{"id":224399,"date":"2019-11-11T17:15:05","date_gmt":"2019-11-11T22:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=224399"},"modified":"2021-11-11T13:31:08","modified_gmt":"2021-11-11T18:31:08","slug":"statement-of-the-officer-in-charge-unrwa-special-political-and-decolonization-committee","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/statement-of-the-officer-in-charge-unrwa-special-political-and-decolonization-committee\/","title":{"rendered":"Statement of the Officer-in-Charge UNRWA: Special Political and Decolonization Committee"},"content":{"rendered":"
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November 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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Arabic: \u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a\u0629<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Officer<\/a><\/p>\n

Officer in Charge of UNRWA, Mr. Christian Saunders addresses the United Nations Fourth Committee at United Nations Headquarters in New York. \u00a9 2019 UN WebTV photo.<\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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New York, 11 November 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

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I. INTRODUCTION<\/p>\n

Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n

I am here today to present the report of the Commissioner-General to the General Assembly for 2018 and brief the 4th Committee on the operational and other developments affecting UNRWA, The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. I will also discuss the outlook for the period ahead.<\/p>\n

I am honored to return to the Agency, which I first joined in 1989 in Gaza, during the \u201cfirst Intifada\u201d.\u00a0 Since then I have served in various capacities both in the field and here in Headquarters including being\u00a0heavily involved in the Secretary-General\u2019s recent reforms.<\/p>\n

II. ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATE: LEADERSHIP CHANGES<\/p>\n

On the 17th<\/sup>\u00a0of August, I assumed the functions of the Deputy Commissioner-General, having been appointed by the Secretary-General soon after the departure of Ms. Sandra Mitchell. With Pierre Kr\u00e4henb\u00fchl\u2019s resignation as Commissioner-General on 6 November the Secretary-General asked that I assume the role of Officer-in-Charge of UNRWA.\u00a0 It is in this context that I am presenting the annual report of the Commissioner-General to the General Assembly today.<\/p>\n

III. STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH, MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES<\/p>\n

Under the present circumstances, with the unexpected departure of the senior leadership, ensuring continuity of our operations and providing strong leadership with a focus on essential reforms are our priorities.<\/p>\n

These are extraordinarily difficult circumstances for any organization. They are exacerbated by the Agency\u2019s worst cash-flow situation in its 70 year history. These are critical challenges requiring urgent attention and we will need your strong support as we move forward in order to successfully navigate through this difficult period.<\/p>\n

Externally I continue reaching out to our partners, bilateral and multilateral, within our areas of operation as well as in capitals, as well as through the Permanent Missions here in New York.\u00a0 Engagement has been positive and candid – as it should be.<\/p>\n

Events leading to UNRWA\u2019s rapid leadership transition prompted an internal review and the development of a\u00a0range of management initiatives.\u00a0I should stress at this point that the Agency\u2019s resilience is remarkable. Despite the extraordinarily challenging situation, the Agency has regained focus and worked diligently\u00a0on how it can emerge stronger and ensure it is better able to implement its mandate to the benefit of Palestine refugees. They include:<\/p>\n