Mohamed al-Hassan, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, on Tuesday addressed key political developments, including the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections, the formation of a new cabinet in the Kurdistan Region, and relations between Erbil and Baghdad.

At today’s Security Council meeting, al-Hassan emphasized the need for constructive engagement between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), stating that outstanding issues should be resolved through “dialogue and collaboration.”

He also urged the swift formation of the Kurdistan Region’s next cabinet, expressing optimism that the parties involved “will be able to form a competent government that will serve the interest of the people of Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Iraq at large.”

The elections for the sixth session of the Kurdistan Parliament were held on October 20, 2024. However, the parliamentary presidency remains unelected, and the formation of the KRG's 10th cabinet is still pending.

On the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad, Al-Hassan described it as a “partnership” that requires ongoing communication rooted in the Iraqi Constitution. He added that through such dialogue, both sides can effectively address and resolve any outstanding issues between the two sides.

Regarding the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections, scheduled for November 11, 2025, Al-Hassan noted that the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), in coordination with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), is making progress in preparing for the vote. With UNAMI’s technical support, he said the two bodies "are making notable progress in preparing for the election.”

Despite existing challenges, he emphasized Iraq’s commitment to democratic integrity, stating that "Iraq [is] committed to do its best toward free, fair and transparent election with the participation of all Iraqi without fear and intimidation."

He further noted that UNAMI "will spare no effort in providing the most professional and technical support toward its end, including efforts to promote widest participation of women, youth and minors."

Al-Hassan also highlighted a recent achievement, announcing that the Iraqi government has officially recognized the Yazidis’ right to land ownership.

Referring to regional developments, the UN envoy noted Iraq’s role in facilitating dialogue between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), stressing that the peace process “if implemented in good faith would bring peace, security and stability to the region at large.”