KRG Head of the Department for Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, and his delegation participated at the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly that took place from September 13th – 26th in New York.
Within the framework of the Assembly, Minister Mustafa gave a speech at a ministerial-level-event on the humanitarian crisis in the Kurdistan Region. In this context, he particularly elaborated on the intensification of this humanitarian crisis with the anticipated liberation of Mosul from the terrorist group Islamic State. Minister Mustafa explained that in addition to the 1.8 million refugees and IDPs (internally displaces persons) already residing in the Region, another 500,000 IDPs are expected as a consequence of the military liberation of Mosul. Moreover, the Minister described the current situation as “a shared responsibility” and emphasized that “we need the assistance, cooperation and contribution of everyone including the Iraqi government, donor countries, members of the coalition against ISIL, UN agencies and international and local NGOs”.
The Minister reiterated the KRG’s desire to broaden ties with members of the international community as well as the importance of the common fight against ISIS, and called for more international humanitarian support for the Region.
On the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly, Minister Mustafa was able to meet with the Foreign Ministers of Hungary, Bulgaria and Cyprus as well as with the Swedish and Czech Deputy Foreign Ministers. The focal points of these bilateral meetings were the current fight against ISIS, and the related difficult security and humanitarian situation in the Kurdistan Region as well as the fostering of bilateral relations.
Minister Mustafa furthermore congratulated Nadia Murad, a Ezidi from Sinjar who had been captured and enslaved by ISIS for three months, on her appointment as Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking. He emphasized this important step as a symbol of Ezidi suffering and resilience on an international level.