Kurdistan
Caption: Safeen Dizayee, head of the KRG’s Department of Foreign Relations reported that its head, inks memorandum of understanding with Ghulam Isaczai, the organization’s Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, on March 15, 2026. Photo: KRG.DFR.Official/Facebook
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on Sunday formally concluded its mission in the Kurdistan Region, handing over its headquarters and inking a memorandum of understanding with Erbil. This follows the official end of UNAMI’s long-standing presence in federal Iraq in late December.
In a statement, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations reported that its head, Safeen Dizayee, received a UN delegation led by Ghulam Isaczai, the organization’s Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, to “officially conclude” UNAMI’s “mandate and hand over the UN office in Erbil” to the KRG.
During the meeting, Dizayee briefed the delegation on “the situation in the Kurdistan Region and regional security developments, expressing hopes for peace and stability in place of conflict and tension.” He also “expressed gratitude to the UN officials for their support over the past several years, particularly in strengthening the democratic process, upholding the rule of law, promoting good governance, and developing capacities in the Kurdistan Region and across Iraq.”
The statement quoted Isaczai as thanking KRG institutions that “cooperated in implementing UN projects and programs in the region,” hoping that the KRG “would continue to coordinate with UN agencies operating in the Kurdistan Region.”
Dizayee and Isaczai additionally signed a memorandum of understanding relating to the handover of the UN office to the KRG.
UNAMI officially concluded its long-standing presence in Iraq in late December, following a formal request by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, who maintained that the country had achieved sufficient stability to manage its own political affairs without international oversight.
The UN Security Council facilitated this exit through Resolution 2732, which provided a transition period for the mission to liquidate its assets and transfer responsibilities. The closure was marked by high-level visits, including a final mission from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who characterized the exit as a milestone for Iraq's sovereignty.
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