NEW YORK, September 23, 2026 (WAFA) – President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas participated in a high-level meeting, at the invitation of Saudi Arabia, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, with the participation of the United Nations Secretary-General and a number of world leaders.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the high-level segment of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly under the title, “The Road Ahead: One Year After the New York Declaration and the Comprehensive 20-Point Peace Plan.”

The meeting was opened by French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Andy Burnham, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

The subsequent discussion was attended by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez; Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly; Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi; Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre; Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin; Finnish President Alexander Stubb; President of the European Council António Costa; Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Ishaq Dar; Prime Minister of the Netherlands Rob Jetten; Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan; and High Representative of the Gaza Board of Peace Nickolay Mladenov.

President Abbas delivered the State of Palestine’s address via video link, expressing his gratitude to the leaders of Saudi Arabia, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada for inviting him to the meeting. The President commended their ongoing efforts to advance the two-state solution, highlighting their historic decision, alongside several other countries, to formally recognize the State of Palestine, bringing the total number of states formally recognizing the state of Palestine to 160.

President Abbas also extended his gratitude to the leaders and heads of delegations from the region and around the world participating in the meeting, thanking them for their unwavering support for the rights of the Palestinian people and their dedicated efforts to advance a just and comprehensive peace.

The President noted that the meeting comes one year after the international conference co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France and the adoption of the New York Declaration. The President further noted that it follows the launch of President Trump’s peace plan and the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, stressing that these developments have charted a clear course toward ending the war against the Palestinian people in Gaza, securing a full Israeli withdrawal, advancing reconstruction, and opening a political horizon leading to an end to the occupation and the realization of an independent Palestinian state.

President Abbas affirmed that the State of Palestine has completed its national reform program, which included the unification of the social welfare system, the advancement of education in accordance with UNESCO standards, and the successful conduct of local elections. The President further noted that November 28 has been set as the date for legislative elections, to be followed by the convening of the Palestinian National Council and presidential elections, thereby further strengthening the unity of the Palestinian people, territory, and political system.

In his address, President Mahmoud Abbas stressed that realizing the State of Palestine and safeguarding the two-state solution, based on international legitimacy, require decisive international intervention to prevent the undermining of the Palestinian state, confront unilateral measures that violate international law, halt colonial settlement expansion, annexation and colonists’ terrorism, stop the E1 plan, prevent displacement, and secure the release of withheld Palestinian funds, which have exceeded $6 billion.

In conclusion, President Abbas affirmed that the Palestinian people desire a peace rooted in international legitimacy, declaring: 'Let us make the coming year—the final year of the transitional phase—the year of ending the occupation, realizing the State of Palestine, and achieving regional peace and security in a manner that guarantees the sovereignty of states and the rights of their peoples, bringing stability and shared prosperity for all.

T.R.