Heading 1: UNRWA Commissioner-General Visits France to Strengthen Partnerships and Discuss Palestinian Refugee Rights
Heading 2: Gratitude for France’s Support to Palestinian Refugees
Heading 3: Increased Support for UNRWA’s Services in Education and Health
Heading 4: Meetings with High-Level French Government Officials
Heading 5: Exploring Potential Partnerships with the Institut du Monde Arabe
Heading 6: Focus on Ensuring Dignified Existence and Basic Amenities for Palestine Refugees
PARIS: Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, visited France for the first time as the agency’s chief. During his two-day visit, Lazzarini met with high-level French government officials, as well as members of the National Assembly, the Senate, and civil society.
Gratitude for France’s Support to Palestinian Refugees
“We are very grateful for France’s robust financial and political support to (Palestinian) refugees. As a member of the Security Council and a strong contributor to multilateralism, humanitarian and development action, France is one of UNRWA’s major and long-standing partners since 1949,” Lazzarini said.
Increased Support for UNRWA’s Services in Education and Health
“The increased support of the French government to the agency’s services in education and health in 2023 … across the region is even more relevant in Lebanon, where almost every Palestine refugee lives in poverty,” he added.
Meetings with High-Level French Government Officials
Lazzarini met with the French foreign affairs minister, ministry directors, the French president’s Middle East adviser, and lawmakers and senators to discuss the region and the role of UNRWA.
Exploring Potential Partnerships with the Institut du Monde Arabe
During a visit to the Institut du Monde Arabe, the commissioner-general discussed potential partnerships with the institute’s director, particularly in light of the current exhibition highlighting Palestinian arts and culture. He also spoke with a group of academics and journalists who are experts on the region’s geopolitics.
Focus on Ensuring Dignified Existence and Basic Amenities for Palestine Refugees
The meetings focused on exploring ways to strengthen UNRWA’s partnership with France and ensure the agency can continue providing essential services. All discussions focused on the rights of Palestine refugees to a dignified existence and basic amenities.
In conclusion, Philippe Lazzarini’s visit to France as the commissioner-general of UNRWA aimed to strengthen partnerships and discuss the rights of Palestinian refugees. The meetings with high-level French government officials, including the foreign affairs minister and lawmakers, emphasized the importance of France’s financial and political support to UNRWA. The increased support in education and health services in 2023 is particularly crucial in Lebanon, where poverty affects almost every Palestinian refugee. Additionally, potential partnerships with the Institut du Monde Arabe were explored, focusing on the current exhibition highlighting Palestinian arts and culture. Overall, the discussions centered around ensuring a dignified existence and basic amenities for Palestine refugees.