In their capacity as co-chairs of the High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Question and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic issued a joint statement marking the conclusion of the summit held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on September 22, 2025.
The statement described the event as a historic turning point for peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
- A Historic Gathering for Peace
We, the leaders of Saudi Arabia and France, commend the nations that convened in New York on September 22, 2025, for a momentous diplomatic effort aimed at resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This summit represents a critical juncture in the pursuit of lasting peace and regional stability.
- Adoption of the New York Declaration
The conference culminated in the adoption of the New York Declaration, which received overwhelming support from the UN General Assembly with 142 votes in favor. This ambitious document reaffirms the international community’s unwavering commitment to the two-state solution and outlines an irreversible path toward a better future for Palestinians, Israelis, and all peoples of the region.
- Addressing the Crisis in Gaza
As the summit convened, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continued to escalate, with Israeli ground operations intensifying and civilians withstanding most of the violence. The New York Declaration offers a principled and realistic alternative to the cycle of war and suffering.
- From Words to Action
We call on the international community to move beyond rhetoric and take decisive steps. We commend the work of the 17 task force chairs who developed a roadmap for swift implementation of the two-state solution. We urge all nations to act promptly and irreversibly to operationalize the New York Declaration, and we welcome the pledges already made by UN member states.
- Recognition of the State of Palestine
We warmly welcome the formal recognition of the State of Palestine by Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and France, as announced today at the UN General Assembly. We call on all remaining countries to join this growing international consensus.
- Humanitarian Priorities
Ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages remain our highest priorities. We call for a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, prisoner exchanges, unrestricted humanitarian access throughout Gaza, and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.
- Stabilization and Security
To ensure a viable post-conflict future, we support the deployment of a temporary international stabilization mission, invited by the Palestinian Authority and mandated by the UN Security Council, in line with the New York Declaration. We also reaffirm our commitment to strengthening Palestinian police and security forces through existing programs, including the US Security Coordinator (USSC), the EU Police Mission (EUPOL COPPS), and the EU Border Assistance Mission at Rafah (EUBAM Rafah).
- Unified Governance
We stress the importance of reunifying Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. We endorse the PA’s declared policy of “One State, One Government, One Law, One Weapon,” and pledge continued support for its implementation. In the context of ending the war in Gaza, we reaffirm the necessity of dismantling Hamas’s rule, disarming its forces, and transferring control to the Palestinian Authority with international backing.
- Vision for a Palestinian State
This conference and the growing recognition of Palestine aim to realize a sovereign, democratic, and economically viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel. We commend President Mahmoud Abbas’s historic commitments, including his rejection of violence and terrorism, his affirmation that Palestine will not be a militarized state, and his readiness to pursue security arrangements that respect sovereignty and serve all parties.
- Governance and Reform
We welcome the reforms initiated by the Palestinian Authority, including:
- The termination of the prisoner stipend system.
- Curriculum reform under EU supervision and with Saudi support.
- A commitment to hold transparent presidential and legislative elections within one year of a ceasefire, allowing democratic competition among factions aligned with the PLO’s charter and principles.
We support President Abbas in advancing further governance reforms.
- Emergency Financial Support
We welcome the launch of the Emergency Coalition for Palestine, aimed at mobilizing urgent financial support for the Palestinian Authority’s budget. We call on all nations and international organizations to join this effort. We renew our demand that Israel release withheld Palestinian clearance revenues and commit to reviewing the Paris Protocol to establish a new framework for revenue transfers.
- Call to Israel
We urge the Israeli leadership to seize this opportunity for peace by publicly committing to the two-state solution, ending violence and incitement against Palestinians, halting settlement expansion and land confiscation, and ceasing annexation efforts in occupied Palestinian territory. As a first step, we call for the withdrawal of the E1 settlement plan and a public renunciation of any annexation agenda. The international community views any form of annexation as a red line with grave consequences and a direct threat to future peace agreements.
- International Accountability
We welcome concrete measures taken by member states in response to unilateral actions that undermine the two-state solution and violate international law. These actions will continue until Israel halts practices that threaten peace and stability, in accordance with international legal standards.
- Regional Integration and Security
Ending the Israeli occupation and achieving a just and lasting peace based on relevant UN resolutions is the only path to full regional integration, as outlined in the Arab Peace Initiative. We support efforts to explore the creation of a regional security framework that ensures safety for all, drawing on models such as ASEAN and OSCE. We also reaffirm our support for reviving the Syrian-Israeli and Lebanese-Israeli peace tracks to achieve comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
- A Call to the World
We renew our call for all nations to join this global momentum to secure peace and security for all peoples of the Middle East, and to achieve mutual recognition and full regional integration.
