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From the United Nations:

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has announced the appointment of Mohamed al Hassan of Oman as his new Special Representative for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

He succeeds Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert of the Netherlands, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her commitment and leadership of UNAMI.

Mr. Al Hassan brings to the position a broad range of diplomatic experience with a career spanning over 30 years working on preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding and development.  Most recently, he has served as the Permanent Representative of Oman to the United Nations in New York since 2019.  Prior to that, he held various assignments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Muscat, including Acting Undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs (2016), Chief of Staff (2015) and Head of the Minister's Department (2012).

Among various senior-level positions, Mr. Al Hassan served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Oman to the Russian Federation and concurrently as non-resident Ambassador to Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia and the Republic of Moldova.  Mr. Al Hassan also previously held the position of Deputy Permanent Representative of Oman to the United Nations in New York.  Prior to this, he was Deputy Permanent Representative of Oman to the United Nations in Geneva.

Mr. Al Hassan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Washington in Seattle, United States, a Master of Science degree in international relations from St. John's University in New York, and a PhD in economics from Moscow State University of Economics, Statistics and Informatics in the Russian Federation.  He speaks Arabic, English, Norwegian and Russian.

(Source: UN)

By John Lee.

Iraq's Minister of Industry and Minerals, Dr. Khaled Battal Al-Najm, met with Russian Minister of Trade and Industry, Anton Alikhanov, on the sidelines of the International Industrial Exhibition in Russia.

Held annually since 2010, the International Industrial Exhibition is the main industrial, trade, and export platform in Russia. It is organised by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia and the government of the Sverdlovsk Region.

The discussion focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the industrial sector and exploring investment projects for mutual benefit.

Minister Al-Najm also participated in a panel discussion with the ministers of trade and industry from Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The session, centered on enhancing global competitiveness and ensuring digital transformation for national economies within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, addressed topics such as increasing interaction among SCO countries, attracting investors, exploring project implementation opportunities, and sharing expertise in establishing industrial zones and commercial-industrial clusters.

(Sources: Iraqi Ministry of Industry and Minerals; Govt of the Russian Federation)

By John Lee.

Iraqi Airways General Manager, Engineer Manaf Abdul Munim, announced today that direct flights between Iraq and Russia will resume on 16th July.

According to a statement from Iraq's Ministry of Transport, this decision aligns with directives from the Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhibis Al-Saadawi, recognizing the route's importance for the Iraqi community in Russia.

Initially, there will be two weekly flights from Baghdad to Moscow, operating on Saturdays and Tuesdays, with the potential for additional flights based on demand assessment.

(Source: Ministry of Transport)

By John Lee.

Iraq has been named as the world's third biggest flarer of gas in 2023.

According to the World Bank's Global Gas Flaring Tracker, the worst offender was Russia, followed by Iran, with Iraq in third place. The USA was in fourth place, followed by Venezuela and Algeria.

The full report can be downloaded here.

(Source: World Bank)

By John Lee.

The Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) has reported that Iraqis ranked fifth among the countries that purchased Turkish real estate in May.

Iraqis bought 98 houses in Turkiye in May, putting them behind Russians (437), Iranians (207), Ukrainians (171) and Germans (104).

According to Shafaq News Agency, Iraqis had topped the list from 2015 to 2021.

Click here to view the full report.

(Sources: TurkStat; Shafaq)

By John Lee.

Iraq has appointed a new Ambassador to Russia.

Mr Haider Mansour Al Athari (pictured), assumed his duties on Monday, 3rd June.

Iraq Business News understands that Mr Athari has previously served as Ambassador to Jordan, and more recently as Head of the Europe Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

By John Lee.

Turkiye's exports of citrus exports to Iraq have reportedly jumped 399 percent in the period January to April.

According to Turkish news agency Daily Sabah, Iraq was Turkiye's second biggest market (after Russia) for citrus fruit, with sales of $90.2 million.

Included in this figure were:

• Tangerines: $32 million - an increase of 659 percent;
• Lemons: $33.4 million - an increase of 181 percent;
• Oranges: $23.3 million - an increase of 1,300 percent.

More here.

(Source: Daily Sabah)

By John Lee.

The United Nations Security Council, at its 9642nd meeting on 31st May 2024, decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq [UNAMI] for a final 19-month period until 31 December 2025, unanimously adopting Resolution 2732 (2024).

The Iraqi Government welcomed the resolution terminating the mandate, and expressed Iraq's appreciation for the efforts of the United Nations. "We take this opportunity to emphasize the continuation of sustainable cooperation and partnership with the United Nations and its development programs operating in Iraq," said a government statement.

Text of the Security Council statement:

The Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) today for a final 19 month-period until 31 December 2025, after which UNAMI will cease all work and operations except with respect to any remaining liquidation of the Mission.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2732 (2024) (to be issued as document S/RES/2732(2024)), the Council requested that the Secretary-General prepare, in consultation with the Government of Iraq, a transition and liquidation plan to be completed by 31 December for UNAMI to start the transfer of its tasks, as well as the orderly and safe drawdown and withdrawal of its personnel and assets, including identification of an end date for liquidation activities in the country.

The 15-member organ also called on Iraq's Government to cooperate fully with the UN during UNAMI's transition, drawdown and liquidation. Further, it commended the Government's efforts to settle internal issues in Iraq and to make progress towards achieving the milestones set out in the Government's programme and priorities, including the holding of Iraqi Council of Representatives and Iraqi Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections in due course and other priorities set forth in the resolution.

Taking the floor following the adoption, the representative of the United States, the penholder on Iraq, said:  "It is particularly important that the mandate recognizes the role that UNAMI can play in providing technical support for elections, promoting and protecting human rights and facilitating engagement between Iraq and Kuwait to resolve outstanding issues."  Noting Iraq's dramatic change in recent years and the consequent need to realign the Mission, he said:  "Iraq and UNAMI have much to be proud of."  Council members will continue to monitor further progress towards achieving important milestones in the Secretary-General's forthcoming reports and recommendations, he added.

The Russian Federation's delegate said most important is that the United States, as file penholder, has taken into account Iraq's priorities.  The Mission's mandate will be limited to assisting national efforts in areas that Baghdad considers most important.  In the 20 years since it was established, UNAMI has fully realized its potential to help restore Iraqi statehood, and now the people of Iraq are ready to assume full responsibility for the country's political future, she said, voicing firm support for the country's sovereignty and opposition to any interference in its internal affairs.

The representative of the United Kingdom also highlighted UNAMI's significant contribution to Iraq over the past 20 years.  She welcomed that the adopted resolution prioritizes support for electoral assistance, women's political participation and human rights during the transition period. Additionally, it allows progress on Kuwaiti missing persons to be realized during the transition, she said.

The representative of China expressed hope that the Secretary-General will prepare a practical transition plan in consultation with Iraq's Government so that the Mission can complete its withdrawal in a phased, safe, orderly and timely manner.  Echoing other delegations, he encouraged UNAMI to communicate closely with Iraq's Government to ensure a smooth transition and bring its work to a conclusion.

"A new chapter is opening now for Iraq," said the representative of France.  The liquidation must be done in close coordination between Iraq and the UN team, she emphasized, encouraging Iraq to coordinate with the team to ensure a fluid transition. The Council must continue to pay great attention to the issue of missing Kuwaiti people and property, including Kuwait's national archives, which is an important part of UNAMI's work, as provided for in resolution 2107 (2013), she added.

The representative of Guyana, speaking also on behalf of Algeria, Mozambique and Sierra Leone, said the resolution charts a new course for the United Nations' presence and engagement in Iraq as it continues on its path of recovery, reconstruction and democratic consolidation.  Their delegations will continue to encourage regional dialogue and cooperation to support Iraq's long-term stability and prosperity.  "The constructive engagement from all Council members has been vital in reaching this unanimous decision and paves the way for its effective implementation," she concluded.

See full text of Resolution 2732 (2024) here.

(Source: UN, PMO)

By Simon Watkins for the OilPrice.com. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

Iraq Looks To Finish Phase 1 of CSSP Oil Megaproject by 2028

On the face of it, there is no good reason why Iraq cannot become one of the world's top three producers, even taking the number two spot ahead of Russia and then Saudi Arabia.

According to local Iraqi news sources the first phase of the delayed CSSP oil project is expected to be operational by 2028.

Endemic corruption in Iraq has kept the country from completing major infrastructure projects.

Click here to read the full report.

By Simon Watkins for the OilPrice.com. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

Why Iraq Just Awarded A Strategically Vital Gas Field To A Ukrainian Firm

Russia-aligned Iraq has awarded the development of a crucial gas field to a Ukrainian firm.

The importance of the Akkas gas field for Russia, Iran, and China can barely be overstated.

Click here to read the full report.