In Iraq, the United Nations is navigating a significant transition, reflecting both the country’s evolving priorities and the UN’s need to remain relevant and effective. After decades of conflict, Iraq has made tangible progress: nearly five million internally displaced people have returned home, economic activity is recovering, state institutions are regaining confidence, and the country is re-engaging with its neighbors. While these gains remain fragile, they signal a shift that demands a different kind of international partnership.
As humanitarian needs decline and the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) concluded in 2025, the UN is moving from a mission-led presence toward a development-focused partnership aligned with Iraq’s national priorities. This transition has required careful sequencing, trust, and coordination with both the Iraqi government and the UN system, ensuring that humanitarian support is responsibly scaled down without compromising essential services or human well-being.
The UN Country Team is increasingly operating as a unified entity, integrating humanitarian action, development cooperation, and peacebuilding under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. This framework sets priorities in economic diversification, social protection, climate and water resilience, governance, human rights, and the rule of law, reflecting a strategic shift toward long-term development goals.
Leadership plays a central role in this transformation, with the Resident Coordinator bridging the humanitarian, development, and peace pillars to maintain continuity and coherence. Financing is also being realigned toward more predictable and sustainable mechanisms, engaging international financial institutions, development banks, and the private sector. The government’s willingness to pool resources under the Cooperation Framework signals growing confidence in a coordinated and accountable UN Country Team.
The new approach is already showing results. Social protection agencies are united under a single, nationally led strategy, and climate action is supported through joint advisory platforms that involve the government, UN, and donors. Efforts in sensitive areas, such as durable solutions for displaced populations and returns from Al-Hol camp, have shifted from fragmented initiatives to a nationally led, One UN approach.
The UN’s role is evolving from decades of service delivery toward providing high-quality policy advice and technical assistance to sustain long-term gains. Greater integration across UN agencies has also generated around $10 million in operational savings, resources that can now be reinvested into development priorities.
Challenges remain, including uncertain financing, variable capacities, and risks of backsliding. Yet Iraq’s transition demonstrates the potential of leadership, trust, and coordinated purpose. At this pivotal moment, the UN is moving decisively from a focus on stability to an emphasis on sustainable development, adapting its approach to support Iraq’s future growth and resilience.
