Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, began the meeting with a briefing on the current situation. In Iraq, the government is incomplete and in a one month recess as a result of multiple boycotts or protests against the prime minister, Adil Abdul-Mahdi. Hennis-Plasschaert reminds all delegates that political cooperation is the only solution for this issue, and emphasizes that there are many women that are qualified to take roles to complete the government. The importance of oil and governmental funding in the Kurdistan Region for resources as well as regional and international developments were touched upon. This lead back to the emphasis of political cooperation as the most feasible solution.

The delegate from Kuwait highlights the 23rd anniversary of Kuwait separating itself from the Iraqi aggression and focuses on humanitarian issues behind the people of Kuwait. Efforts and implementations of plans and programs must be supported to uncover the missing Kuwaiti persons as well as the release of the detained. The following delegates all echoed the importance of UNAMI aid in various sectors giving support to the Iraqi government to solve new challenges in order to develop as a country. Terrorists should be brought to justice in accordance to international and national laws within Iraq. The meeting closed with the delegate of Iraq stating that the government is looking to increase female representation within the government and to protect women from gender-based harassment. The delegate also stated that the country wishes contain the threat of weapons of mass destruction as well as strengthen the educational and emotional health system.

Meeting: Meeting 8462 The Situation Concerning Iraq

Date/Location: 13 February 2019, Security Council Chamber

Speakers: Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert (head of UNAMI), Kuwait, Indonesia, China, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq

Written By: WIT Representative Jessica Shi