<\/p>\n
THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
REMARKS FOR THE MINISTERIAL MEETING IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA)<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
New York, 25 September 2025<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n
Following are UN Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres\u2019 remarks to the ministerial meeting in support of the Â鶹APP Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), in New York today:<\/p>\n
I thank Brazil, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Spain for co-chairing this gathering.\u00a0 And I thank all of you for your support for UNRWA.\u00a0 Generations of Palestine refugees have counted on UNRWA for education, healthcare and other essential services.<\/p>\n
Before October\u00a02023, it provided schooling for half a million girls and boys across the region.\u00a0 Today, it delivers emergency food and cash assistance for 2.6\u00a0million people.\u00a0 Its primary clinics handle 10.5\u00a0million visits per year.<\/p>\n
But UNRWA\u2019s full impact goes far deeper.\u00a0 UNRWA is a force for stability in the most unstable region of the world.\u00a0 Its operational presence contributes to the Palestinian Authority\u2019s governance in the West Bank.\u00a0 To Lebanon\u2019s efforts to fulfil requirements for a ceasefire in refugee camps.\u00a0 To Syria\u2019s efforts to navigate a path to lasting peace.\u00a0 And to Jordan\u2019s role in building regional stability.<\/p>\n
UNRWA\u2019s mandate and operations are integral to a large majority of the actions outlined in the New York Declaration endorsed by the General Assembly earlier this month.<\/p>\n
Despite all of this, UNRWA is being forced to operate under extreme and rising pressure.\u00a0 In Gaza, our staff are being killed. \u00a0Our premises destroyed.\u00a0 And everywhere, UNRWA faces budget shortfalls and a firehose of disinformation.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, I commissioned a strategic assessment of the impact and exercise of UNRWA\u2019s mandate under current circumstances.\u00a0 The report, shared with the General Assembly in July, reached three core conclusions:<\/p>\n
First, UNRWA has made invaluable contributions to development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security, including for Israel.<\/p>\n
Second, UNRWA is under such severe constraints that the status quo is untenable.<\/p>\n
Third, Member States must take immediate action. \u00a0The conditions under which the Agency works are deteriorating every day.<\/p>\n
UNRWA is vital to any prospects for peace and stability in the region.\u00a0 I urge you to do all you can to support its work.<\/p>\n
How?<\/p>\n
First, by standing in solidarity. \u00a0By providing political support. \u00a0By countering the distortions that threaten one of the only lifelines many Palestine refugees have left.<\/p>\n
And second, by ensuring that UNRWA has the resources to carry out its mandate.\u00a0 It must be funded urgently. \u00a0Fully. \u00a0And predictably.<\/p>\n
UNRWA was always meant to be a humanitarian stopgap until a political solution could be found.\u00a0 This General Assembly began this week on a strong note with unprecedented global support for a two-State solution.<\/p>\n
But we know the realities on the ground are bleaker than ever.\u00a0We will not relent in working for peace.\u00a0But until a political solution is achieved, UNRWA remains crucial in helping us steer towards achieving the best possible outcome and avoiding the worst.<\/p>\n
Finally, allow me to say a special word about our UNRWA staff in Gaza.\u00a0 I cannot begin to express the depth of my admiration, respect and gratitude.\u00a0 More than 370 of our dear colleagues have been killed.\u00a0 Every single one has endured unimaginable loss.\u00a0 Homes and communities destroyed.\u00a0 Entire families wiped from existence.<\/p>\n
Yet, somehow, in the face of this relentless horror, they persevere.\u00a0 They keep going \u2014 often without sleep, often without food \u2014 driven by a profound sense of duty and compassion.\u00a0 They keep serving the people of Gaza with courage and selflessness that inspires the world.\u00a0 We will never forget their heroism.<\/p>\n
I appeal to you today to provide the funding and political support UNRWA needs to help build peace and stability \u2014 for Palestinians, for Israel and for the region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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