Beirut, 15 November 2026--On the 38th anniversary of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Rania Al-Mashat reaffirmed her commitment to continuing support for Palestinian institutions and strengthening their capacities, with a view to advancing sustainable development and enhancing the resilience of the Palestinian people in the face of ongoing challenges.
Over the past years, technical cooperation between ESCWA and the State of Palestine has encompassed a wide range of initiatives and programmes in social and economic development, women's empowerment, social protection, governance, statistics, digital transformation and environmental sustainability.
In the areas of women's empowerment and social protection, ESCWA worked with the Ministry of Women's Affairs to improve the national referral system for survivors of violence, review relevant legislation and policies, and support the preparation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. ESCWA also provided technical assistance to improve beneficiary targeting mechanisms for social protection programmes and strengthen the inclusion of persons with disabilities in national development plans.
In governance and institutional development, ESCWA supported strategic planning and the formulation of risk-informed policies aimed at strengthening resilience. Its assistance also included the development of a national competency framework for the Palestinian public sector and capacity-building support for government institutions.
In the economic sphere, cooperation focused on strengthening capacities in trade policy, rules of origin and international trade agreements, as well as the use of economic policy simulation tools. ESCWA also facilitated knowledge-sharing and the exchange of experiences to support the development of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises.
In statistics and digital transformation, ESCWA supported the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics in strengthening the national statistical system and improving reporting on Sustainable Development Goal indicators, including efforts to adapt statistical concepts and methodologies to the evolving situation in the Gaza Strip. ESCWA also contributed to the development of national frameworks for cybersecurity, digital development and digital accessibility, alongside capacity-building initiatives in water resources management and climate change adaptation.
On this occasion, Al-Mashat reaffirmed the commitment of ESCWA and its continued partnership with the State of Palestine and to providing the technical assistance and expertise needed to strengthen the effectiveness of national institutions and their capacity to respond to development priorities, in support of the resilience of the Palestinian people and their aspirations for a more stable and sustainable future.
