Amman, 15 November 2022 (TDI): The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan, Ayman Safadi participated in United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA advisory committee’s meeting.
The meeting was attended by representatives of UNRWA’s 29 members and four observers. In his opening statement to the meeting, Safadi asked the international community to continue providing the necessary financial support to the UNRWA.
He stressed the significant role of the agency in providing basic services to Palestinian refugees. “UNRWA is indispensable, as the agency must continue to provide vital services to refugees in accordance with the UN mandate,” the Foreign Minister continued.
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He additionally emphasized the requirement to translate the political support for the agency into financial backing that would bridge the agency’s deficit and facilitate it in serving Palestinian refugees.
The General Assembly’s Fourth Committee, voted in favor of the renewal of the agency’s mandate, last week.
Safadi concluded by saying that the UNRWA’s support represents support for the refugees’ right to live in dignity and for efforts to establish security and stability.
Meeting with UNRWA’s Commissioner-General
On the sidelines of the Advisory Committee meeting, Ayman Safadi met with the UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini.
Both officials discussed the continuous coordination and the challenges faced by the agency as well as ways to tackle them.
The Foreign Minister emphasized that UNRWA should continue its work till the Palestinian expatriate issue is resolved.
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In this vein, he mentioned Resolution No. 194, which guarantees the right to come back and compensation. This is the only way to achieve comprehensive peace in Palestine.
At his turn, Lazzarini appreciated Jordan’s efforts in mobilizing international support for UNRWA and working to provide it with sufficient funding.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Advisory Committee meets twice a year. It discusses issues of concern to the UNRWA and advises and assists the UNRWA Commissioner-General.
