Position paper for Iraq
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours |
| Paper text: | |
| The international community now faces a growing need to address the dangers posed by the misuse and weaponization of outer space. As outer space becomes increasingly accessible, the dangers of debris, conflict, and irresponsible behavior threaten the sustainability and safety of our shared domain. The Republic of Iraq recognizes that outer space is and must remain a peaceful and cooperative environment for all of mankind. As a signatory of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 and an active supporter of the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, the Republic of Iraq believes strongly in the development and use of outer space solely for educational, civilian, and scientific purposes. The Republic of Iraq aligns with the Non-Aligned Movement in that the prevention of an arms race in outer space should be emphasized and is essential in maintaining international peace and security. In the interest of cooperation and global stability, the Republic of Iraq supports the establishment of clear international norms and confidence building transparency among all spacefaring nations. The Republic of Iraq encourages discussion on the creation of binding frameworks to prevent deployment and use of weapons and other hostile activities in outer space. The Republic of Iraq also believes that developing nations should be granted fair access to space technology for peaceful use and sustainable growth. By fostering mutual trust, sharing data on space activities, and ensuring accountability, the Republic of Iraq remains committed to keeping space a peaceful, secure, and shared domain for all. | |
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects |
| Paper text: | |
| The Republic of Iraq is firmly committed to reducing the number of illicit small arms and light weapons, as demonstrated through our efforts both within and outside of the UN. The illegal transfer of these weapons has undermined peace efforts and disproportionally impacted those already affected by conflict in the region. In 2024, the Republic of Iraq created the weapon buyback program to offer financial incentives for Iraqi citizens to surrender any unlicensed firearms they possess, which aligns with goals of reducing the number of weapons that circulate illegally within Iraq. The Republic of Iraq prioritizes efforts such as these programs to defend against the use of illegal firearms by terrorist and criminal organizations operating within the region, particularly those who target unarmed Iraqi citizens. The Republic of Iraq collaborates with the Firearms Trafficking Section on implementing the United Nations Office of Drug Controlâs updated strategy for curbing firearms trafficking and other related crimes. In response to the Western Asia region rising to have the worldâs most pervasive arms market, the Republic of Iraq has continued to assist and support the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) in its efforts related to security and documenting crimes of terrorist organizations, particularly the Daâesh, also known as the âIslamic Stateâ. Ultimately, the Republic of Iraq maintains it is imperative that UN member states cooperate on creating a system to combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence |
| Paper text: | |
| The United Nations role in promoting development in the context of interdependence
and globalization is truly admirable and will have a profound impact on the global stage in
the years moving forward. The Republic of Iraq is actively engaged in the United Nations
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a bold and courageous global partnership to
improve health, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth. The Republic of Iraq is a
prime candidate for successful implementation of these measures as it strives to achieve
the Sustainable Development Goals under Iraq Vision 2030.
Notably, the Republic of Iraq is one of the most oil dependent countries in the world. According to the World Bank Group, Oil Revenues have accounted for over 99% of Exports, 85% of the governmentâs budget and 42% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Republic of Iraq is fully committed to economic diversification to end oil reliance both for economic and environmental purposes. Additionally, the Republic of Iraqâs economy has seen growth as our population grows and the demand for labor grows, with Logic Consulting going so far as to refer to Baghdad as âThe world' s surprise boomtownâ. This human development is key, and the Republic of Iraq believes this is worthy of partnership and investment. The Republic of Iraq fundamentally contends that with economic diversification and increased privatization, coupled with our full-fledged commitment to supporting the United Nationâs Development goals, Iraq can effectively benefit from the fruits of globalization and interdependence. The Republic of Iraq accepts a leadership role and eagerly participates in global initiatives and agendas put forth by the United Nations, with the hopes that it can be a key partner in these projects moving forward. The Republic of Iraq continues to be actively engaged in UN agency activities in the country and is happy to host additional UN units in Iraq to fulfill our development goals. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind |
| Paper text: | |
| The current state of the Middle Eastern and Northern Africa water crisis is very critical. In 2024, the United Nationsâ World Water Development Report mentioned that 83% of the population in the Middle East and Northern Africa is currently affected by high water insecurity and 100% of the population will be affected by 2050. This is an urgent situation, and the Republic of Iraq urges the United Nations to take immediate action. The climate change crisis affects numerous states across the region and in other parts of the global south. The Republic of Iraq has taken action to mitigate the domestic water crisis and recently negotiated a tentative agreement with the Republic of Türkiye on water sharing and water management along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers that aims to stabilize the situation. The Republic of Iraq views Ankara as a key part of solving the water crisis. The Republic of Iraq has also hired private contractors from Power Construction Corporation of China to build a desalination plant in the area of Basrah to create more freshwater in the region, and urges the UN to assist with similar efforts in the region. The Syrian Arab Republic has also suffered greatly from the Middle East Water crisis, and confident Damascus will play a critical role in ending the water crisis, the Republic of Iraq is working to negotiate a deal. These efforts will help the region promote agricultural development. Ultimately, the Republic of Iraq is formally requesting that the United Nations help facilitate as well as partially or fully fund efforts to build desalination plants across the Middle East and Northern Africa. This investment could put a permanent end to one of the greatest humanitarian crises of the twenty-first century and see millions of people lifted out of daily water insecurity. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination |
| Paper text: | |
| The human tragedy in Gaza underscores now more than ever the need to address and
support the decisions of those advocating for their own freedom. The Republic of Iraq
recognizes that ensuring the right of self-determination can further advance relations
between nations, an important pillar of the UN Charter. The Republic of Iraq has shown
its support for self-determination over the years through its efforts in the United Nations.
In 1983, we voted âyesâ on a General Assembly resolution regarding the right to self-
determination. The Republic of Iraq stands by this resolution and its emphasis on the
âspeedy granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples for the effective
guarantee and observance of human rights.â
When Timor-Leste lobbied for self-determination, the Republic of Iraq aided in helping draft a working paper for the United Nations Security Council, which confirmed the people of East Timor had an inalienable right to self-determination. In the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Iraq addressed the congregation and emphasized support for the Palestinian people in their right to self-determination. That same support has and will continue as the question of Palestinian statehood by some becomes more pressing with the continued war in Gaza. Israel has repeatedly broken ceasefire agreements and continued to block aid from reaching people in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian people need to have a voice in the global sphere through the recognition of their right to self-determination. With these past resolutions in mind considering the current political climate of the world, the Republic of Iraq reaffirms our stance now more than ever that the United Nations must step up and advocate for those under occupation and for those who are consistently having their human rights violated to reaffirm their universal right to self- determination. The Republic of Iraq is prepared to collaborate with other like-minded nations to carry out the goal of recognizing and supporting those seeking self- determination. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Improvement of the situation of women and girls in rural areas |
| Paper text: | |
| The Republic of Iraq reaffirms its commitment to advancing the rights and situation of
women and girls in rural areas. The Republic of Iraq recognizes that empowering women
and girls in rural areas is essential to achieving social advancement and sustainable
national development. Rural women face unique challenges, including limited access to
education, employment, and financial resources. These issues have been influenced not
only by climate change but also by conflicts and displacement. The Republic of Iraq is
actively addressing these issues by working closely with United Nations agencies
dedicated to the empowerment of women.
As climate change increasingly impacts women in rural areas, the Republic of Iraq has worked closely with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which trained women under the âClimate Wise Womenâ initiative. This program will help support transitions in the agricultural sector. The women trained through this program will reach out to rural communities in the central and southern governorates, in particular Muthanna and Najaf. The Womenâs Social Protection Department continues to support widowed and vulnerable women by providing training and financial support to help them establish small businesses and enter the workforce. In addition, we are enhancing social safety nets to support vulnerable groups, including rural youth, the elderly, and people with special needs. Through collaboration with UN Women and UNDP, Iraq is expanding access to livelihood and protection services, particularly for women returnees in Nineveh and Mosul. Despite progress, the Republic of Iraq acknowledges the challenges that rural women and girls face, particularly regarding climate change, economic stability, and access to infrastructure. The Republic of Iraq supports efforts that expand funding for womenâs empowerment, strengthen rural womenâs role in climate adaptation, and promote dialogue on climate-resilient agriculture. Iraq stands ready to work with Member States, UN agencies, and NGOs to ensure rural women and girls are empowered in national development and safeguarded from conflict and climate impacts. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Our ocean, our future, our responsibility |
| Paper text: | |
| In the name of God, the Most Beneficent and Merciful, the Republic of Iraq thanks the
United Nations General Assembly for its ongoing commitment to global sustainability and
environmental protection. Given that oceans regulate the climate, support biodiversity,
and provide food resources, the Republic of Iraq understands that the health of the
worldâs oceans is essential for all nations. Decades of harmful exploitation, pollution, and
climate change have put marine ecosystems at risk and disrupted global stability. Iraq
recognizes that damage to the ocean affects agricultural productivity, weather patterns,
and water security, particularly in areas already facing drought and desertification.
Therefore, protecting the ocean is a shared responsibility that directly impacts Iraqâs
environmental and economic recovery. The Republic of Iraq particularly concerns itself
with the Shatt Al-Arab waterway, as well as maintaining cleanliness and garnering support
in our nationâs water reserves.
The Republic of Iraq fully supports Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and calls for stronger international cooperation to restore and protect marine environments. The Republic of Iraq promotes collaborative efforts through the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and regional organizations like the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME). Additionally, the Republic of Iraq encourages investment in sustainable water management for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, as their pollution ultimately impacts the Arabian Gulf. The Republic of Iraq is dedicated to enhancing climate action under the Paris Agreement and seeks international help for technology transfer, data sharing, and building capacity in sustainable water and energy systems. Tackling ocean and climate challenges together will foster peace, stability, and prosperity across regions. In conclusion, the Republic of Iraq reaffirms that protecting the oceans is a sacred duty to future generations and works to maintain the current safety of oceans as well as seeks aid to preserve our waterways. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations |
| Paper text: | |
| The Republic of Iraq would like to first extend its unbound appreciation to the United
Nations General Assembly for its continued graciousness, generosity, and aid towards our
country. However, while the Republic of Iraq is aligned with the UNâs new development-
focused approach for humanitarian aid and has supported the UNs humanitarian transition
in Iraq, it is nonetheless imperative that humanitarian aid operations themselves not be
hindered in the process. The Republic of Iraq and other MENA nations have faced instability
and the displacement of people following decades of conflict in the region. Terrorism is still
a large threat with swift action being necessary in order to defeat terrorist organizations,
something that often requires collaborative regional efforts. Without the cohesive action of
the UN to coordinate efforts for security and humanitarian assistance in the region, millions
of people will go without the necessary food, water, and aid they need to survive.
The Republic of Iraq further calls upon the international community to provide aid and emergency assistance for the war-stricken areas of the MENA region as well as for those who face serious environmental issues due climate change and waters rapidly drying out. The Republic of Iraq emphasizes cooperation with United Nation agencies like UNDP, and WHO to address these issues. The Republic of Iraq also urges the United Nations to provide assistance to the Iraq National Development Plan, as investing in the Republic of Iraqâs future will help the state achieve the security and stability to transition away from global aid as per the UNs Iraq Humanitarian Transition Overview. Ultimately, Iraq reinforces that there must be collective efforts to reinforce peace in the region while also strengthening support in providing humanitarian aid to areas affected by conflicts and climate change. | |
| Committee: | IAEA |
| Topic: | Nuclear security |
| Paper text: | |
| The state of the nuclear nonproliferation regime in the Middle East remains insufficient to deter the threats of nuclear weaponry and the misuse of nuclear technologies. In June 2025, multiple states launched fighter jets to target the Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant, the Natanz Nuclear Facility, and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center within the Islamic Republic of Iran, undermining Iranâs sovereign airspace and worsening tensions in an active warzone between Tehran and Jerusalem. Positioned in the middle of the regional conflict, the Republic of Iraq viewed these developments with grave concern and emphasized the need of strict following to international law. In the words of UN Secretary- General António Guterres, âThis is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge â and a direct threat to international peace and securityâ. To prevent these incursions of nuclear security from escalating at the interstate level, the Republic of Iraq, therefore, encourages the adoption and enforcement of IAEA regulations necessary for achieving a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (NWFZ) within the boundaries of all states of the Middle East and North Africa. The Republic of Iraq believe member states of the IAEA ought to provide a forum to discuss the experiences of states who have adopted NWFZ provisions to model a set of obligations for MENA states in adherence to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to prevent the usage of such weaponry in the region. As outlined in the Director Generalâs report to the IAEA Board of Governors General Conference on July 25th, 2025, attempts towards a NWFZ have been empirically successful in Latin America and the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, Africa and Central Asia, respectively, through the Treaty of Tlatelolco, the Treaty of Rarotonga, the Bangkok Treaty, the Pelindaba Treaty and the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia. We affirm the precedent set by these treaties, including: unique provisions for issues posed by regional governments, the total absence of nuclear weapons from these states, the oversight of the Agency for proper management of nuclear material, and commitments to regional no-first-use (NFU) nuclear policies. | |
| Committee: | IAEA |
| Topic: | Strengthening the Agency's activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications |
| Paper text: | |
| The Republic of Iraq recognizes that the struggle against the rise of greenhouse gases and subsequent global warming is a global collective good. Despite this, the role of small and medium sized nations, as defined by the United Nations Forum on Small States, is consistently neglected in the race towards decarbonization. According to the World Nuclear Association, nuclear power is the second-largest source of low carbon electricity following hydropower, and accounts for about 25% of the worldâs clean electricity. The Republic of Iraq maintains that it is paramount that access to the production of nuclear electricity is equitable for all states, otherwise we will fall short from achieving the Paris Agreementâs net zero emissions standards. The Agency ought to develop incentives and regulations that make the operationalization of small modular reactors sustainable for member states. Many of the initiatives set by the International Conference on Small Modular Reactors and their Applications in October 2024 invite binding legal obligations to spur the widespread adoption of nuclear energy. The Republic of Iraq calls on the United Nations to create financing and contracting programs for states to implement SMRs into their domestic grid systems as well as legislative and regulatory frameworks for the regulation of SMR design, development, and deployment. | |
| Committee: | ESCWA |
| Topic: | War on Gaza: tenets and essential elements for sustainable recovery |
| Paper text: | |
| The Republic of Iraq stands with the Palestinian people and stresses the urgent need for aiding Palestinians in the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The Republic of Iraq calls upon Qatar to lead humanitarian efforts among Arab nations and work directly with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to establish relief and recovery efforts. These efforts should focus on creating a clear and strong economic plan that secures humanitarian assistance and supports reconstruction efforts in Gaza. As of early 2025, over 1.9 million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced, which makes up nearly 85% percent of the Gaza Stripâs population. Critical infrastructure including schools, hospitals, and water facilities has been systematically destroyed as well. The Republic of Iraq calls upon the UN to guarantee consistent humanitarian resources, rebuild essential services, and address the root causes of the conflict, so that sustainable recovery is possible in Gaza. Additionally, the Republic of Iraq maintains that recovery and peace cannot be separated, as the region requires a political solution that both ends the occupation and at the same time secures rights for the Palestinian people. The Republic of Iraq also believes the UN must hold international law violators accountable in order to build trust and stability while the region recovers. This understanding that peace and reconstruction must be intertwined comes from the Republic of Iraqâs own experience with conflict. Continuing efforts should focus on restoring essential services and enforcing international humanitarian laws. The Republic of Iraq reiterates its firm support of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, economic independence, and statehood with East Jerusalem as its capital based on the pre-1967 borders noted in UN Security Council Resolution 242. The international community must work together to support lasting recovery and the fulfillment of the Palestinian people's right to sovereignty. | |
| Committee: | ESCWA |
| Topic: | Economic governance: market competition challenges in the Arab Region |
| Paper text: | |
| The Republic of Iraq acknowledges that sustainable development in the Arab Region is hindered by weak market competition and poor economic governance. Our economy is rich in natural resources but is heavily dependent on oil revenues, with oil revenues accounting for over 85 percent of government income and over 99 percent of exports. This overreliance and limited regulatory enforcement has placed economic power in the hands of few leading to small and medium enterprises struggling to even enter markets and compete fairly. The Arab Monetary Fund notes that the region consistently scores below global averages on competitiveness indicators, specifically in the institutional quality and business environment. The Republic of Iraq believes that addressing these obstacles requires the Arab regionâs practical cooperation in several key areas. The Republic of Iraq has full confidence that reducing excessive, unnecessary rules and improving the business registration processes while empowering competition and regulation laws would unlock economic growth. This would additionally address the high unemployment rates plaguing the youth population in the Arab region. The Republic of Iraq has begun enforcing reforms under our National Development Plan, including updates to competition legislation and reducing the complexity of licensing procedures where possible. The Republic of Iraq is welcoming of private investment and reinforced security for the region backed and supported by the United Nations, The Republic of Iraq understands that lasting progress demands shared understanding and technical support from our international partners and Arab neighbors. Supporting individual investment and encouraging innovators to invest in the region is crucial to sustaining these reform developments. The Republic of Iraq is calling upon fellow nations in the Arab region to create meaningful employment opportunities with tools for policy coordination, reduce collective dependence, and build more dynamic and equitable economies for the future of the region. | |
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