S/2020/467 Security Council

In accordance with the procedure agreed upon by the members of the Security Council during the current extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and as set out in the letter dated 27 March 2020 from the President of the Security Council addressed to the members of the Council (S/2020/253), I would like to draw your attention to the following issue: The members of the Council have discussed a draft resolution, submitted by the United States of America, for the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq. That draft resolution has been put in blue (S/2020/449, see enclosure). With the understanding of the members of the Council, in my capacity as President of the Council, I shall put the above-mentioned draft resolution to a vote now. Please kindly provide your vote (in favour, against or abstention) on that draft resolution and possible explanation of vote by sending the Director of the Security Council Affairs Division of the Secretariat (egian@un.org) a letter signed by the Permanent Representative or Chargé d’affaires a.i. within the next non-extendable 24 hours. The process will then proceed accordingly, as agreed. It is my intention to circulate a letter listing the outcome of the vote within three hours of the conclusion of the 24-hour voting period. I also intend to convene a video-teleconference of the Security Council to announce the outcome of the vote shortly after the conclusion of the voting period, on the afternoon of Friday, 29 May 2020.

With the noteworthy political progress that has been made in Iraq, it is important that the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) continues to operate and discharge its mandate. We encourage sustained cooperation between UNAMI and the Government of Iraq, both of which have a shared ambition to promote the positive advancement of Iraq. To that end, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines welcomes the adoption of the draft resolution contained in document S/2020/449 for renewing UNAMI’s mandate. We recognize the unanimous adoption of the resolution as evidence of the Security Council’s commitment to the security and prosperity of Iraq and the Iraqi people. Despite the progress that has been made, we must not forget the many persistent challenges that necessitate the continuance of UNAMI’s support to the Iraqi authorities in their efforts towards inclusive dialogue, reconciliation and reconstruction. In this regard, we reiterate that UNAMI must continue to respect Iraq’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence. We also reiterate our support to Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and her team and recognize their continued dedication to the people of Iraq in line with their mandate.