Regional and international developments
18. The reporting period witnessed progress in Iraq’s efforts at reintegration into the regional and international economy. The European Union and Iraq concluded a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement on 13 November in order to provide the framework for contractual relations between the European Union and Iraq in trade and economic development. On 23 November the Iraqi Council of Representatives adopted an amendment to its National Investment Law to allow foreigners to own land for housing projects, to speed up the process of applying for investment licenses and to clarify federal and provincial powers with regard to investors.
20. While some initial positive results were achieved during the last reporting period, as outlined in my report (S/2009/539), no further progress has been made in the recovery of Kuwaiti missing persons or property. During his visit to Kuwait from 11 to 15 January 2010, my High-level Coordinator, Gennady Tarasov, reiterated to Iraqi and Kuwaiti officials the need to achieve practical results in this regard. I would like to renew my call on both countries to redouble their efforts in the coming months to achieve visible and significant progress in the search for missing Kuwaiti persons and property, including Kuwaiti archives. I also welcome the decision by the Kuwaiti Council of Ministers to contribute US$ 974,000 t[/size]o a project sponsored by UNAMI and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) aimed at enhancing the capacity of the Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights in mass grave excavation and the identification of missing persons. It is encouraging that the Iraqi Minister for Human Rights has concurred with this approach.
21. On 18 January, the Foreign Minister of Iraq wrote to the Security Council on the measures that the Government of Iraq intends to take to demonstrate and confirm to the international community the extent of its commitment to non-proliferation. He expressed his hope that the Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency will acknowledge these measures and the changes that have taken place in Iraq since the adoption of Security Council resolutions on Iraq pertaining to disarmament.
22. From 26 to 28 January, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General visited Kuwait to discuss the UNAMI mandate to promote regional cooperation. These meetings included the Prime Minister, Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah; the Speaker of the Kuwaiti Parliament, Jassem al-Kharafi; and the Chairman of the National Committee for Missing Persons and Prisoners of War Affairs, Ibraheem al-Shaheen. Prior to the visit, the Special Representative met with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Iraq to discuss outstanding issues between Iraq and Kuwait, in connection with relevant provisions of Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.
Humanitarian assistance, reconstruction and development
31. My newly appointed Deputy Special Representative/Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Christine McNab, undertook a series of key meetings with the Government of Iraq, including the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the Minister of Planning, as well as with international partners in Iraq and the region, to discuss the role of the United Nations and the support it will provide in the areas of development, reconstruction and relief assistance.
32. On 26 October 2009, the United Nations country team finalized the first ever United Nations/Government of Iraq common country assessment for Iraq, which was endorsed by the Minister of Planning. The common country assessment provides an analytical basis necessary to support the formulation of evidence-based policy that will ensure both the successful delivery and quality of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). In particular, the final report identified key development challenges facing Iraq as it seeks to achieve stability and growth, with a focus on the primary themes of governance, inclusive economic growth and quality essential services such as health, water and sanitation, shelter and education.
35. The meeting of the Donor Committee of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq was held in Baghdad on 8 November 2009. The United Nations Development Group Iraq Trust Fund reported total donor deposits of $1.35 billion, with $1.25 billion approved and transferred for a total of 165 projects. The balance of funds is $135.63 million. The Donor Committee also extended the deadline for programming the remaining funds to 30 June 2010. Participants expressed their support for the independent lessons learned exercise to be undertaken by the United Nations jointly with the World Bank, in cooperation with the Government of Iraq and donor partners in January 2010. The establishment of a new multi-donor trust fund for Iraq was also discussed.
18. The reporting period witnessed progress in Iraq’s efforts at reintegration into the regional and international economy. The European Union and Iraq concluded a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement on 13 November in order to provide the framework for contractual relations between the European Union and Iraq in trade and economic development. On 23 November the Iraqi Council of Representatives adopted an amendment to its National Investment Law to allow foreigners to own land for housing projects, to speed up the process of applying for investment licenses and to clarify federal and provincial powers with regard to investors.
20. While some initial positive results were achieved during the last reporting period, as outlined in my report (S/2009/539), no further progress has been made in the recovery of Kuwaiti missing persons or property. During his visit to Kuwait from 11 to 15 January 2010, my High-level Coordinator, Gennady Tarasov, reiterated to Iraqi and Kuwaiti officials the need to achieve practical results in this regard. I would like to renew my call on both countries to redouble their efforts in the coming months to achieve visible and significant progress in the search for missing Kuwaiti persons and property, including Kuwaiti archives. I also welcome the decision by the Kuwaiti Council of Ministers to contribute US$ 974,000 t[/size]o a project sponsored by UNAMI and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) aimed at enhancing the capacity of the Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights in mass grave excavation and the identification of missing persons. It is encouraging that the Iraqi Minister for Human Rights has concurred with this approach.
21. On 18 January, the Foreign Minister of Iraq wrote to the Security Council on the measures that the Government of Iraq intends to take to demonstrate and confirm to the international community the extent of its commitment to non-proliferation. He expressed his hope that the Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency will acknowledge these measures and the changes that have taken place in Iraq since the adoption of Security Council resolutions on Iraq pertaining to disarmament.
22. From 26 to 28 January, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General visited Kuwait to discuss the UNAMI mandate to promote regional cooperation. These meetings included the Prime Minister, Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah; the Speaker of the Kuwaiti Parliament, Jassem al-Kharafi; and the Chairman of the National Committee for Missing Persons and Prisoners of War Affairs, Ibraheem al-Shaheen. Prior to the visit, the Special Representative met with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Iraq to discuss outstanding issues between Iraq and Kuwait, in connection with relevant provisions of Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.
Humanitarian assistance, reconstruction and development
31. My newly appointed Deputy Special Representative/Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Christine McNab, undertook a series of key meetings with the Government of Iraq, including the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the Minister of Planning, as well as with international partners in Iraq and the region, to discuss the role of the United Nations and the support it will provide in the areas of development, reconstruction and relief assistance.
32. On 26 October 2009, the United Nations country team finalized the first ever United Nations/Government of Iraq common country assessment for Iraq, which was endorsed by the Minister of Planning. The common country assessment provides an analytical basis necessary to support the formulation of evidence-based policy that will ensure both the successful delivery and quality of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). In particular, the final report identified key development challenges facing Iraq as it seeks to achieve stability and growth, with a focus on the primary themes of governance, inclusive economic growth and quality essential services such as health, water and sanitation, shelter and education.
35. The meeting of the Donor Committee of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq was held in Baghdad on 8 November 2009. The United Nations Development Group Iraq Trust Fund reported total donor deposits of $1.35 billion, with $1.25 billion approved and transferred for a total of 165 projects. The balance of funds is $135.63 million. The Donor Committee also extended the deadline for programming the remaining funds to 30 June 2010. Participants expressed their support for the independent lessons learned exercise to be undertaken by the United Nations jointly with the World Bank, in cooperation with the Government of Iraq and donor partners in January 2010. The establishment of a new multi-donor trust fund for Iraq was also discussed.