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President Barzani, UNAMI chief discuss regional developments
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Thursday received Mohamed al-Hassan, head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), discussing the latest developments in the Middle East and Erbil-Baghdad ties.
'In the meeting, they discussed the political and general situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as cooperation and coordination between UNAMI and relevant parties in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. They also exchanged views on the latest developments in the Middle East and their impact and effects,' said a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
Barzani further thanked UNAMI for its support to Baghdad and Erbil over the years, reiterating the Kurdistan Region's readiness to support the mission until its completion.
UNAMI was established in August 2003 at the request of Iraq under the Security Council Resolution 1500 to support Baghdad's developmental efforts. Its mandate was extended annually.
While UNAMI does not directly implement developmental and humanitarian programs, it plays an advisory role in facilitating partnership and technical cooperation between the Iraqi government and the 20 UN agencies, funds, and programs operating in the country.
Their mission for Iraq is set to conclude on December 31, 2025.
During the meeting, both officials stressed that resolving issues between the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is 'necessary,' with the presidency saying their resolution 'is in the interest of all of Iraq and serves to maintain peace, stability, and the country's development.'
Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad intensified in late May when the federal finance ministry suspended all budget transfers to the KRG, including the salaries of more than 1.2 million public employees. The ministry cited the KRG's alleged overspending beyond its 12.67 percent share of the 2025 federal budget.
Kurdish political parties have strongly condemned the suspension, describing it as unconstitutional and politically driven.
Speaking at the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) Forum in Erbil in late October, UNAMI chief Mohamed al-Hassan remarked that the international mission is winding down in Iraq because the country no longer requires such a broad mandate and instead needs more targeted support from specialized agencies.
UNAMI's responsibilities in Iraq have included fostering political dialogue among Iraqi factions and between Iraq and its neighbors. The mission has also supported electoral logistics, monitored human rights conditions, and coordinated humanitarian aid in conflict-affected areas. Given these roles, some critics have warned that ending the mission could reduce international oversight, particularly during elections.
