New York (ANTARA) - Foreign Minister Sugiono has firmly declared that political support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is not a matter of choice, but essential.
Speaking at the High-Level Ministerial Meeting on UNRWA held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Thursday, Minister Sugiono underscored the urgency of reinforcing the agency’s mandate.
"Political support is not optional, but essential, particularly the renewal of its mandate,” he asserted.
Minister Sugiono emphasized Indonesia’s presence at the meeting as a reiteration of its unwavering support for UNRWA, whose work he described as not only vital but it is visible for millions of Palestinian refugees who rely on its services.
He further highlighted that UNRWA is also an integral part of multilateralism. However, it has faced unprecedented challenges—both political and financial pressure.
“It consists of political pressure, financial shortfalls, efforts to delete the demise or even dismantle the agency altogether,” he stated.
Politically, UNRWA's work has been obstructed by Israel, including through the banning of its activities in the occupied Palestinian territories and the termination of the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA—which revoked the privileges and immunities of UNRWA personnel.
UNRWA's funding has also been severely reduced due to the withdrawal of financial support by several countries. As the agency relies heavily on voluntary contributions, it now faced significant difficulties in maintaining its operations.
Indonesia also highlighted the UN Aid Initiatives launched by the Secretary-General, particularly Workstream 3 and the evolving structure within the UN Secretariat.
According to Sugiono, it is essential to ensure that this process does not diminish or alter UNRWA’s mandate, especially its role in upholding the rights of Palestinian refugees.
“Moreover, since sustained and predictable funding is the lifeline of UNRWA's operations, Indonesia remains committed to contributing to UNRWA both through our government and through other innovative channels,” he concluded.
