Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed the indispensable role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in protecting the rights and well-being of Palestinian refugees.
In a joint statement, the eight Foreign Ministers said UNRWA has long fulfilled its unique mandate under UN General Assembly Resolution 302 (1949), providing protection, education, healthcare, social services, and emergency aid to millions of refugees.
They noted that the recent UN General Assembly decision to renew UNRWA’s mandate for another three years reflects strong international confidence in the agency’s crucial work.
The Foreign Ministers condemned the Israeli forces’ storming of UNRWA’s headquarters in East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, calling it a blatant violation of international law and the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion, which obliges the occupying power to facilitate and not hinder the UNRWA’s operations.
They urged the international community to ensure sustainable funding for UNRWA and to provide the political and operational space needed for the agency to continue its vital mission.
