Kurdish UN adviser retires after decades of service

DOHUK, Kurdistan Region—A high-ranking United Nation official of Kurdish origin retired this month after decades of working with the world body in different regions.
 
Wrya Qaradaqi, 62, is now in Dubai as an adviser to the United Arab Emirates government in development and international relations.
 
“The UN often sent me to countries which previously went through wars and devastation and I assisted them in reconstruction efforts,” said Qaradaqi, who has worked for the UN since 1991.
 
“I have represented the UN in 24 countries, some longer and some shorter periods, where I often prepared projects on how to tackle the reconstruction challenges,” he added.
 
Qaradaqi cited his work in Afghanistan in late 1990s, when the Islamist radicals ran the country, as highly memorable.
 
“I visited Afghanistan when the Taliban were in power which meant that we faced many challenges,” he recounted.
 
Qaradaqi was critical of the Kurdistan Regional Government for failing to make use of his knowledge and experience in international relations.
 
“I advise the government in the UAE now and I very much would have liked to do the same for my own country Kurdistan for years, but I was never given the opportunity to serve my nation.”