Role of UNRWA More Urgent than Ever Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Delegates Say, as Fourth Committee Continues Joint General Debate – Press Release (GA/SPD/720) (Excerpts)

FOURTH COMMITTEE
SEVENTY-FIFTH SESSION, 5TH MEETING (PM)
GA/SPD/720
20 OCTOBER 2020

Français

Amid the COVID‑19 pandemic, the role played by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is more urgent than ever, delegates said today, calling for solutions to its financial crisis as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) continued its joint general debate.

Jordan’s representative emphasized that UNRWA must continue providing services until a just solution to the Israel‑Palestine conflict is found.  Warning of potential humanitarian and security repercussions if the Agency were to fail in fulfilling its mandate, he urged all Member States to honour their commitments in that regard.

Noting that the Palestinian question remains the main driver of crises in the Middle East, he said a two‑State solution to the conflict requires a sovereign Palestinian State and, as such, cannot be achieved while Israel announces its intention to annex the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea.

Turkey’s representative warned that even if annexation is postponed, it is not off the table because illegal settlement activity continues in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and will form the basis for future annexation plans.  In that context, UNRWA’s key role in supporting refugees is more crucial than ever, she said, emphasizing that adequate support requires stronger commitment from the international community.  Turkey, for its part, has increased its contributions to the Agency tenfold in the last three years and participates in efforts to ensure predictable funding, she noted.

Brazil’s representative said UNRWA is helping a vulnerable population combat an unprecedented health crisis.  The situation has introduced unforeseen costs to the Agency’s already strained budget and, he announced in that context Brazil’s donation to the Agency’s Coronavirus Emergency Appeal.

General Debate

The representative of the Russian Federation called for…Turning to UNRWA, she said the Agency must have appropriate resources to continue its key efforts.  Unlike other agencies, UNRWA has been balanced in its approach and has been able to avoid politicizing its efforts, she observed.

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The representative of Jordan said the Palestinian question remains the main driver of crises in the Middle East region.  The two‑State solution to the conflict requires a sovereign Palestinian State and as such, it cannot be achieved while Israel announces its will to annex the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea.  Moreover, Israel’s announcement of new settlements thwarts any chance at comprehensive peace, he stressed.  Jordan has been entrusted with religious sites in Al‑Quds‑Al‑Sharif and will firmly stand against any violation of these holy sites, especially the Al‑Aqsa Mosque, he said, stressing:  “We will spare no effort to fight such violations.”  His delegation has always placed the question of Palestinian refugees and UNRWA at the top of its foreign policy priorities.  As such it has sought to gather international support for UNRWA.  On 15 October, Jordan and Sweden co‑chaired a ministerial dialogue to mobilize support for the Agency and discuss practical ways to overcome its financial challenges.  Emphasizing that UNRWA must continue providing services until a just solution to the conflict is achieved, he warned against the humanitarian and security repercussions that would arise were UNRWA to fail in its mandate.  As such, he urged all Member States to honour their commitments so that UNRWA can continue to meet refugees’ needs.

The representative of India expressed support for UNRWA and reported that her country has increased its annual pledge to the Agency and committed to a multi‑year donation.

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The representative of Brazil, associating himself with the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries and the Group of 77, described…As for UNRWA, he noted that the Agency is helping a vulnerable population fight an unprecedented health crisis, adding that the situation has introduced unforeseen costs to its already strained budget.  In that context, Brazil has announced a donation to UNRWA’s Coronavirus Emergency Appeal, he reported.

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The representative of Turkey noted that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory and violations of international law continue unabated, including demolitions, arbitrary arrests and movement restrictions.  COVID‑19 has exacerbated the desperate situation, she said, stressing that the parameters of United Nations resolutions must be reinforced in order to find a just solution.  Even if annexation is postponed, it is not off the table, she pointed out, warning that the construction of illegal settlements in the Territories continues and will be the basis for future annexation plans.  In that context, UNRWA’s key role in supporting refugees is more crucial than ever.  Adequate support for the Agency requires stronger commitment and monetary contribution from the international community, she said, noting that Turkey has increased its contribution ten-fold in the last three years and participates in efforts to ensure predictable funding.  Citing the findings of the Working Group’s report, she called for additional voluntary contributions to the Agency.

The representative of Malaysia, aligning himself with Non‑Aligned Movement and ASEAN, said…Focusing on UNWRA, he said its unwavering work has assisted and protected more than 5 million Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.  He strongly condemned Israel’s flagrant violations, including the continued restrictions on UNRWA personnel and the movement of goods in the West Bank and Gaza, which have undermined the Agency’s ability to effectively execute its mandate.

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The representative of Angola, associating himself with the Group of 77, the Non‑Aligned Movement and the Community or Portuguese‑Speaking Countries, said…Angola supports UNRWA and the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, he added.

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For information media. Not an official record.