Alabali Radovan attends UNUnited Nations General Assembly and conference for two-state solution in New York

UN General Assembly Alabali Radovan attends UN General Assembly and conference for two-state solution in New York

Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan said, "As it marks its 80th anniversary, the United Nations is facing radical change. Important players are withdrawing their political and financial support for the UN. Germany is playing a key role in managing and shaping the UN reform process to ensure that the United Nations is well prepared for the huge global challenges that lie ahead and can act even more effectively. We need the United Nations now more than ever. The UN stands for the shared wish of humanity to achieve peace and justice. The principle of international cooperation lies at the heart of the UN. All people everywhere in the world benefit from a strong UN - that builds peace, reduces poverty and drives sustainable development."

Alabali Radovan is representing the German government at the official celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations which was founded in 1945 in response to the Second World War. She will be attending the opening of the General Debate. A main focus of this year's UN General Assembly is the UN80 reform launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The reform is intended to make the entire UN system leaner, more focused, more efficient and hence fit for the future. A few days ago, Guterres proposed a 15 per cent cut to the UN's 2026 budget. One reason for this proposal is that the US as the United Nation's most important donor has largely withdrawn its support.

Germany supports the ambitious reform agenda. The BMZ is particularly engaged in driving reforms of the UN development system through dedicated initiatives. It has already brought together 20 member countries in an alliance of friends, both from the Global North and the Global South. In New York, the alliance wants to agree on joint priorities for the reforms of the UN development system. Front-runners, that is UN agencies that are especially successful in achieving the reform goals of greater efficiency and effectiveness, are to receive more financial support from the BMZ in the future. The realignment of the UN is also an opportunity to further expand the German UN location in Bonn which is already home to 27 UN organisations. Development Minister Alabali Radovan will, for instance, be able to welcome UN Women there this autumn; talks are ongoing with other UN agencies.

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In order to also hear the perspective and expectations of the young generation for the future of the UN and feed them back to the political talks, Alabali Radovan will have a meeting with young people from around the world right at the start of her visit.

Her agenda also includes a series of bilateral meetings. She will, for example, meet the new President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock and the Deputy UN Secretary- General Amina Mohammed.

High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution

Development Minister Alabali Radovan will also take part in the international conference for a two-state solution which is being organised by France and Saudi Arabia. Alabali Radovan is the German government minister responsible for preparing a Gaza reconstruction conference.

The goal of German development cooperation is to improve the living conditions in the Palestinian territories and support efforts to develop effective institutions. These are basic prerequisites for setting up a Palestinian state under the framework of a negotiated two-state solution which would enable both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security.

Gaza, too, is an integral part of a future Palestinian state and the two-state solution. German development cooperation will contribute to rebuilding Gaza as soon as the situation on the ground allows it. Given that needs are enormous, fair international burden sharing is indispensable. Minister Alabali Radovan is hosting talks in New York together with Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and the United Nations to discuss the framework conditions of reconstruction in Gaza together with international partners.