In Riyadh on October 31, 2024, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, held a meeting with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini. This important diplomatic engagement took place on the sidelines of the first meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, currently being hosted in the Saudi capital.
During their meeting, Prince Faisal and Commissioner-General Lazzarini engaged in a constructive dialogue regarding the longstanding partnership between Saudi Arabia and UNRWA. They examined avenues for further collaboration in the context of supporting Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. Both sides acknowledged the essential role of UNRWA in providing humanitarian assistance and developmental support, especially in regions where Palestinian communities are experiencing heightened challenges.
A significant portion of their discussions centered around the latest developments in the Gaza Strip. With the situation there increasingly dire, they focused on the humanitarian crisis impacting Gaza’s civilian population and addressed the international community’s response to alleviate the suffering. The two leaders underscored the need for coordinated global efforts to meet urgent needs in Gaza and emphasized the ongoing endeavors by various organizations to address the immediate challenges and long-term stability in the region.
The meeting highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause and underscored the Kingdom’s broader role in facilitating peace and security in the Middle East. By hosting this first meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, Saudi Arabia reaffirms its commitment to promoting diplomatic pathways for conflict resolution, stability, and peace in the region.