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Source: United Nations (video statements)

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq, Ghulam Isaczai, told journalists in New York that “the UN is not leaving Iraq,” and said its presence in in the country “is shifting from a more mission-led and also political orientation to more development focus.”

As the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI’s) concludes its work in the country, Isaczai noted that 25 UN agencies operate “to support Iraq’s development needs.”

He pointed out that Iraq recently signed a UN cooperation framework for the next five years, focusing “on four key pillars of economic reform, social protection and service delivery, environment and climate change, and also governance, human rights, and rule of law.”

Isaczai said, “Iraq has really done well in the last two years to maintain a balanced policy in terms of its relationship, both in the region but also with the West. And I think a lot of credit goes again to Iraq to not entangle itself in the regional tension. And I think they’ve done a good job.”

UNAMI, he said, “did what it could to help Iraq where it is,” adding that “the responsibility is now shifting to the government, in most cases, and also to the UN when it comes to residual humanitarian needs and development.”

The Resident Coordinator said, “we just have to prioritise now our engagement based on the government’s national priorities.”

Asked about the situation of the Yazidis displaced from northern Iraq, he said “we continue to advocate for the return of all IDPs,” adding that the government “needs to do more to facilitate the voluntary return.”

Isaczai expressed hope that “as Iraq is forming a new government, the new government will take this issue seriously.”

The UN, he said, “will continue to advocate for their return to their places of origin or solutions that will be more dignified and get them out of the current difficult situation they’re in.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEPVY5uFBKw

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
Venezuela
Syria
Lebanon/Israel
Yemen
Amanda Price
Guest Today
Briefing Tomorrow

VENEZUELA
The Secretary-General met with the Permanent Representative of Venezuela, Ambassador Samuel Moncada. 

During the meeting, the Secretary-General reiterated his publicly-stated position on the US military action in Venezuela.

He also expressed the availability of his good offices to support a possible inclusive national dialogue in Venezuela.

SYRIA
Turning to Syria, and in particular the developments in the northeast. The Secretary-General is alarmed by reports of civilian deaths and injuries following hostilities in Aleppo, Syria.

The United Nations reiterates that all parties have a clear obligation, under international humanitarian law, to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

We call on all actors to immediately de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint, and take all measures to prevent further harm to civilians.

The United Nations encourages all parties to demonstrate flexibility and goodwill, on both the military and political tracks, and promptly resume negotiations in order to fully implement the 10 March agreement.

LEBANON/ISRAEL
Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix continues his visit to the Middle East.

Today in Beirut, he met with senior Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef Rajji, and Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri. Discussions focused on UNIFIL’s support to the Lebanese authorities in sustaining the cessation of hostilities.

Mr. Lacroix also met with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, where they discussed the ongoing redeployment of the armed forces in the south and how UNIFIL can continue supporting implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.

Yesterday, Mr. Lacroix traveled to southern Lebanon, where he witnessed firsthand the extensive destruction left by the hostilities.

He urged all parties to respect the 2024 cessation of hostilities agreement, to enable civilians to return safely and allow UNIFIL to carry out its mandate.

And just to note that earlier this week, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis Plascheart, was in Israel, where she met with senior officials, including Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, as part of broader consultations related to the implementation of the November understanding and Security Council resolution 1701.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-01-07

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4mYqBIvk-w