Statement by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador João Genésio de Almeida Filho, on Iraq - May 18th, 2023

I thank the Special Representative for Iraq for her briefing. I welcome the Iraqi delegation to this meeting. And I also thank the presentation by the representative of the civil society.

Madam President,

Twenty years ago, the Council convened at the request of the Non-Aligned Movement to discuss the situation in Iraq, in the aftermath of the invasion. That was a meeting in which Brazil participated. At that occasion, the Brazilian delegation deplored the fact that a peaceful solution to the situation in Iraq was not given a chance. We also warned about risks to the Council's authority caused by a departure from the rules of our UN collective security system.

We correctly pointed out that the situation had acquired a dimension that would go beyond the conflict itself and could have adverse and long-standing effects on the work of the United Nations. And so it has, with all its profound legal and political implications. It is worth noting that this happened in a moment when the international community was filled with hope and trust in a new order with a strong and vibrant United Nations. In fact, 2003 would go down as a very low point in our collective history.

The situation in Iraq was such that the UN could not avoid going in to provide assistance to the population and to help organize elections in the shortest possible timeframe. By doing that, the UN was perceived, unfortunately, as supporting the military operation and became itself a target. A mere five months after the invasion, we lost Sergio Vieira de Mello and 21 members of his team, in a heinous bomb attack against the UN headquarters in Baghdad.

For the past twenty years, the UN presence in Iraq has attemped to restore peace and stability in the country, to the best of its ability, since the collapse of the country's institutions brought about in 2003. Now, we believe, it's time for a realistic assessment of what is yet to be accomplished.

In the negotiations on the renewal of the mandate of UNAMI, we should not lose sight that the request by the host country constitutes an indispensable condition for our ability to lend support to Iraq. Besides, it provides the answer as to what needs and priorities, as identified by the requesting State, the United Nations should be supporting. Ultimately, in keeping with the Council`s authority under the UN Charter, the continuation of the UN presence in Iraq should aim at the complete devolution to Iraqis of control over all aspects of the country's life. This would bring Iraq closer to realizing its full potential as a sovereign and independent nation. In our view, that objective is better served by a focus on measures that can actively support political dialogue, national reconciliation, security sector reform, as well as the Iraqi people's ownership over their political system and institutions. We see in a positive light the proposal for an assessment of current threats to Iraq’s peace and security, which can provide recommendations for UNAMI's mandate.

Achieving stability and sustainable peace in Iraq will only be possible if the root causes of violence, including violent extremism, are addressed. Promoting the economic development and well-being of the people in Iraq should be emphasized as a key instrument in countering terrorism. The threat posed by Da`esh in Iraq cannot be eradicated only through sanctions and individual accountability mechanisms. Socioeconomic factors, including the sentiment of injustice felt by marginalized populations, must be taken into account.

Countering terrorism in Iraq also requires cooperation among States. Brazil reiterates that there can be no legitimate right to self-defense against the territory of any State, unless in response to an actual armed attack attributable to that State.

Finally, as highlighted by the latest report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 2631, Brazil commends governmental efforts to resolve outstanding issues in the relations between the federal government and the government of the Kurdistan Region, including regarding the management of oil revenues. We underscore the importance of mutual understanding and cooperation among governmental entities, bearing in mind Iraq's right to development and the permanent sovereignty of the Iraqi people over its natural resources.

And I thank you.