"IRAQ"

UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council that he invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter because we are “at a breaking point,” warning that there is a high risk of the total collapse of the humanitarian support system in Gaza, which would have devastating consequences. UNIFEED

The Special Advisor and Head of the Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh / ISIL – otherwise known as UNITAD – Christian Ritscher, in his briefing to the Security Council said, “ISIL perpetrators who committed heinous mass atrocities against Iraqi citizens must not remain unpunished wherever they try to hide.” UNIFEED

The Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, Najat Rochdi, told Security Council members that there is an urgent need for de-escalation in Syria and across the region, and that all actors – Syrian and non-Syrian – must exercise maximum restraint. UNIFEED

Briefing reporters on the situation in Gaza, Secretary-General António Guterres said, “The way forward is clear. A humanitarian ceasefire. Now. All parties respecting all their obligations under international humanitarian law. Now.” UNIFEED

The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, said that long-awaited reforms in the banking and finance sectors are now underway, adding that the Iraqi parliament adopted the Federal Budget Law, which represents the highest proportionate allocation to the delivery of social services yet. UNIFEED

The situation concerning Iraq - Security Council, 9432nd meeting.

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “As the northern hemisphere winter approaches, we continue to see concerning trends for COVID-19. Among the relatively few countries that report them, both hospitalizations and ICU admissions have increased in the past 28 days, particularly in the Americas and Europe.” WHO

Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the principles of international law, stressing Iraq’s “determination to establish the best of ties with everyone,” especially with its neighbors. UNIFEED

Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, addresses the general debate of the 78th Session of the General Assembly of the UN (New York, 19 - 23 and 26 September 2023).