UNAMI’s Cross-Country Roundtable Discussions “National Reconciliation: Prospects and Challenges” Open in Karbala

Karbala, Iraq - The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), in its efforts to promote and advance inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation, convened in Karbala on Satutrday 16 September 2017 the first of a series of cross-country roundtable discussions among political, religious and tribal leaders as well as civil society, academics, and influential personas.

The aim of the roundtable discussions is to create an enabling environment for Iraqi national reconciliation, bring together Iraqi stakeholders representing different constituencies and from all ethnic backgrounds and with opposing views at the same table to engage them on the reconciliation process by informing them and listening to their views to ensure that reconciliation efforts are coordinated and consolidated across the vast variety of Iraqi stakeholders.



The roundtable discussions, under the theme of “National Reconciliation: Prospects and Challenges”, are organized by UNAMI in collaboration with the National Reconciliation Committee of the Prime Minister’s Office and Iraqi Al-Raifidain Center for Dialogue and are funded by the Governments of the Netherlands and Germany. They will be held in nine locations across the country over the next four months.



Opening the first roundtable that brought together 40 Iraqi stakeholders representing political, religious and tribal leaders, civil society and academics from the governorates of Karbala and Babil, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Iraq for Political Affairs Gyorgy Busztin stressed the importance of dialogue to reach reconciliation.



“Reconciliation is a necessity. Our firm belief is that it will provide the solutions to the various outstanding issues. We look forward to frank discussions that would enrich our understanding and bring more wisdom to the process.”