CAIRO, July 19, 2026 (WAFA) - The United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in coordination with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held the annual International Conference on Jerusalem on Saturday in Cairo, with broad participation from representatives of countries, diplomats, parliamentarians and media professionals.
The conference included four main sessions, followed by a press conference attended by the committee's chairman, Ambassador Coly Seck, Egypt's foreign minister, and Palestine's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Riyad Mansour.
The opening session featured remarks by Seck; Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for Palestinian Affairs Ambassador Mahmoud Omar; Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Ashraf Al-Awar; the UN secretary-general's representative; ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti; OIC Assistant Secretary-General Ambassador Dawwas Dawwas; and Arab League Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine Ambassador Faed Mustafa.
The first session addressed the religious and spiritual dimensions of Jerusalem, with contributions from Sheikh Atallah Nasser, Bishop William Shomali, Deputy Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ayman Abdel Ghani, representative of Coptic Pope Tawadros II, Makary Tadros, and representative of the Jordanian Royal Court Minister Wasfi Al-Kilani.
The second session focused on the situation in Jerusalem and the challenges facing its residents.
At the conclusion of the conference, Seck and Mansour stressed the importance of holding the event at this time and expressed appreciation for Egypt's role in hosting the international conference on Jerusalem amid ongoing challenges.
Mansour conveyed Palestine's gratitude, as well as that of President Mahmoud Abbas, to the committee, the OIC, Egypt's leadership, government and people, and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for hosting the conference. He stressed that Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Palestinian cause.
Mansour also praised the positions of the UN secretary-general and all participants and speakers for their support for Jerusalem and the Palestinian people.
The committee's delegation, which includes ambassadors from Senegal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Namibia and Palestine, along with four UN Secretariat officials from the Division for Palestinian Rights, is scheduled to continue its meetings in Cairo, including talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, a meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and participation in an interactive seminar at the Egyptian Diplomatic Club.
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