STATEMENT  BY MR. SURESH KUMAR, SECOND SECRETARY ON  THE AGENDA ITEM 50 UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA) AT THE SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE (FOURTH COMMITTEE) OF THE 69TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON NOVEMBER 04, 2014

Mr. Chairman,

  At the outset, I would like to applaud the excellent work being carried out by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and particularly the dedication, diligence and perseverance with which UNRWA conducts itself to fulfill its mandate in the best possible manner. I also congratulate Commissioner General Mr. Pierre Krahenbuhl for his able leadership and thank him for very useful briefing today. I wish UNRWA success in its endeavours.

Mr. Chairman,

2.  Inspired by its own freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi and also guided by its philosophical tradition to see the world as one family and its steadfast belief in universal peace, security, justice, dignity, prosperity and development for all, India is committed to supporting Palestine. As a member of the Security Council during 2011-12, India supported Palestine s bid for full membership of the United Nations. It also co-sponsored the General Assembly resolution in November 2012 that upgraded the status of Palestine to a non member Observer State. India will continue its full support for Palestine to become a Member-State of the United Nations.

Mr. Chairman,

3.  Apart from strong political support to the Palestinian cause at international, regional and bilateral levels, India has consistently been extending technical and financial assistance to the Palestine. The assistance has been for humanitarian relief, development projects, establishment of educational institutions, budgetary support, training of Palestinian officials etc. Additionally, India contributes US$ 1 million annually to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The last such contribution was presented to the Commissioner-General of UNRWA in September 2013. 

4.  India has also pledged US$ 4 million in response to the National Early Recovery & Reconstruction Plan for Gaza presented by the Palestinian Authority during the Cairo Conference on Palestine & Reconstructing Gaza held on October 12, 2014.

5.  Jointly with Brazil & South Africa as partners in IBSA, India is also implementing developmental projects in Palestine. In addition to the two on-going projects, the IBSA Foreign Ministers in their recent meeting in New York on September 24, 2014 jointly announced a new project for the reconstruction of medical centre Atta Habib in Gaza and pledged US$1 million for the project.

Mr. Chairman,

6.  Given the current fragile and unpredictable situation and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East region, the role of UNRWA in providing critical assistance to the Palestinian refugees has assumed even greater significance. This is UNRWA's continued pursuit of its mandate, despite a confrontational atmosphere, that has truly become an epitome of the international community s commitment to the well-being of the Palestinian refugees until a just and durable settlement of the issue is achieved. India, therefore, commends UNRWA for successfully and diligently carrying out its mandate of serving nearly 5 million Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank and the Gaza Strip under extremely difficult conditions. India also acknowledges and commends the invaluable cooperation extended to UNRWA s work by the host countries.

Mr. Chairman,

7.  In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate India s consistent and long-standing support for the Palestinian cause. We remain firm in our support for a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side and at peace with Israel. India will also continue to support Palestine s bid for full and equal membership of the United Nations.

8.  I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

*********