Kuwait city: The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Al-Hassan, has reiterated the UN’s dedication to supporting Kuwait and Iraq in addressing the issues surrounding missing persons and Kuwaiti property.
According to Kuwait News Agency, during an interview with KUNA, Al-Hassan emphasized UNAMI’s commitment to resolving the missing persons file “once and for all,” aiming to provide comfort to the families affected and to foster stronger relations between the neighboring countries. He outlined UNAMI’s role as defined under UN Security Council Resolution 2107 (2013), which involves facilitating Iraq’s efforts to return the remains of Kuwaiti and other nationals and to restore Kuwaiti property, including national archives taken during the 1990 invasion.
Al-Hassan pointed out the recent handover of 400 boxes containing Kuwaiti books and microfilm tapes from Kuwait’s Ministry of Information, noting it as a significant step in improving cooperation and building trust between the two nations. He also recalled previous returns, including 200,000 books in 2019 and 738 boxes of materials in 2022, highlighting Iraq’s ongoing compliance with UN resolutions.
Since the commencement of its role in 2013, UNAMI has assisted in the identification of the remains of 59 Kuwaiti and other nationals found in Iraq, with more than 300 individuals still unaccounted for, Al-Hassan reported. He also mentioned UN Security Council Resolution 2792 (2025), which advocates for the appointment of a High-Level Representative to continue efforts in locating missing persons and recovering Kuwaiti property post-UNAMI’s mandate.
Al-Hassan underscored the importance of sustained cooperation between Kuwait and Iraq, supported by modern technology, as essential to achieving resolution on this humanitarian issue. He reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting both nations until all outstanding matters are addressed.