The United Nations in Vienna Hosts Annual Event to Commemorate International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

SadaNews - The United Nations International Center in Vienna hosted the annual event to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People today, Monday, in the UN headquarters meeting hall, with wide participation from diplomats, UN officials, and representatives from international organizations.

The event opened with an emphasis on the significance of the occasion and its role in renewing international support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and enhancing global commitment to efforts to achieve just and lasting peace.

His Excellency Vasco Mushy Samubofu, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Namibia to the UN in Vienna and Chair of the session, delivered the opening speech on behalf of the Chair of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, stressing the necessity for the international community to continue supporting the Palestinian people and enabling them to exercise their fundamental rights.

A message from the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was delivered by Ms. Candice Welch, Director of the Policy Analysis and Public Affairs Division at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in which the Secretary-General reaffirmed the UN’s support for the Palestinian people and the need to reach a just and lasting solution in accordance with international legal resolutions.

Ms. Eva Maria Ziegler, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Austrian Foreign Ministry, delivered the host state's address, reaffirming Austria's commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at achieving just peace in the Middle East and its eagerness to continue supporting the path of diplomatic solutions.

The program included speeches from several regional groups, including a statement from the Arab League delivered by Ambassador Mohamed Nasr, the Permanent Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the UN in Vienna, on behalf of the Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit, in addition to other statements from various regional groups.

Several countries delivered their national statements, including China, Russia, South Africa, Cuba, Turkey, Oman, Sudan, Algeria, Qatar, Morocco, Kuwait, Egypt, Chile, Yemen, Malaysia, and Libya, all expressing their support for the rights of the Palestinian people and the necessity of achieving just peace.

Dr. Hans Kochler, President of the International Progress Organization, delivered a speech on behalf of civil society organizations' representatives, emphasizing the importance of the role played by international civil society organizations in raising awareness and supporting the rights of peoples.

At the conclusion of the event, there was a speech from President Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, delivered on his behalf by Ambassador Salah al-Din Abdul Shafi, the Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the UN in Vienna, in which he thanked the world leaders who sent messages of support and solidarity with the Palestinian people and their just cause.

He reaffirmed the Palestinian people's adherence to their inalienable national rights, including their right to self-determination, freedom, and independence.

Abdul Shafi referred to the genocide against the Palestinian people as well as the ongoing occupation and its settlement policies, the assaults of settlers protected by the occupying army, expansion, annexation, field executions, and the piracy of the Palestinian people's funds and resources.

Abdul Shafi appreciated the role of the Arab Islamic Committee led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the beginning of a wide international movement and the establishment of a broad international alliance that led to the recognition of the State of Palestine by several countries.

He thanked the countries that recently recognized the State of Palestine, which include France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Andorra, San Marino, in addition to Spain, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, Armenia as well as Caribbean countries.

Abdul Shafi stressed the importance of supporting the Palestinian Authority to fulfill its responsibilities across all territories of the State of Palestine, including Gaza, which is an integral part of the State of Palestine.

The event concluded with the screening of a short film documenting the suffering of the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza, after which Ambassador Abdul Shafi invited attendees to participate in a performance presented by the Shatat Palestinian Folklore Troupe in the main square of the UN headquarters.