The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Iraq and Head of the UNAMI Mission, Dr. Mohamed Al-Hassan, visited the Al-Nabaa Forum for Dialogue, one of the most prominent intellectual centers in the country.
The meeting was attended by the Head of the Forum, Ali Al-Talqani, along with a UNAMI delegation and forum members comprising political and academic figures, including MP Mohammed Al-Khafaji, Dr. Hameed Muslim Al-Turufi, Professor Dr. Riyadh Al-Maso'udi, Dr. Khalid Al-Ardawi, and legal expert Ahmed Jwaid.
During the meeting, Mr. Al-Hassan was briefed on the outlines of Al-Nabaa's strategy for 2026-2030, which focuses on consolidating good governance, empowering civil society and youth, and enhancing civil peace and sustainable development, as well as openness to partnerships.
The Head of the Forum, Ali Al-Talqani, explained that the working strategy for the upcoming phase aims to make the forum a broader national platform for dialogue that contributes to presenting practical proposals to enhance reform and stability. The forum also presented an overview of its most prominent previous milestones, including holding periodic sessions that brought together decision-makers with experts, academics, and diplomats, and launching social and political initiatives, alongside preparing policy papers that addressed issues of institutional reform, good governance, anti-corruption, and moderation.
For his part, Dr. Al-Hassan presented his vision for the future of Iraq in light of UNAMI's role, warning of the major challenges facing the country, foremost among them corruption and political money, and the resulting weakening of public trust.
Al-Hassan pointed to the dangers of foreign interference to Iraq's unity and the independence of its decision-making, as well as crises related to displacement, migration, desertification, and pollution, considering that these issues represent a direct threat to citizens' lives and require integrated solutions.
The attendees discussed the upcoming Iraqi elections, stressing the importance of providing a fair and transparent electoral environment that encourages popular participation and enhances citizens' trust in the democratic process, alongside the necessity of civil society's role in monitoring and contributing to its success.
The meeting witnessed interventions from the attendees that focused on the necessity of involving intellectual elites in formulating public policies, expanding the scope of transparency and accountability, and building a political and social environment capable of protecting the democratic path.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Al-Nabaa Forum for Dialogue, considering its activity a practical model for civil society initiatives in Iraq, and affirmed the importance of the international community's and UNAMI's commitment to supporting such initiatives that enhance national dialogue and open practical and scientific horizons for the country's future.
