Statement at UNRWA pledging conference

Ad Hoc Committee for the purpose of announcing voluntary contributions to UNRWA

Statement delivered by H.E. Minna-Liina Lind, Deputy Minister for Global Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia

New York, 12 July 2024

Excellencies, Colleagues,

We welcome today’s meeting, as UNRWA’s role is crucial and indispensable.

Estonia is extremely concerned about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza where the situation remains unacceptable. We commend the work of UNRWA’s committed staff who continue their work, putting their lives in danger. We condemn the attacks against UNRWA, including its premises in East Jerusalem and are deeply concerned about the proposals to designate UNRWA, a UN agency, a terrorist organisation. We recall the crucial role of UNRWA providing vital services to millions of people in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, thereby helping promote stability in the region. In this regard, Estonia has joined the shared commitments on UNRWA, we thank Jordan, Kuwait and Slovenia for their initiative.

Estonia has been a long-term contributor to UNRWA. This includes over 1 million euros in support to UNRWA’s activities since 2020. Estonia has already transferred its regular funding support to UNRWA for 2024 and 2025. In addition, Estonia has more than doubled its humanitarian assistance to the civilians in Gaza in response to the UN flash appeal at the end of 2023 through UNRWA, WFP and UNICEF. In response to the UN emergency humanitarian appeal in 2024, Estonia allocated additional 120 000 euros to humanitarian aid in Gaza, including 30 000 euros to UNRWA.

The full implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Review Group report, in line with the Action Plan presented by UNRWA, is essential for our continued cooperation. We underline the importance of UNRWA’s efforts to improve its transparency and credible mechanisms to ensure compliance with the humanitarian principles. We will follow UNRWA’s progress in implementing the recommendations and preserving the neutrality of UNRWA.

We share the concerns about the escalation of the conflict in the region and its potential consequences. Safe, timely and unhindered humanitarian access needs to be ensured and humanitarian aid must reach those in need.

We will continue to work with regional and international partners towards a peace plan and reviving a political process for a two-state solution.

Thank you.