On Thursday 7 April, the Commissioner-Typical of the United Nations Aid and Functions Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Close to East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, concluded a two-working day go to to Stockholm, in the course of which he held strategic talks with Swedish officials on the long-standing cooperation concerning UNRWA and Sweden and the way forward.
Though on mission, the Commissioner-Normal achieved with the Minister of Overseas Affairs, Ann Linde, Minister for Enhancement Cooperation, Matilda Ernkrans, Sida Deputy Director-Common, Maria Ottosson, as properly as senior authorities officials and parliamentarians to raise recognition on the present difficulties experiencing Palestine refugees.
At the Annual High-Level Consultations on 7 April, Mr. Lazzarini and Swedish Point out Secretary Jenny Ohlsson discussed the Agency’s current monetary crisis, the will need for multi-once-a-year versatile funding, and the function of UNRWA get the job done to uphold humanitarian concepts. Individuals stressed that UNRWA programmes are critical for advancement, stability and security in a extremely volatile area. They emphasized the relevance of UNRWA help to hundreds of thousands of Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Financial institution, which includes east Jerusalem, and Gaza.
In his conferences with Minister Linde and Minister Ernkrans, conversations concentrated on the troubles confronting UNRWA, avenues to continue offering helpful and sustainable companies, and techniques to more greatly enhance the robust partnership with Sweden.
Swedish Minister of Overseas Affairs Ann Linde said: “I experienced a very good assembly with Commissioner-Basic Philippe Lazzarini in Stockholm to abide by up on the Intercontinental Convention on UNRWA held final November and co-hosted by Sweden and Jordan. UNRWA plays a important position in offering humanitarian help to Palestine refugees till a political remedy has been observed, which includes to the refugee situation.”
Mr. Lazzarini mentioned: “We are sincerely grateful for the steadfast assist from Sweden to Palestine refugees, contributing to UNRWA expert services, notably in well being, schooling, relief and emergency operations. Sweden’s lively engagement and dependable, predictable, flexible support is a lot appreciated at a time when UNRWA faces a continual mismatch concerning obtainable funding and sources desired, contributing to more instability.”
This stop by to Stockholm was also an chance to meet the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Parliament and many other senior officers from the Parliament and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sweden is a important economical and political companion of UNRWA. In 2021, Sweden signed a four-year agreement to contribute to the Agency’s core services for a whole price of SEK 2.1 billion (US$ 240 million) which represents an raise of SEK 220 million (US$ 25 million) from the previous multi-12 months agreement. Likewise, Sweden has been a lead state in chairing UNRWA conferences at Ministerial stage, these kinds of as the 2021 Worldwide Conference on UNRWA, co-hosted with Jordan final November.