Ministerial meeting of the international donor group for Palestine

‘The current situation  is very challenging. The meeting in New York will be important to re-confirm international support for a negotiated two-state solution. Sustainable Palestinian institutions are a vital condition for the two-state solution. It is also essential to take significant steps to strengthen the Palestinian economy,’ said Ms Eriksen Søreide.

Over the last year, the donor group has intensified efforts to improve the situation in Gaza.

‘I visited Gaza in August. The humanitarian situation there has reached a critical level. We must use this ministerial meeting to put in place concrete humanitarian measures that can improve living conditions for the population of Gaza,’ said Ms Eriksen Søreide.

The UN will host the meeting. The Palestinian Authority will be represented by Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and Finance Minister Shukri Bishara, while Minister of Regional Affairs Tzachi Hanegbi will represent Israel. Other participants at the meeting will be EU High Representative and Vice-President Federica Mogherini and ministers and representatives from the largest donor countries, including US Special Envoy Jason Greenblatt.

‘The AHLC is the only existing forum where Palestinian and Israeli authorities currently meet to discuss practical avenues for cooperation,’ said Ms Eriksen Søreide.

The international donor group for Palestine was established in 1993 after the conclusion of the first Oslo Accord, and aims to build the institutional and financial basis for a negotiated two-state solution. This is the only international forum where both parties participate in dialogue with donors and with the international community regarding the two-state solution and Palestinian state building.

The ministerial meeting will take place on Thursday 27 September in Conference Room 8 in the UN headquarters from 15:00 to 17:00 hrs. There will be a photo-op prior to the meeting. Foreign Minister Eriksen Søreide will be available for the press after the meeting, at about 17:15.

Press contact: Director of Communications Frode O. Andersen, mobile: +47 917 22 022 (in New York).