At the UN Security Council on 2 December 2025, the United Kingdom said that, as the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) finishes at the end of December, attention should remain on Iraq’s sovereignty, the rule of law, effective state institutions and urgent economic reform. The statement by UK Deputy Political Coordinator Caroline Quinn also highlighted anti-corruption and human rights, and confirmed the UK’s readiness to support Baghdad in these areas.
UNAMI’s mandate was set in May 2024 for a final 19‑month period to 31 December 2025 under Security Council Resolution 2732. After that date, only liquidation work continues, with a transition plan requested by the Council and financial oversight reviewed by the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee in March 2025.
To sustain work on the Iraq–Kuwait file once UNAMI departs, the Council adopted Resolution 2792 on 17 September 2025. The text requests the Secretary‑General to appoint a Senior Representative focused on the repatriation or return of missing Kuwaiti and third‑country nationals and Kuwaiti property; the first update to the Council is due by 31 March 2026, followed by six‑monthly reports, with a mid‑2028 review and Council consideration of the need for continued UN oversight no later than 31 December 2030.
The UK encouraged continued UN partnership on human rights, welcomed steps to increase women’s political participation and called for robust child protection and women’s rights legislation. It also stressed that survivors of sexual and gender‑based violence should receive accountability and support.
London commended Iraq’s recent parliamentary elections and urged swift government formation. Iraq voted on 11 November 2025; the electoral commission later confirmed the Prime Minister’s bloc as the largest, making coalition talks the next determinant of executive leadership. UNAMI supported preparations in the run‑up to polling.
On confidence‑building with Kuwait, the UK noted tangible progress, including Iraq’s recent handover of 400 boxes of national archive materials. The Tripartite Mechanism led by the ICRC remains the technical forum for cooperation, and UN reporting this year indicated that 315 cases are still unresolved.
As UNAMI ceases operations, Iraqi institutions will take on more of the coordination the mission previously provided across legal reform, electoral support and human rights monitoring. The UN Country Team will continue programme delivery after 31 December 2025, while the Senior Representative structure foreseen by Resolution 2792 preserves a dedicated multilateral channel for the Iraq–Kuwait file.
For UK policy teams and delivery partners, the priorities set out at the Council point to practical cooperation with Iraqi authorities: support to justice institutions, stronger procurement controls and public financial management, and measures to expand women’s participation and services for survivors. The UK indicated it stands ready to back progress in these areas.
Near‑term checks include the appointment of the Senior Representative mandated by Resolution 2792 and the Secretary‑General’s first written update by 31 March 2026. Council members have also signalled a review by 30 June 2028 and a decision point by 31 December 2030 on whether UN oversight should continue; progress on archive returns and identifications will be central to those assessments.
The UK concluded by thanking Special Representative Dr Mohamed Al Hassan and UNAMI staff for their contribution to Iraq’s stability, while reaffirming support for Iraq’s sovereignty, stability and prosperity and for the swift and full implementation of Resolution 2792.