NEW YORK, September 21, 2026 (WAFA) — The State of Palestine today participated in meetings and events addressing the Palestinian cause, including the situation in the Gaza Strip and ongoing Israeli violations against the Palestinian people, on the first day of the high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The State of Palestine, represented by its Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Minister Riyad Mansour, participated in a ministerial side event titled “Humanitarian Diplomacy that Safeguards International Humanitarian Law,” organized by the European Union and Ireland.
The event was attended by Queen Mathilde of Belgium, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Mirjana Spoljaric, and others. The event was officially scheduled for September 21 during the UNGA81 high-level week.
Speakers expressed concern over violations of international humanitarian law around the world, including in Palestine, and stressed the need to enforce international humanitarian law, including through accountability mechanisms.
Mansour thanked the organizers of the event and United Nations agencies for their assistance to the Palestinian people during the war in Gaza, saying: “You are our true partners. You are the enforcers of this international humanitarian law, and without you, we would not have been able to survive until now.”
The event's organizers said humanitarian access remains a key challenge in conflicts around the world and stressed the role of humanitarian diplomacy in protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian access, supporting dialogue, and promoting respect for international humanitarian law and accountability.
The State of Palestine also called for an emergency conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to ensure respect for and compliance with international humanitarian law throughout the occupied Palestinian territory.
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