After the UNRWA Pledging Conference, 118 UN member states officially declared their participation in the Joint Commitments Initiative led by Jordan, Kuwait, and Slovenia, to support the important, life-saving word of the UNRWA.
The initiative aims to provide support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) amidst political and financial challenges, highlighting its crucial role in delivering services to Palestinian refugees and maintaining regional stability.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at the UN headquarters in New York, after the annual meeting held to gather support for the UNRWA to continue its crucial work.
“We are pleased to announce the UNRWA Short-Term Commitment Initiative, which was spearheaded by Slovenia, Jordan, and Kuwait, and was initially launched by a coalition of 16 countries to provide support to the Agency,” stated Jordan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud.
Hmoud stated that 118 countries have now joined the initiative, as of Friday evening (Jerusalem time), and that he has received inquiries from other nations expressing interest in participating.
He also urged all member states to consider joining the initiative, emphasizing that it is open for signature by any member state at any time.
Hmoud emphasized the critical importance of backing UNRWA during this challenging period, stating that “the agency serves as a vital lifeline for Palestine refugees across all its operational areas, and there is no other UN-affiliated or humanitarian organization capable of fulfilling the essential functions that UNRWA provides, particularly in the realms of education, healthcare, and livelihood support in operational areas, including the occupied Palestinian territory.”
On her part, Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon emphasized the crucial role of UNRWA in saving lives daily and expressed gratitude to the Jordanian and Kuwaiti foreign ministers for their efforts in supporting this initiative.
Fajon highlighted the significance of the joint commitments as a strong political endorsement for UNRWA.
She underscored the Agency’s vital role in providing life-saving assistance to generations of Palestine refugees, as mandated by the General Assembly, and stated that the initiative is a testament to UNRWA’s important role.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini expressed his gratitude for the strong backing and unity shown not only towards the Agency, but also towards its employees. He highlighted that the Joint Commitment Initiative also encompassed all members of the Security Council.
Lazzarini emphasized the significance of the day for the agency amidst the intense politically motivated attacks it was enduring, and underscored the importance of member states reiterating their support and trust in the agency.
The UN Chief also mentioned that this dedication is a recognition of the hard work of the Agency’s staff who operate under challenging and unprecedented conditions, indicating that it is proof that UNRWA is, and will continue to be, the cornerstone of the humanitarian response.
According to Lazzarini, this commitment also signifies that there is no alternative but a political resolution to enable the agency to carry out its operations, upon which millions of individuals rely.
In May, the ambassadors of Jordan, Kuwait, and Slovenia to the United Nations introduced a collaborative commitment initiative to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), “acknowledging the numerous operational, political, and financial obstacles facing UNRWA, particularly in recent months.”
Fajon also acknowledged the essential role of UNRWA in humanitarian responses in Gaza and commended the dedication of the Secretary-General and the Commissioner-General in fulfilling the Agency’s mission.
She stressed the importance of implementing the recommendations of the Independent Review Group’s report on UNRWA, ensuring adequate and sustainable funding, and fostering cooperation among all States and UN bodies to support UNRWA’s vision and work.
