Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you. I welcome all, and commend our Iraqi partners for their efforts in organizing this conference in cooperation with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. I also thank His Excellency President Abdul Latif Rashid, President of the Republic of Iraq, for his kind sponsorship to this conference. I am pleased to see you, dear brother Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, presiding over this conference alongside the Acting Head of the Office of Counter-Terrorism. There is a saying: “The best speech is that which is concise yet meaningful.” What must be said on such an occasion is the following: First: Terrorism is a plague and a global threat to the international community. Some call it “terrorism,” while others unfortunately refer to it as an “extreme form of violence.” Call it what you wish, but in the end it is nothing other than terrorism, and its perpetrators are terrorists, regardless of their religious, ethnic affiliations or their nationalities. Second: Al-Hol camp and other similar camps should not exist at all - not in Syria nor in any other country. Their prolonged presence without resolution is unacceptable. These camps should have been dismantled years ago. Syria is not a shelter for terrorists and their families from all over the world, and the continued existence of such camps on Syrian soil without arrangements with the Syrian Government constitutes a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Third: I extend my appreciation to all the countries that have repatriated their nationals from Al-Hol and other camps in Syria. The best service the international community can offer Syria and the Syrian people at this particular stage is for every State to repatriate its citizens and nationals from Syria. Syria has borne more than enough. Fourth: Supporting the Syrian Government in extending its authority and control over all of its national territory is both a duty and a commitment, and it contributes directly to international peace and security. I call on the international community - as Iraq has done - to provide genuine support toward this goal. Fifth: Iraq’s record in repatriating its citizens is exemplary and commendable. I wholeheartedly praise the efforts made by the Iraqi Government, and I acknowledge its commitment and determination to bring back the majority of its nationals from Al-Hol and other camps. At the United Nations, and within the UNAMI mission, we work side by side with both the Iraqi and Syrian Governments to achieve this objective - and, God willing, it will be achieved. In conclusion, today, we must move together with firm steps to eradicate terrorism, in line with international principles. I renew my gratitude to the Government of Iraq and to all those who contributed to organizing this conference. I wish everyone success, and I look forward to the day we meet again, soon, in a world where such camps and prisons no longer exist - neither in Syria nor elsewhere. Thank you.

Today, UN-Habitat Iraq, in collaboration with the Ninewa governorate and the Government of Japan, inaugurated the Japan Village social housing complex in Mosul. The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of Japan to Iraq, Iraqi ministers, the Governor of Ninawa, Japanese private entities and NGO, the United Nations in Iraq, and representatives of the Mosul city. The Japan Village project has delivered 48 housing units, providing housing solutions for approximately 350 returnees and will benefit approximately 10,000 individuals through improved access to basic urban infrastructure and services. Designed with sustainability and climate resilience in mind, key features include solar-reflective coating technology (Miracool paint) for water tanks, solar energy systems powering public lighting and facilities, and climate-adaptive infrastructure to mitigate heat stress and environmental risks. The initiative represents a significant step in the development of the Rajm Hadeed neighbourhood, as outlined in Mosul’s City Master Plan. “The Japan Village project served as a catalyst for the transformation of Rajm Hadeed into a residential area for returnees,” said Abdul Qadir Al-Dakhil, Governor of Ninewa. “This marks the beginning of a broader urban integration process, which—thanks to the agglutinating role played by UN-Habitat—will continue with the full commitment of the Ninewa Governorate.” The initial agreement between UN-Habitat and the Government of Japan to construct the housing complex was instrumental in mobilizing local authorities. The Government of Ninewa and the Municipality of Mosul played a critical role in integrating the neighbourhood into the city’s urban fabric. They are responsible for essential public infrastructure, including electricity and water. Addressing the ceremony, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Resident Coordinator for Iraq, Mr. Ghulam Isaczai said: “Today’s inauguration of the Japan Village Project is not only about providing new homes, but about advancing durable solutions for families who have long awaited the chance to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity. It marks a concrete step toward restoring hope and creating opportunities for internally displaced persons and returnees, giving them the stability they need to rebuild, recover, and plan for a better future.” “I sincerely hope that the Japan Village Project, with continued collaboration with Ninewa Governorate and Mosul Municipality, will stand as a lasting symbol of the strong partnership, not just between Japan and Iraq, but also between the peoples of Japan and Mosul, which is expected to be carried forward by our future generations,” said His Excellency Mr. Akira Endo, Ambassador of Japan to Iraq. “The Government and people of Japan remain committed to sharing our experiences and standing side by side with the people of Iraq in rebuilding peaceful lives and a sustainable future.” The project stands as a successful example of a Public-Private Partnership, demonstrating how coordinated efforts between governments, the private sector, and development actors can deliver tangible results for communities in need. “Japan Village embodies UN-Habitat’s vision of placing adequate housing at the core of urban and human development,” said Muslim Qazimi, Head of UN-Habitat Iraq. “This initiative demonstrates how inclusive partnerships can lead to sustainable and scalable solutions for urban recovery.” The compound will now be managed by the Municipality of Mosul. The selected families to occupy the housing units is ongoing, based on vulnerability criteria and other considerations to ensure equitable access.

With the support of the Government of Japan, has launched a new series of the Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) trainings in Sharya Camp and Sharya Town, in the Duhok Governorate of Northern Iraq. These trainings are part of the project “Emergency livelihood support to internally displaced persons affected by camp closures and host community members for the development of an inclusive market system”that is providing emergency livelihood support to internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by camp closures, and to host communities, in order to foster a more inclusive market system in Iraq. By investing in IDPs and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills, UNIDO promotes self-reliance and strengthens the resilience of entire communitiesSharya Camp is home to over 9,000 displaced Yazidis who fled the Sinjar region during the Islamic State’s 2014 genocidal campaign. Conditions in the camp remain harsh with limited access to basic infrastructure and services, with many residents facing ongoing trauma, poverty, and uncertainty about their future. The town of Sharya is also predominantly Yazidi and hosts both long-term residents and displaced families. Between the 24th of August and the 3rd of September, two training programs were held in Sharya Camp and Sharya Town, each providing 65 hours of instruction to a total of 44 men and women. These trainings equipped participants with the practical skills and self-confidence to transform their business ideas into reality, and marked the beginning of series of further trainings opportunities to support aspiring entrepreneurs.Like thousands of other IDPs across the Kurdistan Region in Northern Iraq, many participants face significant barriers to formal employment and stable income. For them, entrepreneurship offers one of the most sustainable pathways to rebuilding their lives and supporting their families.Throughout 11 days, participants acquired skills covering key aspects of business development, including business planning, financial management, budgeting, marketing, and customer relations. The program also placed strong emphasis on soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, which are essential for sustaining a business in a competitive and often unpredictable economic environment. At the end of the training, participants had the opportunity to receive equipment support package consisting of tools, equipment, and materials tailored to their business ideas, enabling them to immediately apply what they’ve learned and help overcome one of the biggest challenges facing new entrepreneurs: access to start-up resources.The active participation of women in both Sharya Camp and Town underscores the growing influence of women in business and entrepreneurship across the Kurdistan Region. Nearly 40% of the training participants were female, a remarkable figure considering the social and economic challenges women face in pursuing entrepreneurial ventures. Women that joined the program showed strong determination to build better futures not only for themselves, but also for their families and communities. Their involvement reflects a broader shift toward inclusive economic development and highlights the transformative potential of targeted training for displaced populations.An example of this determination is Khairiya Rashak Chrko, the eldest daughter of a family originally from Sinjar that was displaced to Sharya Camp in 2014, Khairiya was one of 17 female participants in the program. Her father is the family’s sole wage earner, working as a day laborer without a steady job. Although Khairiya has been actively seeking employment, she has not yet been successful.Reflecting on her experience, Khairiya shared, “the training gave me the skills to establish my own small business.” She added, “I feel confident now that I understand the key principles of marketing and how to build customer trust.”Anwar Jundi Khalaf, is another participant in the program, that lives in Sharya Camp. Like most IDPs, his family has endured both the loss of loved ones and ongoing economic hardship. On Reflection, Anwar shared, “the program was a valuable opportunity to gain life and social skills and to build our capacities. I learned how to navigate the market, start a business, and formally establish it with proper planning and a clear vision for the future.”A computer science graduate, Anwar explained, “I have sufficient theoretical and practical knowledge to work in the field” What he lacked, were business skills and motivation, which, the training successfully provided.Dezheen Jamil Namr, a 20-year-old IDP living in Sharya Town, has not yet had the opportunity to find work or start a business, but shared her aspirations to establish a domestic poultry project. Drawing from personal experience, Dezheen explained, “I’ve gained valuable knowledge from my mother, who raises enough chickens to meet our family’s egg consumption.”Recognizing a market opportunity and the chance to leverage her skills - newly acquired and otherwise Dezheen noted, “there’s strong demand for local eggs, so I plan to raise chickens and sell eggs in commercial quantities. This will help support both me and my family.”The Sharya training program builds on UNIDO’s successful EDP model, previously implemented in other refugee and IDP-hosting areas. In these locations, participants like Dezheen have received the skills and resources needed to open shops, start farms, and expand family businesses. Their achievements demonstrate how displaced individuals, when provided with the right tools and support, can become active contributors to the economy and play a vital role in community recovery and growth. 

Her Excellency Evan Faeq Jabro, Minister of Migration and Displaced,
the firm and close partner to the international community and the United Nations, and the faithful guardian of migration and displaced people’s issues in this government,Excellencies,My dear friend, the representative of the Prime Minister, Dr. Al-Alawi,
My friend and colleague, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mohammed Hussein Bahr Al-Ulum,Esteemed guests,It is a great pleasure to join you today at the Conference on the Global Compact for Migration, which serves as a pivotal platform to promote cooperation between the Government of Iraq and the international community, specifically the United Nations, with a view to developing a comprehensive and sustainable migration governance.At the outset, I would like to indicate that the United Nations is a key and principal partner to Iraq and the Government of Iraq, and we, at the United Nations, cherish this partnership and consider this country a future destination of attraction to qualified people and investments from all countries of the world. The United Nations fully supports the Government of Iraq’s orientation to enhance partnerships across various sectors in this field, through creating decent employment opportunities and attracting Iraqi talents from abroad to contribute to building a more advanced, prosperous, and secure Iraq. This partnership represents a strategic opportunity for Iraq to formulate fair and transparent policies that uphold human rights and achieve a sustainable reintegration for returnees from abroad.Moreover, engaging the private sector in the design and implementation of migration programmes opens the way to providing legal and safe alternatives for migration that meet the highest international standards. This would also enhance the ability of this important and precious country in the region to transform migration challenges into genuine development opportunities that contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.I would also like to highlight the vital role of the United Nations Network on Migration in Iraq, as it brings together many relevant UN agencies working in a coordinated manner to support the Government of Iraq’s priorities in the field of migration, provide technical expertise, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and good practices at the regional and international levels.I say it loud and clear: The previous arrangements that some countries used to take when dealing with Iraq and Iraqis should be changed, as Iraq has changed. It is not the country that used to face some challenges anymore, but rather, it has become an active member in the international system. Therefore, these arrangements should be changed in a manner that strengthens the standing of this country and helps it to rise again, consistent with our viewpoint, as people who are present on the soil of this precious country.      We affirm the United Nations’ commitment to continue providing technical support to the Government of Iraq.Your Excellency, the Minister, We are your partners, wholeheartedly, in a manner that serves Iraq, safeguards the status of this country, and restores the ray of civilization that emanated from this blessed land. We, along with the international partners and the private sector, work with you hand-in-hand to ensure the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration, and turn its principles into tangible realities for the benefit of all Iraqis.Before I conclude, and as I promised myself, I must point out a related topic, concerning the Internally Displaced People (IDPs), especially the Yezidis. It is high time that Yezidis, who live far away from their original areas, return to their places of origin in a voluntary, optional, and safe manner, and Iraq can achieve that.I express my thanks to you and to all our partners, and we look forward to continuing our joint work for a bright and promising future for this dear country.Thank you.