UN Mission in Iraq Ends on December 31st: What's Next for the Country?

The United Nations is ending its 22-year mission in Iraq on December 31, marking a major shift in how the international community engages with the country. The UN says Iraq is now ready to lead its own path forward, moving from post-conflict support to a standard development partnership.

Mohamed Al-Hassan, the UN Secretary-General's special representative in Iraq and head of the UNAMI mission, delivered his final briefing to the UN Security Council before the mission officially closes. He called it "a great day for the international community" that shows how a UN mission can end successfully.

UNAMI was established in 2003 during one of Iraq's most turbulent periods. The country was dealing with internal conflict, wars, and terrorism attacks that made basic governance extremely difficult. The mission helped Iraq rebuild its political institutions and navigate through years of sectarian violence and the rise of ISIS.

But Al-Hassan made it clear this isn't the UN pulling out of Iraq completely. The organization is shifting to what it calls a "country team" approach. This means focusing on economic development, climate change adaptation, human rights, and programs for women, young people, and minorities.

For Iraq, this transition signals international recognition that the country has stabilized enough to manage its own affairs. The government has been pushing for more sovereignty over its internal matters, and this move aligns with that goal.

The timing matters for regional stability too. Iraq sits between Iran and the Arab world, and its ability to function independently could help reduce tensions in an already volatile region. A stable Iraq that doesn't need international peacekeeping support is better for everyone involved.

Al-Hassan thanked both the Iraqi government and international supporters who backed the mission through more than two decades of challenges. The transition shows how international interventions can actually end - something that doesn't happen very often in modern conflicts.