14.10.2014 – ODG 

Riyad Al-Malki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Palestine meets with UNESCO Director-General

Mr. Al-Malki thanked UNESCO for its contribution to relief and recovery efforts in Gaza within its fields of competence, in particular education.  Referring specifically to the Cairo Conference and the longer-term challenges ahead for the reconstruction of Gaza, Mr. Al-Malki stressed the unprecedented scale of needs resulting both from physical destruction and damage, as well as from the psycho-social distress of affected civilian populations. He praised the UN-wide response at the Cairo Conference. He noted that the reconstruction of Gaza should fully integrate a process of healing the suffering and hardships endured by the people in Gaza, bringing back hope and confidence in the future.

In this connection, Minister Al-Malki emphasized the value of the partnership between UNESCO and his Government and expressed satisfaction with UNESCO’s participation in the Cairo Conference and active engagement in the Âé¶¹APP Support Plan to the “National Early Recovery and Reconstruction Plan” presented, in Cairo, by the Government of Palestine.

The Director-General thanked Minister Al-Malki for his visit and stressed that UNESCO would spare no efforts in contributing to the recovery and reconstruction in Gaza in its fields of competence.