Palestinian Rights Committee to Convene United Nations Round Table on Question of Palestine in Managua, Nicaragua, 4 February

Building Bridges with Palestinian Diaspora in Central America Will Be Theme for Event as Fiftieth Anniversary of Israeli Occupation Approaches

The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People will convene the United Nations Round Table on the Question of Palestine at the Holiday Inn–Convention Centre in Managua, Nicaragua, on 4 February.

Convened as the fiftieth anniversary of the Israeli occupation approaches, the Round Table will discuss ways in which the Palestinian diaspora in Central America could enhance its bridges with Palestine in support of its self-determination and independence.  It will bring together prominent Palestinians such as Vera Baboun, Mayor of Bethlehem, and Nicola Khamis, Mayor of Beit Jala, as well as representatives of the Palestinian diaspora in Central America, including former Prime Minister Said Musa of Belize, diplomats, United Nations officials and academic experts.

Central American States have largely recognized the State of Palestine over the last decade.  At 9 a.m. on 4 February, during the opening session, former Prime Minister Musa will offer a keynote address on additional ways in which Central America and its Palestinian diaspora can promote a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Following the opening session will be two panel discussions on the critical situation in Palestine as well as practical ways in which the Palestinian diaspora in Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize and other countries in Latin America can coordinate initiatives, reconnect with the homeland, advocate for an end to the occupation and support sustainable development in Palestine.

For further information, please contact the Division for Palestinian Rights at e-mail:  dpr-meeting@un.org.

Updates, including the Round Table programme and press releases, will be posted online at www.un.org/depts/dpa/qpal/calendar.htm.

A Chairman’s summary and a full report will be issued after the event.