Secretary-General to Take Part in a Virtual Ministerial Conference on UNRWA – 22 June Daily Press Briefing – (Excerpts)

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC​,
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
MONDAY, 22 JUNE 2020

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SECRETARY-GENERAL/U.N.R.W.A.

Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will take part in a virtual ministerial conference on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), called “A Strong UNRWA in a Challenging World – Mobilizing Collective Action.”

That meeting is being co-chaired by the Foreign Minister of Jordan and the Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden.

The event seeks to help UNRWA bridge its financial gap for 2020 and to ensure that it receives sufficient, predictable and sustainable resources to continue delivering on its mandate in the coming years.

The Secretary-General will make brief opening remarks at the press conference immediately after the virtual conference ends.

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Questions and Answers

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Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  Welcome back.  I just want to say I sent you an email while you were away.  I expect an answer to [inaudible].  My question is about when the [inaudible], Stéphane, on Middle East and [inaudible] Palestinian question.  It’s a ministerial meeting and debate over the annexation.  First, would the SG participate in this important [inaudible]?

Spokesman:  I… I’m not able to confirm it at this point, but I would not be surprised if he did participate, alongside with Mr. [Nickolay] Mladenov.

Question:  Is there any scheduled meeting between him and the Palestinian Foreign Minister who will be… delivering the speech on behalf of Palestine?

Spokesman:  No… not that I’m aware, but I can check.

Correspondent:  Thank you very much.

Spokesman:  You’re very welcome.  Ibtisam and then Toby.

Question:  Hi, Steph.  Welcome back.  I have two questions, one also on Palestine.  Could you give us more… a clearer picture which efforts did the Secretary‑General undertake to put more pressure on Israelis against the annexation, anything in that direction?

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For information media. Not an official record.