(AseanAll)  — Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Retno Marsudi attended the Ministerial Meeting in support of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly Session in New York. 

The meeting was attended by various UN country representatives who highlighted the serious challenges facing UNRWA as well as collective steps to strengthen support for the UN Agency, as well as supporting the rights of Palestinian refugees.

"It is hard to imagine how the humanitarian situation (in Palestine) would be today, if there was no UNRWA on the ground," Retno said, reiterating Indonesia's full support for UNRWA. According to Retno, there are two main things needed to support UNRWA, namely

First, political support. Retno stressed that there is no alternative to UNRWA to help the humanitarian situation in Palestine, and therefore it is important to protect UNRWA's mandate from political pressure and attempts to delegitimise the UN Agency. "A threat to UNRWA is a threat to humanity," Retno emphasised.

Second, financial support. Retno invited all countries to provide financial support for UNRWA. Retno mentioned that Indonesia has provided concrete support by doubling the annual contribution to UNRWA by 2024, and has also contributed to support UNRWA's Flash Appeal.

Closing her speech, Retno emphasised that UNRWA's work is not a substitute for a just solution to the Palestinian refugee problem. "It is a humanitarian response to a protracted political crisis," Retno said.

UNRWA has become the main platform for humanitarian assistance to Palestine. "Supporting UNRWA is not an act of charity, but a fundamental investment in humanity, stability, and regional peace," Retno said.

Retno also called on the international community to immediately recognise the State of Palestine and its full membership in the UN. "This is the only way to put political pressure on Israel, and the only way we can achieve a two-state solution," Retno concluded.