Islamabad: Foreign Ministers from Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed the indispensable role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in protecting the rights and well-being of Palestinian refugees.

According to Radio Pakistan, in a joint statement, the eight Foreign Ministers emphasized UNRWA’s fulfillment of its unique mandate under UN General Assembly Resolution 302 (1949). This mandate includes providing protection, education, healthcare, social services, and emergency aid to millions of refugees. The ministers highlighted the recent UN General Assembly decision to renew UNRWA’s mandate for another three years, reflecting strong international confidence in the agency’s crucial work.

The Foreign Ministers condemned the storming of UNRWA’s headquarters in East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood by Israeli forces. They described it as a blatant violation of international law and the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion, which requires the occupying power to facilitate and not hinder UNRWA’s operations.

They called on the international community to ensure sustainable funding for UNRWA and to provide the political and operational space needed for the agency to continue its vital mission.