{"id":275991,"date":"2024-03-04T18:07:22","date_gmt":"2024-03-04T23:07:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/78\/?p=275991"},"modified":"2024-03-04T18:07:32","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T23:07:32","slug":"pga-remarks-at-the-informal-plenary-of-the-general-assembly-to-hear-a-briefing-on-the-united-nations-relief-and-works-agency-for-palestine-refugees-in-the-near-east-unrwa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/78\/2024\/03\/04\/pga-remarks-at-the-informal-plenary-of-the-general-assembly-to-hear-a-briefing-on-the-united-nations-relief-and-works-agency-for-palestine-refugees-in-the-near-east-unrwa\/","title":{"rendered":"PGA Remarks at the Informal Plenary of the General Assembly to hear a Briefing on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,<\/b><\/p>\n

Mr. Dennis Francis,<\/b><\/p>\n

at the Informal Plenary of the General Assembly to hear a Briefing on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA)<\/b><\/p>\n

4 March 2024<\/b><\/p>\n

[As delivered]<\/b><\/p>\n

Video link<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini,<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Excellencies, Distinguished delegates,<\/i><\/p>\n

We gather again today under ominous and worsening circumstances, to say the least.<\/p>\n

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East \u2013 or Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA, which was mandated by this Assembly \u2013 faces\u00a0imminent collapse<\/b>.<\/p>\n

The absolute gravity of the situation has been underscored in distressing letters \u2013 not one but two \u2013 which I have received from Commissioner-General Lazzarini.<\/p>\n

I welcome and thank the Commissioner General for being here today, to provide a brief to the membership on the situation on the ground.<\/p>\n

You and your predecessors have been steadfast in your leadership \u2013 as you dedicated yourselves tirelessly to the mandate of this irreplaceable Agency.<\/p>\n

On behalf of this Assembly, and indeed on my own behalf, I also take this opportunity to acknowledge and express my utmost gratitude for the indefatigable efforts of all Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA staff members who are faithfully serving the Agency \u2013 recently in what anyone would describe as impossible, nightmarish circumstances.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Excellencies,<\/i><\/p>\n

In the absence of a comprehensive, just, and lasting two-State solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA has been the only lifeline for the people of Palestine and their future.<\/p>\n

Consider what the Agency has provided through the years:<\/p>\n