On 5 February 2025, the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People convened its first annual meeting to elect its Bureau and adopt its annual Programme of Work.
As customary, the Secretary-General participated in the meeting and presided over the election of the Bureau. The newly elected Bureau comprises:
- H.E. Coly Seck (Senegal) – Chair
- H.E. Neville Melvin Gertze (Namibia) – Vice-Chair
- H.E. Jaime Hermida Castillo (Nicaragua) – Vice-Chair
- H.E. Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir (Indonesia) – Vice-Chair (represented by H.E. Hari Prabowo, Deputy Permanent Representative)
- H.E. Ernesto Soberón Guzmán (Cuba) – Vice-Chair
- H.E. Ahmad Faisal Muhamad (Malaysia) – Vice-Chair and Rapporteur
The meeting heard briefings by State of Palestine, by UNRWA, by Mr. Michael Fakhri, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and by Mr. Hani Al Madhoun, co-founder of Gaza Soup Kitchen. The Committee adopted its Programme of Work for 2025.
The members of the newly elected Bureau held a joint media stakeout after the meeting. The Chair reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to Palestinian rights and the need for sustained humanitarian access in Gaza. While welcoming the Gaza ceasefire, the Bureau urged its full implementation and condemned Israel’s ban on UNRWA, calling for its immediate reversal. It also demanded an end to excessive force in the West Bank, including the siege on Jenin. The 2025 Programme of Work will focus on diplomacy, advocacy, partnerships, and capacity-building to advance Palestinian rights and a two-State solution, urging media to keep global attention on ongoing violations. Read the complete press statement.
