Security Council

6815^th Meeting (AM)

Security Council Adopts Resolution 2061 (2012), Extending Mandate

 

of United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq by 12 Months

 

The Security Council decided today to extend authorization for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) for 12 months, keeping the current mandate, but signalling its intention to review it during that period upon request by the country’s Government.

In a unanimous vote, the 15-member body adopted resolution 2061 (2012), calling on the Government of Iraq to continue to provide security and logistical support to UNAMI, and on Member States to continue to provide the Mission with sufficient resources.

Introducing the latest report on UNAMI to the Council on 19 July, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General said the role of the United Nations in Iraq was now “more important than ever”, as the country built on the progress of the past several years and faced challenges in governance, human rights and development.  (See Press Release SC/10716)

The meeting began at 10:13 a.m. and ended at 10:15 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 2061 (2012) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions on Iraq, in particular 1500 (2003), 1546 (2004), 1557 (2004), 1619 (2005), 1700 (2006), 1770 (2007), 1830 (2008), 1883 (2009), 1936 (2010), and 2001 (2011),

“Reaffirming the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq,

“Emphasizing the importance of the stability and security of Iraq for the people of Iraq, the region, and the international community,

“Encouraging the Government of Iraq to continue strengthening democracy and the rule of law, improving security and public order and combating terrorism and sectarian violence across the country, and reiterating its support to the people and the Government of Iraq in their efforts to build a secure, stable, federal, united and democratic nation, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights,

“Welcoming improvements in the security situation in Iraq achieved through concerted political and security efforts and stressing that challenges to security in Iraq still exist and that improvements need to be sustained through meaningful political dialogue and national unity,

“Underscoring the need for all communities in Iraq to participate in the political process and an inclusive political dialogue, to refrain from making statements and actions which could aggravate tensions, to reach a comprehensive solution on the distribution of resources, and to ensure stability and develop a just and fair solution for the nation’s disputed internal boundaries and work towards national unity,

“Reaffirming the importance of the United Nations, in particular the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), in advising, supporting and assisting the Iraqi people, including civil society, and Government to strengthen democratic institutions, advance inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation according to the Constitution, facilitate regional dialogue, develop processes acceptable to the Government of Iraq to resolve disputed internal boundaries, aid youth and vulnerable groups including refugees and internally displaced persons, promote the protection of human rights, gender equality, youth, and vulnerable groups, and promote judicial and legal reform, and emphasizing the importance of the United Nations, in particular UNAMI, prioritizing advice, support, and assistance to the Iraqi people, including civil society, and Government to achieve these goals,

“Urging the Government of Iraq to continue to promote and protect human rights and also to consider additional steps to support the Independent High Commission for Human Rights in carrying out its mandate,

“Recognizing the efforts of the Government of Iraq in the promotion and protection of the human rights of women and reaffirming its resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009) and 1960 (2010) on women, peace, and security and reiterating the need for the full, equal, and effective participation of women; reaffirming the key role women can play in re-establishing the fabric of society and stressing the need for their full political participation, including in the development of national strategies in order to take into account their perspectives,

“Expressing the importance of addressing humanitarian issues confronting the Iraqi people and stressing the need to continue to form a coordinated response and to provide adequate resources to address these issues,

“Underscoring the sovereignty of the Government of Iraq, reaffirming that all parties should continue to take all feasible steps and to develop modalities to ensure the protection of affected civilians, including children, women and members of religious and ethnic minority groups, and should create conditions conducive to the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons or local integration of internally displaced persons, welcoming commitments and encouraging continued efforts of the Government of Iraq for the relief of internally displaced persons, refugees and returnees, and noting the important role of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, based on its mandate, in providing continued advice and support to the Government of Iraq, in coordination with UNAMI on these issues,

“Urging all those concerned, as set forth in international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Regulations, to allow full unimpeded access by humanitarian personnel to all people in need of assistance, and to make available, as far as possible, all necessary facilities for their operations, and to promote the safety, security, and freedom of movement of humanitarian personnel and United Nations and its associated personnel and their assets,

“Welcoming the important progress Iraq has made towards regaining the international standing it held prior to the adoption of resolution 661 (1990), calling on the Government of Iraq to continue ongoing cooperation with the Government of Kuwait to address outstanding issues and to meet its outstanding obligations under the relevant Chapter VII Security Council resolutions pertaining to the situation between Iraq and Kuwait and underscoring the importance of finalizing the ratification of the Additional Protocol to its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement,

“Recognizing the recent positive developments in Iraqi-Kuwait bilateral relations, particularly in light of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s visit to Kuwait and Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad’s visit to Baghdad for the League of Arab States summit, as well as the positive outcome of the second session of the Joint Kuwait-Iraq Ministerial Committee, calling on both States to continue to act in a spirit that builds further confidence and cooperation, which should contribute to the strengthening of their good-neighbourly relations and enhancing regional stability,

“Expressing deep gratitude to all the United Nations staff in Iraq for their courageous and tireless efforts, and commending the leadership of the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, Martin Kobler,

“1.   Decides to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) for a period of 12 months;

“2.   Decides further that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UNAMI, at the request of the Government of Iraq, and taking into account the letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq to the Secretary-General (S/2012/520, annex), shall continue to pursue their mandate as stipulated in resolution 2001 (2011);

“3.   Recognizes that security of United Nations personnel is essential for UNAMI to carry out its work for the benefit of the people of Iraq and calls upon the Government of Iraq to continue to provide security and logistical support to the United Nations presence in Iraq;

“4.   Welcomes the contributions of Member States in providing UNAMI with the financial, logistical, and security resources and support that it needs to fulfil its mission and calls upon Member States to continue to provide UNAMI with sufficient resources and support;

“5.   Expresses its intention to review the mandate of UNAMI in 12 months or sooner, if requested by the Government of Iraq;

“6.   Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council every four months on the progress made towards the fulfilment of all UNAMI’s responsibilities;

“7.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.”

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For information media • not an official record