Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani has formally requested the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres on Wednesday, to conclude UNAMI's mission in Iraq by December 2025, according to a letter seen seen by The New Region on Friday. 

In the letter sent to the Security Council, PM Sudani expressed Iraq's interest in strengthening cooperation with other UN agencies. However, he stated that the political functions of the UN assistance mission, UNAMI, were no longer necessary.

The letter included gratitude from Iraq for the efforts and support of the United Nations, “I wish to convey the Government of Iraq’s gratitude for the long-standing support of the United Nations and the international community to the people of Iraq”.

In the letter, PM Sudani specified that the mission in the meantime should focus only on issues pertaining to "economic reform, service provision, sustainable development, climate change and other development sectors."

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (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.

The Security Council next week will debate renewal of the mission since the current mandate terminates at the end of the month.

Since 2023, Iraq's government has taken steps to terminate various international missions, including the Global Coalition formed in 2014 to combat ISIS, as well as the UN's mission aimed at advancing accountability for the crimes committed by ISIS.