Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani received UN Secretary General António Guterres on Saturday, as he said that Iraq emerged victorious over terrorism thanks to the sacrifices of its people.
In a joint press conference with Guterres in Baghdad, Al-Sudani said the last parliamentary elections were “the most organized.”
He hailed the UN over its role in Iraq, noting that the culmination of UN Assistance Mission in Iraq’s (UNAMI) mandate does not mean the end of UN-Iraq cooperation.
“We look forward to establishing relations with the United Nations based on the foundations of partnership,” Al-Sudani said in the conference with the UN chief.
The Iraqi premier officially requested in May that the UN conclude UNAMI’s mission in Iraq by December 2025.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, in a press conference with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, said: “We value the UN Secretary-General’s positions in support of Iraq,”, noting the conclusion of the UNAMI mission does not mean the end of the partnership with… pic.twitter.com/OLMTRS5MY3
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For his part, Guterres said that “Iraq is a land of civilization, history, and humanity, and we have witnessed its courage, steadfastness, and determination in overcoming terrorism, foreign interference, and sectarianism.”
“UNAMI’s mission in Iraq helped in reconstruction after decades of war, and our goal was to support Iraq in its efforts to restore stability,” the UN S.G. continued.
“With the closure of the mission, there will remain vital human development agencies, and we stand with Iraq to build a prosperous and stable country.”
“It is good to be in Baghdad once again.”@antonioguterres discussed with Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al Sudani a number of issues, including the closing of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq @UNIraq.https://t.co/cWZXbJEUmJ pic.twitter.com/CxRJG7EUOm
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) December 13, 2025
Guterres arrived in Baghdad on Saturday. Following a brief delay due to poor weather conditions, Guterres landed in Baghdad in the afternoon, where he was received at the airport by Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.
The Iraqi top diplomat stressed his government’s appreciation “for the role played by the United Nations and UNAMI in supporting Iraq during the previous stages,” according to a statement by the Iraqi foreign ministry.
Source: Agencies (translated and edited by Al-Manar)