New York: Noting that global attention is on their meeting today, ministers and other speakers in the General Assembly acknowledged expectations to deliver an effective response to the destruction of an entire population and a peaceful path for a viable Palestinian State. Co-chaired by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of France and Saudi Arabia, the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution continued today. Held pursuant to General Assembly resolution 79/81 to advance the implementation of UN resolutions pertaining to the question of Palestine and the two-State solution, the Conference resumed on 28 July and will continue through 30 July.
According to EMM, the conference saw numerous speakers reaffirming their support for the Palestinian Authority and highlighting ongoing efforts to advance the realization of the two-State solution. Luca Beccari, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Political Affairs, International Economic Cooperation and Digital Transition of San Marino, emphasized his Government’s commitment to recognize the State of Palestine by the end of 2025, framing it as a principled stance grounded in values such as the rejection of war and the right of peoples to self-determination.
Jun Zhai, Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue, reiterated China’s support for the Palestinian Authority’s governance and capacity. He highlighted China’s role in fostering reconciliation among Palestinian factions through the Beijing Declaration and pledged continued humanitarian and development assistance.
David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, detailed London’s renewed financial support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and announced the United Kingdom’s conditional recognition of the State of Palestine, dependent on Israel’s actions towards peace.
Vahan Kostanyan, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Armenia, announced an agreement to protect endangered Palestinian cultural heritage by temporarily safeguarding it at Armenia’s Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts.
Speakers also highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with calls for accountability for violations committed by Israel. Celinda Sosa Lunda, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bolivia, and other representatives urged accountability for those financing violence in Gaza. The representative of Venezuela called on the United States to end its complicity with Israel, noting that its use of veto power fuels impunity.
Nuh Yilmaz, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Trkiye, criticized Israel’s ongoing occupation and attacks, framing them as part of a strategy to export instability. He stressed the importance of establishing a sovereign Palestinian State as a solution to the conflict.
Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, rejected the notion that recognizing the State of Palestine rewards terrorism, affirming it as a right to Statehood. She urged immediate action to prevent further loss of life in Gaza, expressing solidarity with the people of Gaza and their right to peace.