{"id":170986,"date":"2013-04-29T14:42:39","date_gmt":"2013-04-29T14:42:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?p=170986"},"modified":"2024-06-14T13:01:44","modified_gmt":"2024-06-14T17:01:44","slug":"united-nations-international-meeting-on-the-question-of-palestine-african-solidarity-with-the-palestinian-people-for-the-achievement-of-its-inalienable-rights-including-the-sovereignty-and-indepen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/united-nations-international-meeting-on-the-question-of-palestine-african-solidarity-with-the-palestinian-people-for-the-achievement-of-its-inalienable-rights-including-the-sovereignty-and-indepen\/","title":{"rendered":"Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ International Meeting on the Question of Palestine “African solidarity with the Palestinian people for the achievement of its inalienable rights, including the sovereignty and independence of the State of Palestine” Addis Ababa, 29-30 April 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ International Meeting on the Question of Palestine was dedicated in 2013 to reviewing the support provided by African States in the achievement of Palestinian independence and sovereignty, while drawing on their experience in anti-colonial and anti-apartheid struggles, as well as in post-colonial efforts to build effective governments and sustainable economies. The meeting brought together representatives of 49 Governments, members of United Nations and other international organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions and mass media outlets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Addressing the meeting on behalf of the Secretary-General, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Carlos Lopes, said that a window of opportunity for renewed engagement had opened following the visits to the region by the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, and its Secretary of State, John Kerry. He stressed that there was a need for a concerted push for peace in 2013 if the two-State solution were to be salvaged.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Representatives of African States pledged their strong support for the Palestinian people in their quest for independence and self-determination. Joined by international experts and senior Palestinian officials, they reflected on the experience of Africa with regard to decolonization, economic independence and sustainable development, considering the lessons that would be relevant and important for the State of Palestine. The continuing third-party facilitation aimed at resuming negotiations between Israel and the State of Palestine was welcomed. Speakers and participants alike agreed that, to achieve full sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Palestinian people must form a national unity government, warning that divisions served only to weaken and destabilize a nascent State. Experts urged African Governments to share their negotiating and institution-building tactics, create a continent-wide solidarity movement and launch a regional peace initiative to help the Palestinian people in their endeavour to achieve sovereignty and statehood.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Experts said that, over the previous 8 years, the Palestinian boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign had achieved more successes in various parts of the world than had the South African anti-apartheid campaign in 20. While Palestinian solidarity organizations existed in many African countries, they had not yet succeeded in developing a continent-wide solidarity network which could make their activities more effective. Solidarity with the State of Palestine should be further expanded in Africa to include the masses, especially university students and other young people.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Beyond the historic adoption by the General Assembly of\u00a0resolution 67\/19<\/a>, a difficult path lay ahead for the State of Palestine to gain full membership in the United Nations. In that regard, the further support of African States for the Palestinian people and their leadership, especially as part of the Group of African States and the Non-Aligned Movement at the United Nations, was crucial.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Additional information:<\/p>\n