Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Gaza, 02 February 2012
Good morning. It is good to be back in Gaza once again. This is my third visit in three years. I am in the region to encourage the parties to continue the talks they have started in Jordan - and to see for myself the progress and challenges on the road to peace. I thank the people of Gaza for their welcome. Gaza is a priority for the United Nations. I vividly recall my visit in 2009, and the terrible destruction I witnessed immediately following the war. Today, I visited a school and a much needed housing project, both developed by UNRWA. When I was last here, this project was suspended. Since then, UNRWA has completed 151 housing units with 449 more underway. Not far away, UNDP is working to build a waste water treatment facility that will benefit all of Khan Younis. By the end of the year, we hope to complete the Khan Younis project with a new neighborhood of 449 housing units, pending further approval. I will press the Israeli authorities to remove the restrictions. These projects, including many schools, illustrate the United Nations' important work in Gaza. This ranges from essential humanitarian assistance to longer-term development - helping Gazans help themselves and realize their full economic and social potential. Continued progress for the people of Gaza requires a number of actions. The current fragile calm must be maintained. There needs to be further, immediate and more far reaching changes, including an end to the Palestinian divide. Israel has taken some measures to ease the closure. More must be done. I am pressing hard for policy changes to enable the United Nations and others to carry out our essential work. Israel must open Gaza's crossings for all building materials, including aggregate, iron bar and cement - the 'ABC' of construction. A steady flow of approvals for United Nations projects is also critical. Gaza's crossings must open for exports Some have started but there is still enormous untapped economic potential that requires access to markets, particularly the West Bank and Israel. Finally, there needs to be a freer flow of people. Later today, I will meet members of the Gazan business and civil society leaders to discuss these and other issues of concern. The people of Gaza seek a better future and the opportunities to shape it. This was the message I heard from the talented children in UNRWA's school here in Khan Younis. We must continue to do all we can to realize these goals for all of the people of Gaza. For my part, I will continue to do my utmost to ensure that Palestinians and Israelis can lead lives in peace and security. Thank you.
