The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York City, New York.
Minister Anand emphasized UNRWA's critical role in providing life-saving humanitarian assistance and essential services to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and throughout the region, including Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.
The Minister and Commissioner-General Lazzarini discussed the worsening conditions in Gaza, emphasizing the catastrophic humanitarian toll and the death of 370 UNRWA staff. Minister Anand expressed her deep appreciation to those who continue to provide services to Palestinians. Canada welcomes the progress UNRWA is making on its reforms, through implementation of the Colonna recommendations. Canada expects UNRWA to meet its obligations and uphold the UN's value of neutrality; this is an essential component of UNRWA's mandate.
Minister Anand reiterated that Canada continues to urge for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages, the protection of civilians and scaled-up flows of life-saving assistance for Palestinians. The Commissioner-General and the Minister agreed on the urgent need for the international community to intensify efforts to achieve sustainable peace and security in the region.
