ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday marked the end of the UN mandate in Iraq, hailing the country’s progress and stressing continued collaboration.

Guterres landed in Baghdad in the afternoon, where he was received at the airport by Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. The UN chief’s visit comes as the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) concludes its mandate at the end of the year.

“The end of UNAMI’s mandate does not signify the end of Iraq’s relationship with the United Nations, but rather the beginning of a new phase of cooperation,” said Sudani during a ceremony marking the end of the mission, noting that Guterres’ presence “conveys a clear message that Iraq’s relationship with the United Nations is stronger than ever.”

For his part, the UN chief stated that, despite the mandate’s conclusion, the UN will “always walk alongside the people of Iraq on the path toward peace, sustainable development and human rights.”

Both Sudani and Guterres lauded the country’s progress throughout the years, overcoming crippling obstacles like the eruption of a bloody sectarian war in the wake of the 2003 US invasion, and the menacing threat posed by the Islamic State (ISIS) and other radical groups.

“Iraq has witnessed tangible progress in security, institutional reform, humanitarian and social advancement, and the active role of civil society,” said the Iraqi premier, adding “over the past three years, Iraq has experienced significant progress across all sectors, as attested by presidents and senior officials who have visited the country.”

“For those who lived through the troubled early years of the transition, today’s Iraq is unrecognizable and remarkable,” said Guterres. “A country at peace with increased security and a clear determination to win the battle of development.”

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein also spoke during the ceremony, emphasizing that the end of UNAMI is merely a transition to a new phase of relations between Baghdad and the UN.

“The partnership between Iraq and the UN is neither incidental nor temporary; rather, it is a firm and enduring partnership that has extended over many decades toward broader horizons of constructive cooperation and joint action in the service of peace, development, and human rights,” said the Iraqi top diplomat.

UNAMI chief Mohammed al-Hassan on Friday told 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’s role was to advise the Iraqi government on political dialogue and reconciliation, as well as helping with elections and security sector reform.

In May 2024, the UN Security Council extended UNAMI’s mandate for a final 19-month period until December 31, 2025, after which UNAMI would cease all work and operations, upon the request of the Iraqi government.