Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, stressed the urgent need to take more concrete steps on the Sinjar Agreement in the region where the Yazidi population lives to ensure its belated implementation.

Hennis-Plasschaert made these remarks during her speech in the capital of Kurdistan, Erbil, at an event dedicated to the 9th anniversary of the Yazidi genocide.

As stated in the statement of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), the UN representative called for accelerated implementation of the Law on Yazidi Survivors and the Sinjar Agreement.

Below is the speech of the UN representative.

"Ladies and gentlemen,

Of course, we have gathered here on this solemn day to remember what happened to the Yazidi community at the hands of the so-called "Islamic State".

And there are no phrases or platitudes capable of paying tribute to the suffering endured. And every year we meet to never forget the horror that unfolded in 2014.

Now, as I said in Baghdad: eternal memory is a collective duty. But this memory should not be static. The most powerful form of memory is the one that encourages action.

Unfortunately, there has been a lack of urgency over the past nine years. Over the years, the people of Sinjar have faced enormous challenges and obstacles.

And in memory of all the victims and out of respect for their loved ones, I can only repeat what I have asked so many times from the relevant persons: please put aside your differences or biased interests. And please, with immediate effect, put the needs of the people of Sinjar first.

Now, however, there are some positive developments that should be reported:

More than 600 survivors have started receiving monthly compensation in accordance with the Yazidi Survivors Act;

Decree on Land and Property;

The approval of the federal budget has freed up resources, and we hope that the provincial council elections later this year will contribute to much-needed stability in the governance of Sinjar.

However, speaking of all this, let me be clear: embellishing the situation will not help anyone — least of all the survivors.

Simply put, the truth is that although things have started moving in the right direction quite recently, it's just not moving fast enough.

As discussed, many Yazidis are still missing — their families remain in the dark, they do not have the opportunity to bury loved ones who have lost their lives.

Too many are still displaced, and they, like people who have returned to their homes, face many problems. These include problems with both mental and health in general, while those in need are often unable to receive support — whether due to lack of services or paperwork.

Surviving women, in particular, face many obstacles.

Meanwhile, poverty is widespread, and many people are left without a job or a social network to rely on.

Now these problems are not helped by the ongoing delays in the implementation of the Sinjar Agreement.

So, nine years after the peak of ISIS violence and three years after Erbil and Baghdad signed the Sinjar Agreement: the prospect of "stability and security" is still too vague — too far away.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We hope that recent events and statements of commitment will create momentum. And yes, these developments need to be used and scaled.

As I did this morning in Baghdad, let me highlight some priorities in this regard:

First, I will touch upon the implementation of the Law on the Surviving Yazidis. Simply put, it needs to be accelerated. And this can only happen if the Office of Survivors' Affairs is able to cope with the upcoming workload. Equally important are efforts to remove barriers that prevent survivors from demonstrating their right to help.

Secondly, I have already mentioned it: the Sinjar Agreement. No matter how positive the recent repeated declarations of commitment have been, we need to see concrete steps – and at a faster pace. Whether it is the appointment of a mayor, the creation of local security forces, the provision of services or the expansion of reconstruction. And, to be clear, the prospect of December elections should not interfere with the process of appointing an interim mayor of Sinjar. Such an appointment in the near future is crucial if we are talking about the activation of utilities and reconstruction.

Thirdly, this is the message I have heard from all the survivors I have met in the past years: justice and accountability remain key factors, it goes without saying that the perpetrators must be brought to justice, and the UN, including through UNITAD, continues to support the efforts led by Iraq to adopt appropriate legislation and ensuring justice.

Now, finally, let me repeat once again that people should be put above politics or party interests, especially when it comes to those who have suffered from the most terrible atrocities in the recent history of mankind. This is the only way to fully meet the needs of survivors.

Today's ceremony is a vivid reminder of the monstrous inhumanity that can arise as a result of the conflict, and how critical it is to avoid its repetition. And, as I said earlier in other words: the surest form of memory is the one that inspires us to act.

In other words: while we honor the past, we must also look to the future — and thus act decisively to prevent further suffering of the residents of Sinjar. They deserve a future they can believe in. Starting today.