UN Resident Coordinator for Iraq Remarks at the Launch of the Reintegration and Communication Strategies for Returnees

It is an honor to join you today for this important event.

On behalf of the United Nations in Iraq, I commend the Government of Iraq, especially the Ministry of Migration and Displacement and UNDP, for their leadership in developing the Reintegration Strategy and the Communication Strategy for returnees from northeast Syria.

These documents are not just working papers, they are concrete achievements by the Reintegration Task Force, and key pillars of the One UN Plan.

Reintegration is the most important factor in addressing the root causes of extremism and radicalization. The success of this process strengthens social cohesion, reduces the chances of recruitment by extremist groups, and contributes to achieving sustainable stability and peace. These strategies mark an important step toward a more coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable approach.

After launching this strategy, the real test lies in implementation, turning these strategies into concrete actions on the ground, clearly defining roles and responsibilities, adopting unified approaches, and harmonized interventions between government and UN partners at the local level. The true measure of success will not just be the content of these documents, but how effectively they are implemented.

To succeed, continuous monitoring, clear oversight mechanisms, and sustainable funding are essential. Without these, even the strongest strategies may fall short. This launch is therefore just the beginning—a shared commitment to act.

We fully recognize the challenges. Returnees face stigma, legal and administrative hurdles, and difficulty accessing services and livelihoods. Host communities, in turn, are under pressure due to limited resources. Reintegration is not simply about returning physically, it’s about restoring dignity, building trust, and creating real opportunities for individuals and families.

The United Nations in Iraq is fully committed to supporting the government in realizing this vision. We will continue working to ensure that returns from northeast Syria are safe, voluntary, and dignified, and that all Iraqis have a genuine opportunity to rebuild their lives with hope and security.

In closing, I would like to thank the Ministry of Migration and Displacement and UNDP for their leadership in these efforts. I also commend the contributions of IOM, UNICEF, WFP, and other partners who continue to support Iraq’s reintegration efforts.

Together, we can turn strategy into action, and action into sustainable impact.

Thank you very much.