In order to further international efforts to find a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue, diplomats gathered at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday to set the stage for a pivotal international meeting in June. In order to coordinate expectations and finalize plans for eight topic roundtables that would influence the conference’s outcome, the preparatory session gathered together UN Member States.
How is the UN pushing for urgent progress now?
Philémon Yang, president of the General Assembly, urged nations to take advantage of the vital chance to ultimately advance.
“We must act immediately to put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in light of the atrocities we have seen in Gaza for more than nineteen months. “We cannot permit the terrible cycles of death, destruction, and displacement to persist,” he declared.
Permanent war, protracted occupation, or annexation are not viable solutions to this dispute. Only when Israelis and Palestinians can coexist peacefully, securely, and with dignity in their own sovereign, independent states will it be ended,” he continued.
Co-chairs France and Saudi Arabia stressed that the June meeting must accomplish tangible outcomes on the ground rather than just restating ideals.
“It is imperative that we go from words to actions. French President Emmanuel Macron’s advisor for the Middle East and North Africa, Anne-Claire Legendre, stated,
“We need to go beyond just ending the war in Gaza to ending the conflict itself.” “The chances of a Palestinian State must be preserved in light of the reality on the ground. Concrete measures for its execution, as well as irreversible steps, are required.”
How will the conference document guide future peace?
In resolution ES-10/24, the General Assembly agreed to hold the conference. Resolution 79/81 provided more information. The Conference will create an action-oriented result paper titled “Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and implementation of the two-State solution,” in accordance with General Assembly resolution 79/81. According to UN resolutions, the goal is to draw a distinct and unchangeable course toward a comprehensive, equitable, and long-lasting peace.
What concrete steps are expected from June’s meeting?
Prior to Member State and observer comments, the conference will have a plenary session with speeches from the UN Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly, and the co-chairs.
The conference will also include eight topic roundtables, each focusing on important aspects of the two-state solution, according to a concept note from the co-chairs. The working groups cover humanitarian relief and rehabilitation, the economic feasibility of a Palestinian State, and security considerations for both Israelis and Palestinians.
