A natural refuge outside the confines of concrete walls

For as long as we can remember, UN staff based in Baghdad have been literally "walled-in" at the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), surrounded and protected by a perimeter of concrete T-walls, with protective gear always on the ready.

This state of vigilance should come as no surprise since the first UN headquarters in Baghdad was the target of a terrorist attack on 19 August 2003, killing 22 colleagues and prompting stringent security measures around UN premises worldwide.

This year, we mark the 20th anniversary of the tragedy as we look to the future. Much has changed over the last few years. We moved locations twice, but most measures remained in place.

As the Iraqi capital opens up, so does the United Nations in Iraq.

Longing for cool, green public spaces amidst the incessant blistering heat in the summer and the occasional dustbowl, the UNAMI Office of Mission Support recently conceptualized and developed the Nahr Dijla Eco Park on a bank of Baghdad's iconic Tigris River.

It is adjacent to the UN Integrated Compound, one of two complexes for UN offices and staff living quarters for the past decade.

What was once a neglected patch of land, with wild undergrowth and strewn with plastic waste and other debris deposited over time by the river, now shines as an ecological biodiversity area.

It lies within a delicate environment that is home to bird and plant species, and diverse fauna, such as foxes, river turtles, and colourful butterflies.

The riverfront was developed over three months with minimal human intervention and little heavy-duty excavation machinery so that the wildlife habitat would be left unharmed.

The stone walkway is carefully carved out from the foliage. Gazebos and quiet sitting areas oversee the tranquillity of the river.

These spaces offer the opportunity for staff to take a break, walk in nature, meditate, spend time reading, or converse in a beautiful environment.

UN personnel have conveyed relief to be able to see the river, once beyond sight, connect with nature at their doorsteps, and watch the bustle of the city on the other bank.