The United Nations has worked against an extremely challenging backdrop of ongoing violence and insecurity in Iraq to play a leading role in assisting the country through its post-war political transition. As the lead UN department on Iraq, DPA supports the Secretary-General in all Iraq-related matters as well as his Special Representative and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) based in Baghdad and other locations.

The UN support role is established by Security Council Resolution of 1770 of 2007, and is carried on the ground by UNAMI under the leadership of Staffan de Mistura, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq. The SRSG works to promote national dialogue and reconciliation through an inclusive, participatory and transparent political process that responds to the legitimate interests and needs of all Iraqis. He is constant contact with Iraqi authorities and leaders from all segments of society, as well as with representatives of countries around the region and the wider international community.

The United Nations, through the Electoral Assistance Division of DPA and UNAMI, played a leading support role in the successful conduct of the January 2005 elections for the Transitional National Assembly, the October 2005 referendum on Iraq’s new constitution, and the December 2005 elections for Iraq’s Parliament, the Council of Representatives (CoR). The UN electoral team provided logistical, financial and technical assistance to the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, and also coordinated international electoral support. The United Nations is currently assisting the CoR and the Government in establishing a professional and independent permanent electoral commission.

The United Nations also played an important support role in the drafting of a new Iraqi constitution, assisting the Transitional National Assembly on substantive and procedural aspects of the constitution-making process. UNAMI helped to promote dialogue aimed at building consensus behind the constitution, provided training and technical support, and worked to expand public outreach and coordinate donor assistance. UNAMI is currently supporting the CoR in the constitutional review process and the implementation of the constitution.

The United Nations also provides assistance and expertise on human rights. UNAMI is working with Iraqi ministries, judicial institutions and civil society to promote the establishment of a strong human right protection system, including a national human rights commission. The mission also issues a bi-monthly report on the human rights situation.

The United Nations is also lending a hand in humanitarian, reconstruction and development efforts in Iraq, with the view of bettering living conditions and economic opportunities for all Iraqis. UN Programmes, Funds and Agencies have worked together to improve the quality of life in critical areas such as health, education, water and sanitation – and to assist vulnerable populations including internally displaced persons, refugees, and returnees. UNAMI is also helping to strengthen Iraqi ministries and institutions, as well as coordinating UN humanitarian programmes and the financial assistance of the international donor community. The International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI), managed by the UN Development Group, has provided donors with a mechanism to support priorities identified jointly by the Iraq Government and the United Nations. By the end of 2006, over US$1 billion in aid had been provided to Iraq through IRFFI.

UN support for economic development and reconstruction is also being provided through the International Compact with Iraq (the Compact), which was launched in 2006 as an initiative of the Government of Iraq for a new partnership with the international community. Jointly chaired by the Government of the Republic of Iraq and the United Nations, with the support of the World Bank, the Compact aims over the next five years bring together the international community and multilateral organizations to help Iraq achieve its National Vision, according to clearly defined priorities, benchmarks and mutual commitments.