Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly

—-

Annual UNRWA Pledging Conference

2 June 2023

(As delivered)

Excellencies,

Commissioner-General [Phillipe] Lazzarini,

USG Courtenay Rattray,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great privilege to address you on this important occasion.

Just last month, I made an official visit to Jordan.

I had the opportunity to visit Jabal el-Hussein camp in Amman, where I witnessed first-hand the exceptional work led by UNRWA.

The only UN agency entrusted with the direct provision of government-like services – from education to healthcare – UNRWA is a lifeline to millions of Palestinians.

During this visit, I had the honour of discussing with young students, whose perspectives, hopes and dreams rekindled my own optimism. 

Without exception, every single of these young individuals expressed hope for the future and nurtured bright aspirations for themselves, for their communities, and for Palestine.

They shared their ambitions to become doctors, lawyers, teachers, police officers, engineers –professions that would allow them to give back to their communities.

With this, let me welcome and thank two special guests today, Leen Sharqawi, welcome to the podium, and Ahmed Abu Daqqa, welcome to you, who have travelled far to be here with us today.

We are honoured by your presence.

Your perspectives, as young Palestinians and as beneficiaries of UNWRA services are critical.

Your experiences and insights should shape our decisions and actions.

Distinguished Delegates,

I urge you to lend an attentive ear to these young voices, to really listen to what they have to say.

They have lived and breathed UNWRA’s invaluable support every day of their young lives.

UNWRA’s teachers, doctors or nurses – every individual contributing to its vital mandate – are some of the world’s most essential workers.

From Gaza to the West Bank, from Jordan to Lebanon and Syria, their tireless efforts strive to ensure social justice, educate future generations, protect women and girls, and promote gender equality.

Despite operating under immense pressure, their unwavering commitment to humanitarian relief continues to provide hope to millions – in one of the world’s most complex situations.

The recent earthquake in Syria and Türkiye, left many Palestinian refugees in even greater despair.

For the heroic work of UNRWA and UNRWA staff, I extend my most heartfelt gratitude.

Colleagues,

Seventy-five years ago, UNRWA was established as a temporary apparatus, to provide immediate aid to displaced Palestinians.

Yet, here we are, three-quarters of a century later, with no solution to the conflict in sight, and still pleading for adequate funding to sustain this vital lifeline, while its necessity continues.

Starting 2023 off with a $75 million debt carried over from the last year is a stark reminder of the precarious state UNRWA finds itself in.

UNRWA will run out of money by September unless we disburse immediate funds.

Let us not forget the stakes involved.

We are not discussing theories, but real-life consequences for nearly six million refugees who depend on UNRWA’s services.

They depend on the commitments shown in this room.

Failure to address this urgent funding crisis will result in the loss of access to healthcare, schooling, food, and water – for those who need these essential services most.

Shall we continue to ignore this situation?

To bring about real change, we must seek innovative and transformative solutions.

We need real commitment.

We must show robust political and financial will to secure the future of UNRWA’s critical operations and the future of the Palestinian refugees.

عِندَما كُنْتُ شابّاً دِبْلوماسيّاً في المِنطَقة، كانَت احتِمالِيَة الوصول إلى حلٍّ سِلمي امْرٌ في مُتَناوَلِ الأمَل والتّوقُعِ.

ولكِنَّ اليوم، وبعد عقودٍ من الزَمَن، تَضاءلَت هَذِهِ الاحْتِمالِيَةِ بِشكْلٍ أكْبَر، الأَمْر الذي يأتي تَزامُناً معَ تَضاؤُل الأمَل لدى أولائِكَ الذين يعيشونَ هناك، وهُم المُتَضَرَرين بِشكلٍ يومي من عدم الوصول إلى حل.

[Arabic translation: When I was a young diplomat in the region, the prospect of a peaceful settlement was something we hoped for, something we expected.

Today, decades later, that prospect has dwindled even further, and with it, the hope of those living in the region, affected by the lack of a solution every single day.]

Until a political solution is found, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to the principles outlined in our Charter and in the 2030 Agenda—ensuring safety, freedom from war, and dignity for all.

As Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ralph Bunche stated “Peace, to have meaning for many who have known only suffering in both peace and war, must be translated into bread or rice, shelter, health, and education, as well as freedom and human dignity – a steadily better life.”  

     إنّني على ثِقَةٍ بأنّكم سَتَتَعَهَدون بالدّعم وتوفير التّويل اللازموالضروري لِتَمكين الأونرُوا من مُواصَلةِ القيام بِمَهامِها، حِيْثُ أَنَّ ذَلك يَعودُ بالنفعِ ليس على حَياةِ الفلِسطينيّين فَحسب، بل على استِقرار المِنطَقة.

[Arabic translation: I trust that you will pledge your support and provide and disburse the urgently needed funds to enable UNWRA to continue providing its services, which benefit not only the Palestinians but also support stability in a fragile region.]

The lives and futures of millions rest in your hands.

I thank you.