More than 20 years after Iraq began its transition to democracy and peace, the United Nations resident coordinator hailed the remarkable transformation of the country.

Briefing journalists in New York, Ghulam Isaczai spoke about the transition from the long-running UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), which ended its mandate in December, to a partnership with national authorities anchored to development.

“For those who lived through the troubled early years of the transition, today Iraq is unrecognizable and remarkable,” he said.

Isaczai highlighted that the country which was devastated by war following the invasion of 2003 now has increased confidence in its institutions and is moving towards greater stability, with marked increases in education, development and life expectancy.

Additionally, an improved security environment has enabled five million internally displaced people (IDPs) to return home, while those remaining in camps do so mostly because of housing or civil identification issues.

Finally, he noted an “important milestone” when the country held parliamentary elections last year with a 56 percent voter turnout – a 12 percent increase from the previous national vote – with around a third of the candidates being women.

He also noted that many Iraqis are now focused on developing their society and promoting stability and peace with their countrymen and their neighbors, a sharp contrast to constant wars and sponsoring of international organizations.