At a meeting of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (the Fourth Committee) of the United Nations, the President of the UN General Assembly Volkan Bozkır said that resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains the key to peace in the Middle East.
“The Palestinian issue, which has been a standing item on the UN agenda since its inception, is among the important items on the agenda of this Committee,” he told the meeting.
“After more than seven decades, resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains the key to peace in the Middle East. UN must continue to support Palestinians and Israelis to resolve the conflict on the basis of international law, UN resolutions and bilateral agreements and realizing the two-state solution on the basis of the pre-1967 lines, living side by side in peace and security,” he added.
Bozkir stressed that “the work of the 4th Committee is important for upholding the UN responsibility in this regard and supporting efforts to help the Palestinian people realize their right to self-determination.”
The Fourth Committee also discussed the situation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) with Bozkir urging member states to help the UN agency continue its work in helping Palestine refugees.
“Since 1949, the General Assembly established UNRWA, which provides vital services to the Palestine refugees, 5.6 million, in education, healthcare, relief and social services, protection and emergency assistance. Its mandate has been renewed by the overwhelming majority by the 74th session of the GA. Regrettably, a large funding shortfall remains. UNRWA needs predictable and sustained funding to continue its vital operations,” he said calling on the member states to “make your contributions generously.”
