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Press Statement by the Middle East Quartet Envoys

Oslo, 18 November 2021

The Envoys of the Middle East Quartet from the European Union, the Russian Federation, the United States, and the United Nations met in person in Oslo, Norway following an important meeting of the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee addressing the Palestinian economic situation.

The Envoys welcome steps announced by Israel to reach out to the Palestinian Authority and to assist with the fiscal crisis. The Envoys remain deeply concerned by developments in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, including ongoing acts of violence in the West Bank, the advancement of new settlement units, the untenable fiscal crisis within the Palestinian Authority and threats of violence from the Gaza Strip.

In this context, the Quartet highlights the urgent need for​ all parties to take additional steps to address these challenges directly through fiscal and other reforms, as well as to avoid unilateral steps that exacerbate tensions and undermine the prospects for peace.

The Envoys noted the pressing need to address the fragile situation in Gaza -- with the support of all relevant stakeholders, including in the region -- by ensuring continued humanitarian efforts and an easing of access and movement restrictions for people and goods.

The Quartet Envoys highlighted the urgency of the situation and the importance of taking constructive steps to advance a two-State solution. They further underscored the importance of respect for human rights and the actions of civil society groups.

Finally, the Envoys agreed to work toward a resolution of the conflict and continue consultations with the parties and key regional actors.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

VIDEO REMARKS TO UNRWA CONFERENCE

Brussels 16 November 2021

I am pleased to join you in this critical conference in support of UNRWA.

My thanks to the governments of Jordan and Sweden for organizing this event and to all of you for being here.

You understand the essential role that UNRWA plays in the lives of generations of Palestine refugees.

UNRWA today is providing more than half a million children with high quality education;

Investing in human development;

Ensuring that Palestine refugees -- children, youth, the elderly and persons with disabilities– have lifelines of hope and opportunity;

Managing the impact of shocks on the most vulnerable;

And empowering millions, despite the many obstacles and difficult conditions in which they live.

Through all of these efforts and more,

UNRWA is also enabling many of them to make extraordinary contributions to their communities and to the world at large.

And UNRWA is playing a pivotal role in promoting regional stability.

UN Member States have agreed on UNRWA’s comprehensive mandate for decades.

And yet UNRWA continues to face an existential crisis. We need to protect UNRWA from being used as a political pawn – and focus on its ability to carry out its General Assembly mandate and its unrelenting commitment to humanitarian principles and shared UN values.

Despite widely recognized achievements, UNRWA is prevented from assisting Palestine refugees in a predictable way.

Overwhelming support for UNRWA is not adequately matched by sufficient funding for its operations.

These recurring funding crises have led UNRWA to introduce austerity measures.

But these have reached their limits. What UNRWA really needs is adequate resources, including human resources.

I have put forward a proposal to the General Assembly for additional posts from the UN Regular Budget as a step to increase the core capacity of the Agency.

Today, I have two specific requests:

First, we need urgent and decisive support to maintain UNRWA’s ability to operate this year. We must bridge the immediate funding gap. UNRWA’s essential health, education and services must not be interrupted. A disruption of services and salaries would have a crippling impact – especially in a region already struggling with the consequences of the pandemic. These repeated funding crises affect the quality of UNRWA’s services and impose immense stress on Palestine refugees.

Second, I urge Member States to step up longer-term commitments and solidarity and match the generosity of the countries that host Palestine refugees. We need to collectively find a path towards more predictable, sufficient and sustainable funding for the Agency, including through multi-year commitments. I ask for your support.

Finally, I know you join me in expressing deep admiration for UNRWA’s work -- day in day out. The teachers, the doctors and nurses, the sanitation workers, the engineers, and so many others -- all are working under extreme duress to provide Palestine refugees with access to basic services that all of us take for granted.

I am grateful to all UNRWA staff for their tireless efforts to deliver, protect the rights of Palestine refugees and support their human development. Let’s help them help Palestine refugees. An investment in UNRWA is an investment in peace and hope. Thank you.

Watch the video: https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+9+Nov+21/2683744_MSG+SG+UNRWA+PLEDGING+CONFERENCE+09+NOV+21.mp4

Secretary-General's message to the UN International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East

16 November 2021

Welcome to the 2021 United Nations International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East.

This year’s event also marks the 30th anniversary of the Madrid Peace Conference, a historic moment that led to dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians and established a crucial foundation of peace upon which we must seek to build.

But over the last years, we have witnessed more setbacks.

Many are questioning the viability of a negotiated two-State solution.

We cannot lose hope.

We must explore every opportunity to revitalize the peace process.

I urge Israeli and Palestinian leaders to demonstrate the political will necessary to revive and resume dialogue.

The two‑State solution, as defined by UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements remains the only path to ensuring that Palestinians and Israelis can both realize their legitimate aspirations: an end to the occupation and the realization of two independent, sovereign states, living side‑by‑side in peace and security, based on the 1967 lines, and with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.

The United Nations remains committed to working with Israelis and Palestinians, and with our international and regional partners, including through the Middle East Quartet, to realize this goal.

I also want to recognize your crucial role. Free and independent journalism is a cornerstone of building peaceful societies.

I wish you a successful seminar. Thank you.

Watch the video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoJDDuFnYCk