Jordan to host conference to support UNRWA

AMMAN — Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono agreed on Wednesday that Japan would co-sponsor a conference on supporting United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

The conference, to be organised by Jordan in cooperation with a number of Arab and friendly countries, aims to garner financial and political support for UNRWA.

The event will be held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly’s meetings in New York next month, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During a phone call with his Japanese counterpart, Safadi praised Japan’s supportive stance towards UNRWA that is facing a financial deficit that threatens its ability to provide vital services to 5 million Palestinian refugees in UNRWA’s five areas of operation.

Jordan is continuing to communicate with Arab and friendly countries to rally support to UNRWA to enable it to continue its services to the Palestinian refugees.

The conference will be co-chaired by Jordan, Sweden, the EU and Turkey, in its capacity as Chairman of the UNRWA advisory committee, as well as Japan.

The conference is a continuation of the efforts that have been exerted by the Kingdom since the beginning of the year to bridge the financial deficit faced by the agency and to mobilise political support for its role, especially the Rome conference in March, which was organised by Jordan, Sweden, Egypt and the EU.

Safadi stressed that the protection of UNRWA is an international political, legal and moral responsibility to protect the right of Palestinian refugees to education, health services and decent living, as well as their right to return and compensation in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.

Safadi will meet tomorrow with the Commissioner General of UNRWA Pierre Krahenbuhl to continue consultations and coordination on means to protect UNRWA and provide the necessary support for it, the statement said. 

During the telephone call, Safadi and Kono affirmed their keenness to increase cooperation and coordination, and reviewed the latest developments in the region.