Saudi Gazette report

NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel, and his French counterpart Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont jointly chaired the first briefing session for UN member and observer states on the upcoming high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question and the implementation of the two-state solution.

The briefing, held at the UN headquarters in New York, comes as part of ongoing preparations for the conference set to take place in June 2025 under Saudi-French co-chairmanship.

In his remarks, Ambassador Al-Wasel reaffirmed the Kingdom’s longstanding and unwavering support for the two-state solution, emphasizing that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is essential for regional peace and stability.

He also announced the formation of multiple working groups to address key substantive issues related to the peace settlement, inviting UN member states to submit their ideas and proposals to support the conference preparations.

Al-Wasel noted that the UN-backed conference would provide a formal and inclusive platform to advance international efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting solution.

During the session, a majority of participating UN member and observer states — including regional blocs and international organizations — expressed strong support for the Saudi-French initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to the two-state solution as the only internationally agreed path forward.

Several delegations underscored the importance of delivering tangible outcomes from the upcoming conference, including recognition of the State of Palestine, rejection of annexation and forced displacement, and increased support for the Palestinian government and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Participating states also commended Saudi Arabia for its leading role in supporting the Palestinian cause, its chairmanship of the conference, and its efforts to maintain political momentum and encourage collective action toward a meaningful outcome.