UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI)

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Description:

1. The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) is a political mission established in 2003 by UN Security Council Resolution 1500, at the request of the Government of Iraq. The Mission has been on the ground ever since, and its role was greatly expanded in 2007 with the adoption of Resolution 1770.
2. UNAMI’s mandate is to advise and assist the Government and people of Iraq on a number of issues. This includes advancing inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation, assisting in the electoral process and in the planning for a national census, facilitating regional dialogue between Iraq and its neighbours, and promoting the protection of human rights and judicial and legal reforms. More about UNAMI’s mandate.
3. The mandate also tasks the Mission with working with government partners and civil society to coordinate the humanitarian and development efforts of the UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes. While UNAMI itself does not deliver humanitarian and development programmes, it raises the profile of development and humanitarian issues in Iraq and connects Iraqi partners – both the Government and civil society organizations – with the technical expertise available within the UN family in Iraq.
4. UNAMI is headed by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, who is supported by two deputies. One Deputy SRSG oversees political and human rights affairs, while a second Deputy SRSG oversees UN humanitarian and development efforts and performs the functions of Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq. Currently, there are approximately 320 international staff and more than 470 national staff working for the Mission in Iraq.
   The Mission is administered by the United Nations Department of Political Affairs and supported by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, as well as the Department of Field Support.
5. Each United Nations mission for which an UNM is awarded is commemorated by a suspension and service ribbon of unique colors and design. The ribbon and medallion combination take on the name of the specific operation for which the combination was created. For example, the operation in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia is the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), yielding the UNPROFOR Medal. Service members who are awarded an UNM may wear the first UNM with unique suspension and service ribbon for which they qualify. A bronze service star will denote subsequent awards of the UNM for service in a different United Nations mission. Only one United Nations ribbon is authorized for wear.

Background:

1. Presentation. The Senior Representative of the Secretary-General who makes the award normally makes presentation of the UNM in the field. Approval authority to accept and wear the UNM to member of the Armed Forces of the United States is the Secretary of Defense. When presentation is not so accomplished, any person who believes he or she is eligible for award may submit to Commander, USA HRC, (see CFR paragraph 578.3(c) for address) and a request for such award with copy of any substantiating documents. Commander, AHRC will forward each such request through the Office of Internal Administration, Office of the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, to the United Nations for consideration.
2. Medal. The medal is bronze, 13/8 inches in diameter, with a top view of the globe enclosed at sides and bottom by a wreath and the letters “UN” at the top of the medal. On the reverse side is the inscription “IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE”. The United Nations Service Medal Korea is the same design, except the obverse does not include the letters “UN” and the medal has a hanger bar with the inscription “KOREA”. On the reverse side of the United Nations Service Medal Korea is the inscription “FOR SERVICE IN DEFENCE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS”.
3. Ribbon. Each United Nations mission for which a UNM is awarded is commemorated by a suspension and service ribbon of unique colors and design. The ribbon and medallion combination take on the name of the specific operation for which the combination was created. For example, the operation in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia is the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), yielding the UNPROFOR Medal. Service members who are awarded a UNM may wear the first UNM with unique suspension and service ribbon for which they qualify. A bronze service star will be worn to denote subsequent awards of the UNM for service in a different United Nations mission. Only one United Nations ribbon is authorized for wear.

The Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness maintains a list of "Approved Military Decorations and Awards" which is a roster of the approved Joint DoD awards and/or operations for which the medal is authorized.
This is the DoD Approved U.N. Missions and Actions approved award/operations. as of the date shown in the document. You may want to verify if it has been updated at The Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness (linked above)