The Secretary-General is concerned about the potentially destabilizing effects of today’s referendum in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

The Secretary-General respects the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Iraq and considers that all outstanding issues between the federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government should be resolved through structured dialogue and constructive compromise.

The Secretary-General expects that United Nations mandated activities across Iraq, including in the Kurdistan region, will be allowed to continue unhindered. He calls upon the relevant authorities for their continued support.

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General