UN Secretary-General António Guterres meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. (Photo: UN/Mazin Al-Azzawi)

Addressing the official closing ceremony in Baghdad, Secretary-General António Guterres said the “United Nations will always walk alongside the people of Iraq on the path toward peace, sustainable development, and human rights”.

He added that UN agencies and programs will continue operating in Iraq after the UNAMI concludes its mandate.

Earlier, at a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Guterres said the partnership between the UN and Iraq will “return to normal once UNAMI concludes its operations.”

The ending of UNAMI’s mandate “does not signify the end of the partnership between Iraq and the UN,” Prime Minister al-Sudani said, adding that it represents the beginning of a new chapter of cooperation focused on development and inclusive economic growth. He said its conclusion showed Iraq had reached a stage of “full self-reliance.”

UNAMI was established under a UN Security Council resolution following the deployment of US troops in Iraq in 2003. Its mandate included assisting in institution-building, supporting political dialogue, organizing elections, and contributing to security sector reform.