General Assembly General Assembly

Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

(June 2, 2023; 1000 hrs. EST)

Mr. President,

Thank you for convening the meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the announcement of voluntary contributions to UNRWA. I thank Secretary-General António Guterres and the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, for their remarks.

  1. India has emphasized that only a negotiated two-State solution leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, taking into consideration Israel’s legitimate security concerns, can deliver lasting peace.

Mr. President, 

  1. The living conditions of over 5 million Palestinian refugees continue to remain precarious. UNRWA plays a critical role as a provider of development, humanitarian and social services to the Palestinian refugee community living in Palestine, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. The Agency’s services also contribute to the overall stability in the region.

    2.  

  2. India supports the work of the UNRWA. We appreciate the steps taken by the Agency in enhancing transparency in its operations and adherence to the UN standards in humanitarian services and urge utmost diligence on the part of UNRWA to ensure that aid is not misused or misappropriated for wrongful purposes, including in the education sector.

Mr. President,

  1. We heard from both the Secretary General and the Commissioner-General of the UNRWA about the urgent need for financial support for the agency. The funding gap for the Agency’s core program budget has persisted and worsened with every passing year. Responding to the appeal, India enhanced its annual contribution to the Agency from US$ 1.25 million to US$ 5 million in 2018 and has contributed US$ 25 million over the last five years.

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  2. India, over the years, has also continued to remain a committed development partner of Palestine, supporting its nation-building efforts. We are actively engaged in extending technical and developmental assistance to improve the lives of the Palestinian people. Our developmental support to the people of Palestine will continue.
  1. I hereby reiterate India’s steadfast support for UNRWA under the able leadership of its Commissioner-General. I thank you Mr. President.

 

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