UNGA president: global backing for two-state plan signals Security Council readiness - with salaam
As-salamu alaykum. UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said that the strong worldwide support for a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel in September sent a clear message that the UN Security Council is prepared to act.
In September the UNGA overwhelmingly approved a resolution reviving the two-state approach. The New York Declaration, which sets out “tangible, timebound and irreversible steps” toward that goal, passed with 142 votes in favor, 10 against (including Israel and its ally the US) and 12 abstentions.
Baerbock told reporters on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha that the conference on the two-state solution, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, was a crucial moment. She said the 142-member backing showed a pathway many nations are ready to follow, and that broad, cross-regional cooperation can prompt the Security Council to move.
She pointed to the rare unanimous Security Council condemnation of Israel’s strikes on Qatari soil in September - an attack on Hamas leadership that drew a statement agreed by all 15 members. Weeks later a ceasefire was agreed in Gaza between Hamas and Israel.
Although the truce has ended most open fighting, violations have been reported by both sides. The US, as a permanent Security Council member, has previously vetoed calls for Palestinian statehood.
Baerbock urged both Israel and Hamas to honor their commitments under the agreement: the Israeli government has accepted the plan and must implement the ceasefire and take steps toward peace, she said. Discussions are ongoing in the Security Council about next steps.
On Sudan, Baerbock stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access as the civil war continues. She noted that ending the fighting is ultimately the responsibility of those commanding the forces.
“There is a strong international call for a ceasefire,” she said, speaking about the conflict that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions since clashes began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The situation worsened after the RSF seized El Fasher in Darfur, with the ICC investigating suspected war crimes.
Baerbock called for humanitarian access to El Fasher and reiterated the international demand that both the RSF and the Sudanese army stop fighting and allow aid to reach civilians.
Asked whether the world can meet the 2030 targets to end hunger and poverty amid wars and aid cuts, Baerbock replied: “We can if we want to.” She said there is enough money globally; the challenge is how it is invested. She emphasized that renewable energy is key to the future, bringing sustainable power and electricity to off-grid regions.
She warned that if investments in renewables mostly flow to Europe, China and other regions rather than to Africa - which has excellent solar potential - the energy divide will deepen. Peace and security are tightly linked to hunger, and the climate crisis remains a major obstacle to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.
May Allah grant guidance and relief to those suffering from conflict and help leaders choose the path of justice and peace. Wa alaykum as-salam.
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