Ghulam Isaczai, the UN coordinator for Iraq, briefed journalists in New York on the nation’s significant transformation following years of conflict. He detailed the transition from the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), which concluded its mandate in December, to a new phase of partnership with national authorities focused on development.
“For those who lived through the troubled early years of the transition, today Iraq is unrecognisable and remarkable,” Isaczai stated.
Poverty Reduction and Development
Mr. Isaczai emphasized that Iraq, heavily impacted by the 2003 invasion, now exhibits increased confidence in its institutions and is progressing towards greater stability. He reported a reduction in poverty from 20 percent in 2018 to 17.5 percent in 2024-2025. Preliminary data also suggests Iraq ranks highly on the Human Development Index, which assesses life expectancy, education, and living standards.
Furthermore, an improved security situation has facilitated the return of five million internally displaced people (IDPs) to their homes. Most remaining in camps face challenges related to housing or civil identification.
A notable milestone was the parliamentary elections held last year, which saw a 56 percent voter turnout, a 12 percent increase from the previous election. Approximately one-third of the candidates were women.
Shift to Development-Focused Cooperation
UNAMI was established in 2003 to support Iraq’s political transition after the fall of Saddam Hussein and subsequent turmoil, including the occupation of parts of the country by ISIL, defeated in December 2017. The mission’s mandate ended on December 31, 2025, but UN engagement continues under Mr. Isaczai’s leadership.
This new phase of cooperation is guided by a five-year development agreement signed with the Iraqi Government on December 25. The agreement outlines support for Iraq’s national priorities, including education, health, economic growth, environmental protection, and good governance.
Mr. Isaczai stated the UN’s current objective is to “support Iraq’s socio-economic needs but also to reinforce a lot of the work that was done in the past two decades.”
Iraq’s Transition to a Donor Nation
Highlighting the new cooperation agreement, Mr. Isaczai indicated that Iraq is expected to contribute to financing its implementation. “That shows increasing partnership and ownership by the Government of Iraq to become a donor after being a recipient for many years of humanitarian and development aid,” he remarked.
The UN Country Team in Iraq currently consists of 26 UN agencies, funds, and programmes.
