The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). 60th Anniversary
Historical archive
Published under: Stoltenberg's 2nd Government
Publisher: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Input for UNRWA’s Commemorative Book
Speech/statement | Date: 24/09/2009
Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has written this input for UNRWA's Commemorative Book regarding the organisation's 60th anniversary 24 September 2009 in New York.
The importance of UNRWA in the Middle East is greater than ever, 60 years after its inception.
No UN organisation or programme has been so closely linked, for so long, with the history of a people. For six decades, UNRWA has been the lifeline for generations of Palestinian refugees. Besides providing basic services such as education and health care, UNRWA represents hope for a population deprived of the rights taken for granted by those of us living in more peaceful parts of the world.
UNRWA is indeed the face of humanity, the bearer of human rights and democracy, and the guarantor of protection for women and children in a region torn by conflict and violence.
The commemoration of UNRWA’s 60th anniversary takes place at a time when peace seems elusive. Political decisions on both sides of the conflict seem to be guided by what separates rather than what units. Under such circumstances, efforts to keep society from unravelling are essential for regional stability. UNRWA is at the core of these efforts.
We, the international community, are forever grateful for the thousands of devoted UNRWA employees who have worked tirelessly for the care and protection of human life over all these years. We remain strongly committed and dedicated to the further support of UNRWA and its work.