Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 1st Feb. Saudi officials and the head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees Philippe Lazzarini held meetings in Riyadh this past weekend and discussed the youth empowerment and unemployment, according to the UN agency.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini visited Saudi Arabia on 28 and 29 January at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNRWA stated in a press release issued in New York.
Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Waleed ElKhereji, and the Supervisor-General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, Dr. Abdallah al Rabeea met and discussed longtime Saudi solidarity with Palestine.
Chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, His Royal Highness Prince Turki Al-Faisal, focused on the fragility of the situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the worrying escalation last week, the press release noted.
Mr. Lazzarini said “The concerning events that are unfolding in the West Bank are a stark reminder that the stability of the region is often hanging by a thread,”.
“We at UNRWA look forward to working closely with Saudi Arabia, as a strategic partner, on ensuring that the lives of the refugees, particularly children and youth, continue to be transformed positively through education, healthcare and other services that the agency offers.”
He acknowledged the Saudi contribution of $27 million at the end of last year was directly allocated to UNRWA’s core programme budget and helped maintain critical services to Palestine refugees.
The discussion explored ways for the UN agency to co-operate with Saudi entities on youth empowerment and employment.
Mr. Lazzarini emphasized the importance for UNRWA to work with Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner, particularly in areas such as youth development and empowerment, as well as promoting regional peace and stability.
“Education and modern-day skills are the best tools that the international community can offer to young Palestine refugees,” he said.
Mr. Lazzarini added “By helping them build their future, we would also be sending them a message that they are not alone.”
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