Supporting UNRWA essential to consolidating region's security and stability, says Sheikh Abdullah

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, affirmed that supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is essential to consolidating security and stability in the region.

He made this statement during his meeting on Sunday in Abu Dhabi with Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, during which they discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and their humanitarian fallout.

The meeting touched on ways to meet the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people, especially in the Gaza Strip, and the efforts to deliver relief and medical aid to civilians.

During the meeting, the UAE top diplomat reiterated the UAE's unwavering support for UNRWA, highlighting that in light of the current challenges, sustaining its humanitarian efforts has become an urgent priority, requiring concerted efforts from the international community to support the agency and all UN efforts made to provide relief to the Palestinian people.

He also expressed his appreciation for the UN and UNRWA's immediate action to investigate the allegations made against a number of individuals, stressing that this step reflects the agency's firm commitment to UN values and its noble humanitarian goals.

Sheikh Abdullah reiterated the call on donor countries that have suspended their funding to UNRWA to reconsider their decision.

He affirmed that UNRWA plays a vital role in relieving the suffering of the Palestinian people, especially those in the Gaza Strip, adding that the UAE is keen to stand by it and support its humanitarian efforts.

The UAE foreign minister also stressed that ending extremism, tensions and violence in the region and reaching a lasting ceasefire is the path to ensuring the protection of all civilians, preventing further loss of life and providing the necessary humanitarian support to the Palestinian people.

The meeting was attended by Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs and UAE's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

WAM