthen its sovereignty and constitutional institutions," according to a foreign ministry statement.

The UN chief was then received by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, with whom he held a brief press conference in which the pair discussed Iraq's progress in achieving its contemporary security situation and future partnership initiatives.

The premier kicked off proceedings by assuring that the culmination of UNAMI's mandate does not mean the end of UN-Iraq cooperation, asserting that "we look forward to establishing relations with the United Nations based on the foundations of partnership."

Sudani officially requested in May that the UN conclude UNAMI's mission in Iraq by December 2025.

Sudani also expressed his appreciation of Guterres' selection of former Iraqi president and salient Kurdish political figure Barham Salih to be the UN's next High Commissioner for Refugees, thus taking responsibility for the multilateral organization's efforts to, in the UN's words, provide "life-saving assistance, including shelter, food, water, and medical care for people forced to flee conflict and persecution."

For his part, the secretary-general said that "Iraq is a land of civilization, history, and humanity, and we have witnessed its courage, steadfastness, and determination in overcoming terrorism, foreign interference, and sectarianism."

"UNAMI's mission in Iraq helped in reconstruction after decades of war, and our goal was to support Iraq in its efforts to restore stability," he continued. "With the closure of the mission, there will remain vital human development agencies, and we stand with Iraq to build a prosperous and stable country."

UNAMI chief Mohammed al-Hassan on Friday espoused similar sentiments, telling UN News that the mission has been "accomplished" and that he believes Iraq "is ready to move to another phase, solidifying its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

UNAMI was established in 2003 under UN Security Council Resolution 1500, following a request from the Iraqi government at the time.

The mission advises the government on political dialogue and reconciliation, as well as helping with elections and security sector reform.