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Delivered By: Her Excellency Lana Nusseibeh, Ambassador and Permanent Representative

Excellencies, colleagues,

I’d like to thank you for holding this important meeting today. I wish to express our sincere appreciation to Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, and to UNRWA’s staff.

You have made tireless efforts in improving the situation of Palestinians, and in particular, those civilians affected by the earthquake in the region and the ongoing violence in Gaza.

At the outset, the UAE maintains a permanent and historical commitment to the Palestinian people, including Palestinian refugees.  

Not only does UNRWA play a vital role in improving the lives of millions of Palestinian refugees, the agency contributes to maintaining regional security and stability.

During the period of 2018 to 2023, the UAE assistance to Palestine amounted to 521 million US dollars, including 119.3 million US dollars through UNRWA.

The UAE pledged 25 million US dollars to Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem in coordination with the World Health Organisation. It plays a key role in providing healthcare to the Palestinian community while also serving as a teaching hospital and a research facility.

As the Secretary-General noted, UNRWA’s current financial situation is precarious and the agency’s future hangs in the balance. Through the UAE’s support we aim to contribute to a more predictable and sustained funding of the Agency.

In this regard, we are pleased to announce that the UAE will donate 4 million US dollars to UNRWA over the next two years.

In conclusion, Mr. President, while we are working to alleviate the plight of the Palestinian refugees and improve their difficult humanitarian conditions, we should also focus on the political track. We must remain committed to the two-State solution, where an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, lives side by side with Israel in peace, security, and mutual recognition.

I would also like to affirm that the UAE is committed to fulfilling its humanitarian duty to support populations in crisis around the world. We will continue to cooperate and work with international partners and relevant United Nations institutions in this field.

Thank you.