UK, at Security Council, recognizes Democratic legitimacy of Kurdistan Regional Government
In the meeting, UK asked UNAMI to work closely with the Independent High Election Commission (IHEC), with the lessons learned as well as rich experience from the KRP's general elections, to assist the Iraqi Federal Government in their planning for the election next year 2025.
Dec. 8, 2024
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Security Council held an open briefing on December 6th, 2024, in New York city in the U.S., to discuss the Kurdistan Region state and bilateral relations with the central government, situation in Iraq, also Iraqi and Kuwait Governments pursue resolution of all outstanding issues between them regarding missing persons and Kuwait properties.
Read more: Security Council, 9803rd meeting: Situation concerning Iraq, Kurdistan Region
Commending the praiseworthy step made by the Kurdistan Regional Parliament (KRP) for holding the general elections on October 20th, 2024, beside the 5 permanent members of the Security Council, all other non- permanent highly valued the process for embracing the young voice as well as the astonishing female rate participation in the parliament that achieved beyond the legal merit rate which is more than 30%.
The U.S. Ambassador to the Security Council's and Council President for December, Robert Wood opened the session, and offered Dr. Mohamed al-Hassan, the Special Representative, Secretary General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) to present his part in the briefing.
Al-Hassan made a journey to Iraq that coincided the Kurdistan Regional parliamentary general elections in October 2024, during his journey he also paid visits to high-ranking official seniors in Kurdistan Region.
Read More: UN highlights milestones in Kurdistan Region following parliamentary elections
Each Security Council's members' delegate, on their behalf of their country, commended as well as applauded the successful parliamentary general election in Kurdistan Region (KR) which was held on October 20th, 2024.
UK, the key and permanent member of the UN Security Council, welcomed the KR's holding of the successful parliamentary elections, underscoring the whole process "serves an important expression of voice of Kurdish people from Kurdistan Region also continues the democratic legitimacy of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)"
By highlighting that the elections results have been certified, the representative passed on UK's wishes for a swift government formation process in Kurdistan Region.
In that meeting, UK delegate also asked the UNAMI to work closely with the Independent High Election Commission (IHEC), as the final year of its mandate, with the lessons learned as well as rich experience from the KRP's general elections, to assist the Iraqi Federal Government in their planning for the election next year.
Republic of China reaffirmed its support for enhancing dialogues as well as seeking sustainable solutions on outstanding issues between the Iraqi Federal and Kurdistan Regional governments, it also highly welcomed the KR on the successful completion of the parliamentary general elections.
The Russian Federation delegate made a remarkable statement about KRP elections as a test to the internal governmental organ and bodies political stability achieving, successful conducting and enhancement of capability of own governing.
Its representative also reiterated the support for Erbil-Baghdad dialogue, resolving any outstanding issues, enhancing security and fighting against terrorists.
Read More: "Our support for Erbil-Baghdad dialogue remains constant", says Russia's UN Ambassador
France, another permanent member at the Security Council, through its delegate stressed on Erbil-Baghdad relations, oil-exports and its revenues from Kurdistan Region (KR), applauded the general election describing it as legislative election "the voting represents a political milestone for KR and Iraq as a whole"
He also highlighted "the next step will be the establishment and constitution of regional government."
The Iraqi delegate highlighted the Iraqi support for dialogues between the central government and KRG, more progress relations occurred between the KRG and Federation government, shared revenues from oil-exports, population census, regional security, resolution regarding resuming the oil-exports from KR and Kirkuk file about preventing any further tensions,
The U.S. Ambassador to the Security Council, emphasized KRP's elections as an important milestone in Iraq’s continued progress toward stability and affirmed that the U.S. encourages UNAMI to provide further advice, support and technical assistance for Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission in support of Iraqi parliamentary elections next year 2025.
According to his statement, the U.S. provided new satellite images for the identification of four potential burial sites in Iraq, and therefore, it recommends the International Committee of the Red Cross and Iraq to carry out joint analyses and site investigations as soon as possible.
Further spotlights were made on corruption, personal status amendments as well as repercussions regarding the tensions in the region that have direct impacts on Iraqi stability, security, concerns about latest situation of Syria and its impacts on Iraq
Also, they urged the Governments of Iraq and Kuwait who pursue resolution for all the outstanding issues and ensure justice and accountability for victims of crimes against humanity committed by ISIS/Da’esh, including the genocide against the Yezidis and gender-based violence in Iraq.
The National Center for International Judicial Cooperation has been applauded by the U.S., and for its will to share evidence with third countries on a case-by-case basis, in purpose of getting ISIS' members held accountable for their crimes in Iraq and implement prosecutions.
All the members welcomed UN Transition planning and cooperation between UNAMI and Iraq and called on to happen smoothly.
Updated