Oman’s representative appointed as head of UN’s Iraq mission

THE UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations on Monday appointed Dr Mohammed bin Awad al Hassan, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations, as Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) making him the first Arab to be appointed to this position.

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) is a special political mission established in 2003 by UN Security Council Resolution 1500, at the request of the Government of Iraq. The Mission has been operational ever since, and its role was greatly expanded in 2007 with the adoption of Resolution 1770.

UNAMI’s mandate is to prioritise the provision of advice, support, and assistance to the Government and people of Iraq on advancing inclusive, political dialogue and national and community-level reconciliation; assisting in the electoral process; facilitating regional dialogue between Iraq and its neighbours; and promoting the protection of human rights and judicial and legal reforms.

The Mission is also mandated to work with government partners and civil society to coordinate the humanitarian and development efforts of the UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes. While UNAMI itself does not deliver humanitarian and development programmes, it raises the profile of development and humanitarian issues in Iraq and connects Iraqi partners – both the Government and civil society organisations – with the technical expertise available within the UN family in Iraq. — ONA with agencies