New York, USA (us.gov.krd) - KRG Minister Rebar Ahmed and his delegation engaged in productive discussions with high-level diplomats based in New York, as well as United Nations officials, on Monday, June 19, 2023, addressing security, political, and humanitarian matters.

Minister Ahmed, the Kurdistan Regional Government Minister of Interior, along with Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, the KRG Representative to the United States, met with ambassadors from the US, British and French missions to the UN.

Minister Ahmed urged UN officials and diplomats to sustain their support for the 1 million IDPs and refugees hosted in the Kurdistan Region. He highlighted the ongoing security concerns and lack of services that prevent the safe return of IDPs and refugees to their homelands. The Minister also expressed the KRG's concerns regarding the detainees of Al-Hol camp in Syria, emphasizing the urgent need for a sustainable and viable solution to address the humanitarian and serious security challenge Al-Hol presents.

During their meeting with Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, Minister Counselor for Political Affairs and Security Council Coordinator at the US Permanent Mission to the UN, Minister Ahmed emphasized the humanitarian, political, and security situation in Iraq. He highlighted the challenges faced by IDPs and refugees in Kurdistan, reiterating the need for international donors to continue to support them. The Minister thanked the United States and other generous donors and welcomed the role of the UN Mission in Iraq in furthering dialogue and stability in Iraq.

Minister Ahmed and his delegation raised similar issues in meetings with Ambassador James Kariuki, the United Kingdom's Chargé d'Affaires, and Ambassador Nathalie Broadhurst, the French Deputy Head of Mission.

During the meeting with Ambassador Kariuki, Minister Ahmed discussed the longstanding relationship between Kurdistan and the UK, exchanged views on recent developments in Kurdistan and Iraq, and stressed the importance of sustained international attention to the humanitarian situation in Kurdistan and Syria.

Minister Ahmed and Ambassador Broadhurst engaged in a friendly and comprehensive exchange on the security, humanitarian, and economic challenges in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the wider region. Minister Ahmed urged donors and UN agencies to continue supporting the displaced communities and thanked France for its support to the people of Kurdistan for the past four decades.

In addition, Minister Ahmed met with Ruven Menikdiwela, Director of the United Nations High Commissioner's Office for Refugees (UNHCR) in New York. During the meeting, Minister Ahmed addressed the pressing humanitarian situation in Kurdistan. He emphasized the need for continued UN aid to support the displaced people, including Syrian refugees, and reiterated Kurdistan's commitment to a voluntary and dignified policy for their return to their places of origin.

As the head of the KRG committee responsible for implementing UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security, the Interior Minister continues to advocate for the rights and inclusion of women in peace processes.

Minister Ahmed also met with Saskia Ramming at the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.

This visit to New York followed a week of meetings by the Interior Minister in Washington, DC, further strengthening ties and engagement with international partners.