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Seventy-eighth session<\/strong><\/p>\n Agenda item 49<\/p>\n United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 7 December 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n [on the report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A\/78\/420<\/a>, para. 13)]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 78\/73.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The General Assembly<\/em>,<\/p>\n Recalling<\/em> its resolutions 194 (III)<\/a> of 11 December 1948, 212 (III)<\/a> of 19\u00a0November 1948, 302 (IV)<\/a> of 8 December 1949 and all subsequent related resolutions, including its resolution 77\/122<\/a> of 12 December 2022,<\/p>\n Recalling also<\/em> the relevant resolutions of the Security Council,<\/p>\n Having considered<\/em> the report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East covering the period from 1 January to 31 December 2022,[1]<\/a><\/p>\n Taking note<\/em> of the letter dated 21 June 2023 from the Chair of the Advisory Commission of the Agency addressed to the Commissioner-General,[2]<\/a><\/p>\n Underlining<\/em> that, at a time of heightened conflict and instability in the Middle East, the Agency continues to play a vital role in ameliorating the plight of the Palestine refugees through the provision of, inter alia, essential education, health, relief and social services programmes and emergency assistance to a registered population of more than 5.9 million refugees whose situation is extremely precarious, in mitigating the consequences of alarming trends in the Agency\u2019s areas of operation, including increasing violence, marginalization and poverty and the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and in providing a crucial measure of stability in the region,<\/p>\n Recalling<\/em> its resolutions 2252 (ES-V)<\/a> of 4 July 1967 and 2341 B (XXII)<\/a> of 19\u00a0December 1967 and all subsequent related resolutions, recalling also Security Council resolutions 237 (1967)<\/a> of 14 June 1967 and 259 (1968)<\/a> of 27 September 1968, stressing the necessity of an accelerated return of displaced persons, and calling for compliance with the mechanism agreed upon by the parties in article XII of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements of 13 September 1993[3]<\/a> on the return of displaced persons,<\/p>\n Deeply concerned<\/em> about the extremely critical financial situation of the Agency, caused by the structural underfunding of the Agency, as well as by rising needs and expenditures resulting from the deterioration of the socioeconomic and humanitarian conditions and the conflicts and rising instability in the region and their significant negative impact on the ability of the Agency to deliver essential services to the Palestine refugees, including its emergency, recovery, reconstruction and development programmes in all fields of operation,<\/p>\n Taking note<\/em> of the report of the Secretary-General on the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East,[4]<\/a> submitted pursuant to resolution 71\/93<\/a> of 6 December 2016, and the request contained therein for broad consultations to explore all ways and means, including through voluntary and assessed contributions, to ensure that the Agency\u2019s funding is sufficient, predictable and sustained for the duration of its mandate, and considering the recommendations contained in the report,<\/p>\n Taking note also<\/em> of the report of 31 May 2023 of the Commissioner-General, submitted pursuant to paragraph 57 of the report of the Secretary-General and in follow-up to the update to the special report of 3 August 2015 of the Commissioner-General,[5]<\/a> submitted pursuant to paragraph 21 of General Assembly resolution 302 (IV)<\/a>, regarding the severe financial crisis of the Agency and the negative implications for the continued delivery of core Agency programmes to the Palestine refugees in all fields of operation,<\/p>\n Expressing appreciation<\/em> for the efforts of donors and host countries to respond to the Agency\u2019s unprecedented financial crisis, including through generous, additional contributions and, where possible, continued increases in voluntary contributions and agreements for multi-year funding, while acknowledging the steadfast support of all other donors to the Agency,<\/p>\n Welcoming<\/em> the contributions made to the Agency\u2019s emergency appeals, including for the Gaza Strip and for the Syrian Arab Republic, and calling urgently upon the international community to continue its support, since needs persist and these appeals remain severely underfunded,<\/p>\n Noting<\/em> that contributions have not been predictable enough or sufficient to meet growing needs and remedy the persistent shortfalls, thereby undermining the Agency\u2019s operations and efforts to promote human development and meet Palestine refugees\u2019 basic needs, and stressing the need for further efforts to comprehensively address the recurrent funding shortfalls affecting the Agency\u2019s operations,<\/p>\n Recognizing<\/em> the Agency\u2019s extensive efforts to rapidly develop innovative and diversified ways to address its financial shortfall and mobilize resources, including through the expansion of the donor base and partnerships with United Nations entities, international financial institutions, the private sector and civil society, including through special digital campaigns,<\/p>\n Commending<\/em> the Agency for the measures taken to address the financial crisis, despite difficult operational circumstances, including through the implementation of the medium-term strategy for 2016\u20132022 and various internal measures to contain expenditures, reduce operational and administrative costs, maximize the use of resources and reduce the funding shortfalls, and expressing profound concern that, despite such measures, the Agency\u2019s programme budget, which is funded primarily by voluntary contributions from Member States and intergovernmental organizations, faces persistent shortfalls that continue to threaten the delivery of the Agency\u2019s core programmes of assistance to the Palestine refugees,<\/p>\n Encouraging<\/em> the Agency to sustain those reform efforts, while also taking all possible measures to protect and improve the quality of access to and the delivery of core programmes of assistance,<\/p>\n Recalling<\/em> its resolution 65\/272<\/a> of 18 April 2011, in which it requested the Secretary-General to continue to support the institutional strengthening of the Agency,<\/p>\n Stressing<\/em> the need to support the Agency\u2019s capacity to uphold its mandate and to avert the serious humanitarian, political and security risks that would result from any interruption or suspension of its vital work,<\/p>\n Recognizing<\/em> that the recurring and growing financial shortfalls directly affecting the sustainability of the Agency\u2019s operations need to be remedied by examining new funding modalities designed to put the Agency on a stable financial footing to enable it to effectively carry out its core programmes in accordance with its mandate and commensurate with humanitarian needs,<\/p>\n Welcoming<\/em> the affirmation in the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, adopted by the General Assembly on 19 September 2016,[6]<\/a> that, inter alia, the Agency, along with other relevant organizations, requires sufficient funding to be able to carry out its activities effectively and in a predictable manner,<\/p>\n Bearing in mind<\/em> the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,[7]<\/a> including the pledge that no one will be left behind, emphasizing that the Sustainable Development Goals apply to all, including refugees, and commending the efforts of the Agency\u2019s programmes to promote 10 of the 17 Goals, as indicated in the report of the Secretary-General,<\/p>\n Welcoming<\/em> the joint efforts of host countries and donors to mobilize support for the Agency, including through extraordinary ministerial meetings, inter alia, the extraordinary ministerial conference held in Rome on 15 March 2018, the ministerial meeting convened at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 26 September 2019, the extraordinary virtual ministerial pledging conference convened on 23 June 2020 and the most recent ministerial meetings held on 22 September 2022 and 21\u00a0September 2023, hosted by Jordan and Sweden, aimed at urgently addressing the Agency\u2019s funding shortfall and the need for predictable multi-year funding, expanding donor support for the Agency and reaffirming support for its mandate,<\/p>\n Recalling<\/em> Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations,[8]<\/a><\/p>\n Recalling also<\/em> the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel,[9]<\/a><\/p>\n Recalling further<\/em> its resolutions 75\/125<\/a> of 11 December 2020 on the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel and 75\/127<\/a> of 11 December 2020 on the strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations, calling upon, inter alia, all States to ensure respect for and the protection of all humanitarian personnel and United Nations and associated personnel, to respect the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence for the provision of humanitarian assistance and to respect and ensure respect for the inviolability of United Nations premises,<\/p>\n Affirming<\/em> the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949,[10]<\/a> to the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem,<\/p>\n Aware<\/em> of the continuing needs of the Palestine refugees in all fields of operation, namely Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic and the Occupied Palestinian Territory,<\/p>\n Gravely concerned<\/em> about the extremely difficult socioeconomic conditions being faced by the Palestine refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, particularly in the refugee camps in the Gaza Strip, as a result of the recurrent military operations, continuing prolonged Israeli closures, the construction of settlements and the wall, evictions, the demolition of homes and livelihood properties causing forced transfers of civilians, and the severe economic and movement restrictions that in effect amount to a blockade, which have deepened unemployment and poverty rates among the refugees, with potentially lasting, long-term negative effects, while taking note of developments with regard to the situation of access there,<\/p>\n Concerned<\/em> about plans and measures to interfere with or obstruct the operations of the Agency, including in East Jerusalem, contrary to international law and the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, and reiterating the need for the Agency to fully implement its mandate in support of Palestine refugees without interference, including in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,<\/p>\n Commending<\/em> the health-care staff of the Agency for their dedication in responding to the profound stresses caused to the health system by the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties in the recent period in the Gaza Strip,<\/p>\n Commending also<\/em> the important role played by the Agency throughout its areas of operations to help to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19,<\/p>\n Expressing grave concern<\/em> in this regard about the lasting impact on the humanitarian and socioeconomic situation of the Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip, including high rates of food insecurity, poverty, displacement and the depletion of coping capacities,<\/p>\n Recalling<\/em> the temporary tripartite agreement facilitated by the United Nations in September 2014, and stressing the urgent need for the lifting of all Israeli closures and restrictions on the Gaza Strip,<\/p>\n Recalling also<\/em> its resolution ES-10\/18<\/a> of 16 January 2009 and Security Council resolution 1860 (2009)<\/a> of 8 January 2009, as well as the Agreement on Movement and Access of 15 November 2005,<\/p>\n Expressing concern<\/em> about the continuing classroom shortage, including in the Gaza Strip, and the consequent negative impact on the right to education of refugee children,<\/p>\n Stressing<\/em> the urgent need for the provision of the necessary humanitarian assistance and funding support for the advancement of reconstruction and recovery in the Gaza Strip, including by ensuring the timely facilitation of construction projects, including extensive shelter repair, and the need for the accelerated implementation of other urgent United Nations-led civilian reconstruction activities, and calling upon Israel to ensure the expedited and unimpeded import of all necessary construction materials into the Gaza Strip and to reduce the burdensome cost of importation of Agency supplies, while taking note of the continued implementation of the tripartite agreement facilitated by the United Nations,<\/p>\n Stressing also<\/em> that the situation in the Gaza Strip is unsustainable and that a durable ceasefire agreement must lead to a fundamental improvement in the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, including through the sustained and regular opening of crossing points, and must ensure the safety and well-being of civilians on both sides,<\/p>\n Affirming<\/em> the need to support the Palestinian Government in its assumption of full government responsibilities in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, in all fields, as well as through its presence at Gaza\u2019s crossing points,<\/p>\n Expressing deep concern<\/em> at the critical situation of Palestine refugees in the Syrian Arab Republic and at the impact of the crisis on the Agency\u2019s installations and its ability to deliver its services, and regretting profoundly the loss of life and widespread displacement among refugees and the killing of staff members of the Agency in the crisis since 2012,<\/p>\n Emphasizing<\/em> the continuing need for assistance to Palestine refugees in the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as those who have fled to neighbouring countries, including in particular Lebanon, where an unprecedent financial crisis is further affecting socioeconomic conditions among the refugees and exacerbating already high unemployment and poverty rates, and emphasizing the necessity of ensuring open borders for Palestine refugees fleeing the crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic, consistent with the principles of non-discrimination and non-refoulement under international law, and recalling in this regard the statement by the President of the Security Council of 2\u00a0October 2013[11]<\/a> and the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants,<\/p>\n Aware<\/em> of the valuable work done by the Agency in providing protection to the Palestinian people, in particular Palestine refugees, and recalling the need for the protection of all civilians in situations of armed conflict,<\/p>\n Deploring<\/em> the endangerment of the safety of the Agency\u2019s staff and the damage and destruction caused to the facilities and properties of the Agency, and stressing the need to maintain the neutrality and safeguard the inviolability of United Nations premises, installations and equipment at all times,<\/p>\n Deploring also<\/em> the breaches of the inviolability of United Nations premises, the failure to accord the property and assets of the Organization immunity from any form of interference, incursions or misuse, the failure to protect United Nations personnel, premises and property and any disruption caused to Agency operations by such violations,<\/p>\n Deploring further<\/em> all attacks affecting United Nations installations, including Agency schools sheltering displaced civilians, and all other breaches of the inviolability of United Nations premises, including during the conflict in the Gaza Strip in July and August 2014, as reported in the summary by the Secretary-General of the report of the Board of Inquiry[12]<\/a> and by the independent commission of inquiry established pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution S-21\/1<\/a>,[13]<\/a> and stressing the imperative of ensuring accountability,<\/p>\n Condemning<\/em> the killing, injury and detention contrary to international law of Agency staff members,<\/p>\n Condemning also<\/em> the killing, wounding and detention contrary to international law of refugee children and women,<\/p>\n Affirming<\/em> the need for accountability and compensation to victims of violations of international law in accordance with international standards by all sides,<\/p>\n Deeply concerned<\/em> about the continuing imposition of restrictions on the freedom of movement and access of the Agency\u2019s staff, vehicles and goods, and the injury, harassment and intimidation of the Agency\u2019s staff, which undermine and obstruct the work of the Agency, including its ability to provide essential basic and emergency services,<\/p>\n Recalling<\/em> the statement of 15 July 1999 and the declarations adopted on 5\u00a0December 2001 and on 17 December 2014[14]<\/a> by the Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, including the call upon parties to facilitate the activities of the Agency, to guarantee its protection and to refrain from levying taxes and imposing undue financial burdens,<\/p>\n Aware<\/em> of the agreement between the Agency and the Government of Israel,<\/p>\n Taking note<\/em> of the agreement reached on 24 June 1994, embodied in an exchange of letters between the Agency and the Palestine Liberation Organization,[15]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 45th plenary meeting<\/em><\/p>\n 7 December 2023<\/em><\/p>\n <\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [1] Official Records of the General Assembly, Seventy-eighth Session, Supplement No. 13<\/em> (A\/78\/13<\/a>); and ibid., Supplement No. 13A<\/em> (A\/78\/13\/Add.1<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [2] Ibid., Supplement No. 13<\/em> (A\/78\/13<\/a>), pp. 7\u20139.<\/p>\n <\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [3] A\/48\/486-S\/26560<\/a>, annex.<\/p>\n <\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [4] A\/71\/849<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [5] A\/70\/272<\/a>, annex.<\/p>\n <\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [6] Resolution 71\/1<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [7] Resolution 70\/1<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [8] Resolution 22 A (I)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n