International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

• The Honourable Minister
• The Ambassador of the State of Palestine
• Members of the Diplomatic Corps
• Professor Annie Sikwibele, Vice Chancellor, the University of Zambia
• Dr Euston Chiputa, Historian and Researcher, the University of Zambia
• UN colleagues
• The Youth
• Members of the media
• Ladies and gentlemen

I am honoured to share a few remarks on behalf of the UN Secretary General His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres for this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. I am happy that we have, yet again, partnered with the Embassy of the State of Palestine in holding organizing this commemoration. Let me at the outset thank the Guest of Honour for being here and the University of Zambia for hosting us.

I am happy to see all of you here including the youth from the community and our Youth of United Nations Chapters from six universities in Lusaka.

As the United Nations we work with partners to observe this day because it provides an opportunity for the international community to focus its attention on the fact that the question of Palestine remains unresolved.

Further, there is need to focus on the fact that the Palestinian people are yet to attain their inalienable rights as defined by the General Assembly, namely, the right to self-determination, the right to national independence and sovereignty and the right to return.

Let me now read the statement from the UN Secretary General Mr Antonio Guterres prepared for this occasion.

I QUOTE

We commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People at a time of diminished hope for peace.

I am deeply saddened by the growing number of Palestinian civilians who have lost their lives in the spiral of violence engulfing the occupied West Bank. Each casualty fuels fear and yet more violence. I urge all parties to take immediate steps to reduce tensions and break this deadly cycle.

The long-standing drivers of conflict – including the ongoing occupation, settlement expansion, home demolitions and evictions – heighten anger, despair, and hopelessness.

Meanwhile, Gaza continues to endure debilitating closures and humanitarian crises. I reiterate my call on the parties to engage to end the closures of Gaza and improve living conditions of all Palestinians.

UNRWA remains a vital lifeline for Palestine refugees.

I commend the donors for their support and urge all to step up and provide predictable and sufficient funding to enable UNRWA to fully deliver on its mandate.

The United Nations’ position is clear: peace must advance – the occupation must end.

We are steadfast in our commitment to realize the vision of two States – Israel and Palestine – living side by side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.

Together, let us reaffirm our support to the Palestinian people in their quest to achieve their inalienable rights and build a future of peace, justice, security, and dignity for all.

END OF QUOTE.

I thank you all.