A/RES/80/77 GA
Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly
80
Session
145
Yes
10
No
18
Abstentions
| Draft symbol | A/C.4/80/L.16 |
|---|---|
| Adopted symbol | A/RES/80/77 |
| Category | POLITICAL AND LEGAL QUESTIONS |
| P5 Positions |
|
| UN Document | A/RES/80/77 ↗ |
Vote Recorded Vote — A/80/PV.55
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Full text of resolution
United Nations
A/RES/80/77
General Assembly
Distr.: General
8 December 2025
25-20092 (E)
*2520092*
Eightieth session
Agenda item 49
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
on 5 December 2025
[on the report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee
(Fourth Committee) (A/80/537, para. 15)]
80/77. Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 194 (III) of 11 December 1948, 212 (III) of
19 November 1948, 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 and all subsequent related
resolutions, including its resolutions 78/73 of 7 December 2023, ES-10/25 of
11 December 2024 and ES‑10/27 of 12 June 2025,
Recalling also the relevant resolutions of the Security Council,
Recalling further Security Council resolution 2730 (2024) of 24 May 2024 on
the protection of humanitarian personnel and United Nations and associated personnel
and all other relevant resolutions,
Having considered the report of the Commissioner-General of the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East covering
the period from 1 January to 31 December 2024,1
Taking note of the letter dated 26 June 2025 from the Chair of the Advisory
Commission of the Agency addressed to the Commissioner-General,2
Having considered the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice,
rendered on 22 October 2025, concerning the obligations of Israel in relation to the
presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organizations and
third States in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
_______________
1 Official Records of the General Assembly, Eightieth Session, Supplement No. 13 (A/80/13).
2 Ibid., pp. 7 and 8.
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Recalling the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question
of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which was endorsed
by the General Assembly in its decision 80/506 of 12 September 2025, 3 and
underlined, inter alia, the indispensable role of UNRWA, and expressed the
commitment to continue supporting, including through the appropriate funding, the
Agency in the implementation of its mandate and welcomed its commitment and
ongoing efforts to implement the recommendations of the Colonna Report,
Emphasizing the vital role of the Agency in providing essential education,
health, relief and social services programmes to Palestine refugees, as well as life-
saving humanitarian assistance in all the fields of operation, in Jordan, Lebanon, the
Syrian Arab Republic and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, namely in the Gaza
Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem,
Recalling its resolutions 2252 (ES-V) of 4 July 1967 and 2341 B (XXII) of
19 December 1967 and all subsequent related resolutions, recalling also Security
Council resolutions 237 (1967) of 14 June 1967 and 259 (1968) of 27 September
1968, stressing the necessity of an accelerated return of displaced persons, and calling
for compliance with the mechanism agreed upon by the parties in article XII of the
Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements of 13 September
19934 on the return of displaced persons,
Aware of the continuing needs of the Palestine refugees in all fields of operation
in Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic and the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
Expressing grave concern at the especially dire situation of the Palestine
refugees in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, including
with regard to their safety, well-being and socioeconomic living conditions,
Expressing grave concern also at the catastrophic humanitarian situation of the
Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip as a result of military attacks, severe restrictions
on humanitarian access, mass forced displacement, spread of acute malnutrition and
famine, disease and poverty, mass destruction of civilian infrastructure, including
homes, refugee camps, hospitals and Agency schools and facilities serving as shelters
for displaced persons, and loss of learning and livelihoods,
Expressing grave concern further about the extremely difficult socioeconomic
conditions being faced by the Palestine refugees in the West Bank, including East
Jerusalem, as a result of the recurrent Israeli military operations, settler violence,
severe movement restrictions, the construction of settlements and the wall, evictions,
and the demolition of homes and livelihood properties causing forced transfers of
civilians,
Having considered the letter dated 28 October 2024 from the Secretary-General
addressed to the President of the General Assembly 5 bringing to the attention of the
General Assembly, on an urgent basis, developments which could prevent the Agency
from continuing its essential work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including
East Jerusalem, as mandated by the Assembly, and seeking its guidance and support,
Having considered also the letter dated 28 October 2024 from the
Commissioner-General addressed to the President of the General Assembly warning,
inter alia, that “the Agency is under such physical, political and operational attack –
unprecedented in United Nations history – that implementation of its mandate may
become impossible without decisive intervention by the General Assembly”,
_______________
3 Decision 80/506.
4 A/48/486-S/26560, annex.
5 A/79/558.
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Having considered further the letter dated 31 December 2024 from the
Secretary-General addressed to the President of the General Assembly, in response to
resolution ES-10/26 of 11 December 2024, calling upon all parties to enable the
Agency to carry out its mandate, as adopted by the General Assembly, in all areas of
operation, with full respect for the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality,
impartiality and independence, and to respect international humanitarian law,
including the protection of United Nations and humanitarian facilities,
Condemning the killing, injury and detention contrary to international law of
Agency staff, the attacks affecting its facilities in the Gaza Strip and its compound in
occupied East Jerusalem, and incitement against the Agency, and demanding the
cessation of all such actions,
Deploring the endangerment of the safety of the Agency’s staff and the
unprecedented high number of casualties inflicted on Agency personnel in the Gaza
Strip by military attacks, any breaches of the inviolability of United Nations premises,
and the damage and destruction caused to the facilities and properties of the Agency,
including schools sheltering displaced civilians, stressing the need to maintain the
neutrality and safeguard the inviolability of United Nations premises, installations
and equipment and the immunity of its personnel, and stressing the imperative of
ensuring accountability,
Deploring also the measures taken by Israel, the occupying Power, against the
Agency, including the “Law to Cease UNRWA Operations” and “Law to Cease
UNRWA Operations in the State of Israel”, adopted on 28 October 2024 and enacted
as of 30 January 2025, undermining the delivery of humanitarian assistance to
Palestine refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in the Gaza Strip,
and forcing the evacuation of the international staff of the Agency and the closure of
its schools in East Jerusalem,
Recalling the affirmation by the International Court of Justice in its advisory
opinion of 22 October 2025 that Israel is prohibited from taking actions contrary to
its obligations under articles V and VI of the Convention on the Privileges and
Immunities of the United Nations6 against United Nations officials and experts on
missions operating in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
Recalling also the Court’s affirmation that Israel must refrain from extending its
domestic laws to the occupied territory in any manner inconsistent with its obligation
not to impede the Palestinian people from exercising its right to self-determination,
Deeply concerned about the continuing imposition of restrictions on the freedom
of movement and access of Agency personnel, vehicles and goods, the injury,
harassment and intimidation of the Agency staff, and denial of entry visas to Agency
staff, which undermine and obstruct the work of the Agency, including its ability to
provide life-saving assistance and essential basic and emergency services in
accordance with its mandate,
Deeply concerned also about attempts to discredit the Agency, as well as
attempts to undermine and terminate its operations in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory, including East Jerusalem, despite its proven operational capacity, record of
effective provision of humanitarian and development assistance and consistent
implementation of its mandate in accordance with relevant resolutions and its
regulatory framework, even under the most difficult circumstances, and stressing the
need to safeguard its vital humanitarian and development work and to enable the
_______________
6 Resolution 22 A (I).
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Agency to fully implement its mandate in support of Palestine refugees without
interference,
Taking note of the strategic assessment of the Agency commissioned by the
Secretary-General in the context of the UN80 Initiative, which highlighted the critical
role of the Agency in providing basic services to millions of refugees in Gaza, the
West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic and the international
community’s reliance on the Agency as an effective and immediate response
mechanism for emergencies, providing relief and assistance not only to Palestine
refugees but to all in need, contributing to both humanitarian response and regional
stability,
Recalling the Independent Review of Mechanisms and Procedures to Ensure
Adherence by UNRWA to the Humanitarian Principle of Neutrality, led by Catherine
Colonna, and its findings, welcoming the commitment affirmed by the Secretary-
General and the Agency to fully implement its recommendations, and stressing the
need to provide the Agency with the required resources for implementation,
Underscoring the importance of the Agency continuing to take timely and
appropriate measures to address any credible allegations, and to ensure accountability
for any violations of the Agency’s policies related to the principles of neutrality,
humanity, impartiality and independence,
Taking note of the finding in the advisory opinion of the International Court of
Justice of 22 October 2025 that the United Nations response to alleged violations of
the Agency’s neutrality by individual staff may be a strong indicator of the neutrality
of the Agency as a whole,
Affirming the need for accountability and compensation to victims of violations
of international law in accordance with international standards by all sides,
Reaffirming the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the
Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949,7 to the Palestinian
territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, and underscoring the
obligations of Israel thereunder as the occupying Power,
Recalling Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the Charter of the United Nations and
the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations,
Recalling also the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated
Personnel, 8 Security Council resolution 2730 (2024) and all relevant resolutions
concerning the safety and security of United Nations and humanitarian personnel,
including General Assembly resolution 78/118 of 8 December 2023, as well as
Security Council resolutions on the protection of humanitarian personnel and United
Nations and associated personnel, including resolution 2175 (2014) of 29 August
2014 and resolution 2730 (2024),
Deeply concerned about the extremely critical financial situation of the Agency,
caused by the structural underfunding of the Agency, as well as by rising needs and
expenditures resulting from the deterioration of the socioeconomic and humanitarian
conditions and the conflicts and rising instability in the region and their significant
negative impact on the ability of the Agency to deliver essential services to the
Palestine refugees, including its emergency, recovery, reconstruction and
development programmes in all fields of operation,
_______________
7 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973.
8 Ibid., vol. 2051, No. 35457.
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Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the operations of the
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, 9
submitted pursuant to resolution 71/93 of 6 December 2016, and the request contained
therein for broad consultations to explore all ways and means, including through
voluntary and assessed contributions, to ensure that the Agency’s funding is
sufficient, predictable and sustained for the duration of its mandate, and considering
the recommendations contained in the report,
Taking note also of the report of 31 May 2025 of the Commissioner-General,
submitted pursuant to paragraph 57 of the report of the Secretary-General and in
follow-up to the update to the special report of 3 August 2015 of the Commissioner-
General,10 submitted pursuant to paragraph 21 of General Assembly resolution 302
(IV), regarding the severe financial crisis of the Agency and the negative implications
for the continued delivery of core Agency programmes to the Palestine refugees in all
fields of operation,
Expressing appreciation for the efforts of donors and host countries to respond
to the Agency’s unprecedented financial crisis, including through generous, additional
contributions and, where possible, continued increases in voluntary contributions and
agreements for multi-year funding, while acknowledging the steadfast support of all
other donors to the Agency,
Welcoming the contributions made to the Agency’s emergency appeals,
including to address the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and
calling urgently upon the international community to continue its support in light of
the immense needs and the fact that these appeals remain severely underfunded,
Noting that contributions have not been predictable enough or sufficient to meet
growing needs and remedy the persistent shortfalls, thereby undermining the
Agency’s operations and efforts to promote human development and meet Palestine
refugees’ basic needs, and stressing the need for further efforts to comprehensively
address the recurrent funding shortfalls affecting the Agency’s operations,
Recognizing the Agency’s extensive efforts to rapidly develop innovative and
diversified ways to address its financial shortfall and mobilize resources, including
through the expansion of the donor base and partnerships with United Nations entities,
international financial institutions, the private sector and civil society, including
through special digital campaigns,
Commending the Agency for the measures taken to address the financial crisis,
despite difficult operational circumstances, including through the implementation of
the strategic plan 2023–2028 and various internal measures to contain expenditures,
reduce operational and administrative costs, maximize the use of resources and reduce
the funding shortfalls, and expressing profound concern that, despite such measures,
the Agency’s programme budget, which is funded primarily by voluntary
contributions from Member States and intergovernmental organizations, faces
persistent shortfalls that continue to threaten the delivery of the Agency’s core
programmes of assistance to the Palestine refugees,
Recalling its resolution 65/272 of 18 April 2011, in which it requested the
Secretary-General to continue to support the institutional strengthening of the
Agency, and stressing the need to support the Agency’s capacity to uphold its mandate
and to avert the serious humanitarian, political and security risks that would result
from any interruption or suspension of its vital work,
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9 A/71/849.
10 A/70/272, annex.
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Recognizing that the recurring and growing financial shortfalls directly affecting
the sustainability of the Agency’s operations need to be remedied by examining new
funding modalities designed to put the Agency on a stable financial footing to enable
it to effectively carry out its core programmes in accordance with its mandate and
commensurate with humanitarian needs,
Welcoming the joint efforts of host countries and donors to mobilize support for
the Agency, including through extraordinary ministerial meetings, inter alia, the most
recent ministerial meeting hosted by Jordan, Brazil and Spain on 25 September 2025,
aimed at urgently addressing the Agency’s funding shortfall and the need for
predictable multi-year funding, expanding donor support for the Agency and
reaffirming support for its mandate,
Emphasizing the continuing need for assistance to Palestine refugees in the
Syrian Arab Republic, as well as those who have fled to neighbouring countries,
including in particular in Lebanon, where an unprecedented financial crisis is further
affecting socioeconomic conditions among the refugees and exacerbating already
high unemployment and poverty rates,
Aware of the valuable work done by the Agency in providing protection to the
Palestinian people, in particular Palestine refugees, and recalling the need for the
protection of all civilians in situations of armed conflict,
Recognizing the efforts of Agency staff in all fields of operation to uphold the
Agency’s mandate, including the healthcare staff for their dedication in responding to
the profound stress caused to the health system by the high number of civilian
casualties and damage and destruction of healthcare facilities in the Gaza Strip and
the education staff for their efforts to provide continuity in education to the extent
possible in times of emergency,
Recalling the statement of 15 July 1999 and the declarations adopted on
5 December 2001 and on 17 December 201411 by the Conference of High Contracting
Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, including the call upon Parties to facilitate
the activities of the Agency, to guarantee its protection and to refrain from levying
taxes and imposing undue financial burdens,
Aware of the agreement between the Agency and the Government of Israel,
Taking note of the agreement reached on 24 June 1994, embodied in an exchange
of letters between the Agency and the Palestine Liberation Organization, 12
Stressing the urgent need for the provision of the necessary humanitarian
assistance and funding support for the advancement of reconstruction and recovery in
the Gaza Strip in accordance, inter alia, with the Arab-Islamic Early Recovery,
Reconstruction and Development Plan for Gaza,13 including by ensuring the timely
facilitation of construction projects, including extensive shelter repair, and the need
for the accelerated implementation of other urgent United Nations-led civilian
reconstruction activities, and calling upon Israel to ensure the expedited and
unimpeded import of all necessary construction materials into the Gaza Strip and to
reduce the burdensome cost of importation of Agency supplies,
Stressing also that the situation in the Gaza Strip is unsustainable and that the
ceasefire agreement must lead to a fundamental improvement in the living conditions
of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, including through the sustained and
_______________
11 A/69/711-S/2015/1, annex.
12 Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty-ninth Session, Supplement No. 13 (A/49/13),
annex I.
13 See A/79/820-S/2025/151.
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regular opening of crossing points, and must ensure the safety and well-being of
civilians on both sides,
Affirming the need to support the Palestinian Government in its assumption of
full government responsibilities in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, in all fields,
as well as through its presence at Gaza’s crossing points,
Reaffirming that the effective functioning of the United Nations Relief and
Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East remains essential in all fields
of operation,
1.
Affirms its full support for the mandate of the United Nations Relief and
Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in all of its fields of operation,
namely Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic and the Occupied Palestinian
Territory;
2.
Reaffirms the necessity for the continuation of the work of the Agency and
the importance of its unimpeded operation and provision of services, including
emergency assistance, for the well-being, protection and human development of the
Palestine refugees and for the stability of the region, pending the just resolution of
the question of the Palestine refugees in line with the relevant resolutions;
3.
Stresses that, at a time of heightened conflict and instability in the Middle
East, the Agency continues to play an indispensable role in ameliorating the plight of
the more than 6 million Palestine refugees registered with the Agency and in
providing a crucial measure of stability in the region, including in Gaza in the post-
ceasefire period and including by mitigating the consequences of alarming trends and
severe crises in the Agency’s areas of operation, including increasing violence,
marginalization and poverty;
4.
Expresses its appreciation for the tireless efforts of the Commissioner-
General and the staff of the Agency in all fields of operation in fulfilment of the
mandate of the Agency and respect for the principles of humanity, neutrality,
impartiality and independence, particularly in the light of the dire humanitarian
conditions, instability and unprecedented crises faced during the past year;
5.
Commends the Agency for its extraordinary efforts, in cooperation with
other United Nations agencies on the ground, to provide emergency humanitarian
assistance, including shelter, food and medical aid, to refugees and affected civilians
during periods of crisis and conflict, and recognizes its exemplary capacity to
mobilize in emergency situations while continuously carrying out its core human
development programmes, particularly its education programme;
6.
Endorses the efforts of the Commissioner-General of the Agency to
continue to provide humanitarian assistance, as far as practicable, on an emergency
basis, and as a temporary measure, to persons in the area who are currently displaced
and in serious need of continued assistance as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent
hostilities, while reaffirming the right of all persons displaced as a result of the June
1967 and subsequent hostilities to return to their homes or former places of residence
in the territories occupied by Israel since 1967;
7.
Emphasizes in particular that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency
for Palestine Refugees in the Near East remains the backbone of all humanitarian
response and basic services for Palestine refugees in Gaza and the other fields of
operation in the region, and affirms that no organization can replace or substitute the
Agency’s capacity and mandate to serve Palestine refugees and civilians in urgent
need of life-saving humanitarian assistance;
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8.
Underscores in this regard the critical role also to be played by the Agency
in implementing urgently needed recovery and stabilization efforts in a post-ceasefire
period in the Gaza Strip, considering its personnel capacity, operational agility,
network of facilities, decades of proven humanitarian and human development
expertise and cost-effective operations in comparison to other organizations;
9.
Recalls the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the
Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, and
underscores the commitment to continue supporting the Agency in the
implementation of its mandate, including through the appropriate funding, as well as
its commitment and ongoing efforts to implement the recommendations of the
Colonna Report, and that, upon the achievement of a just solution to the Palestine
refugee issue, to be agreed upon in accordance with resolution 194 (III), the Agency
will hand over its public-like services in the Palestinian territory to empowered and
prepared Palestinian institutions;
10. Recognizes the critical contribution the Agency can make in implementing
the New York Declaration, the Arab-Islamic Early Recovery, Reconstruction and
Development Plan for Gaza, and other major international initiatives, including the
ceasefire agreement, as it serves as a pillar for regional stability, including through
the scaling-up of humanitarian assistance, restoration of education, health, water,
sanitation and other basic services, and support for Palestinian capacity-building, and
requests the Secretary-General to inform the General Assembly as soon as possible of
how the Agency can concretely contribute in this regard;
11.
Strongly warns against any attempts to dismantle or diminish the
operations and mandate of the Agency, recognizing that any interruption or
suspension of its work would have severe humanitarian consequences for millions of
Palestine refugees who depend on the Agency’s services and also implications for the
region;
12. Deplores the legislation adopted by the Israeli Knesset on 28 October 2024
and enacted as of January 2025, and calls upon the Israeli Government to abide by its
international obligations, respect the privileges and immunities of the Agency and
uphold its responsibility to allow and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered
humanitarian assistance in all its forms into and throughout the entire Gaza Strip,
including the provision of sorely needed basic services to the civilian population;
13. Also deplores breaches of the inviolability of United Nations premises, the
failure to accord the property and assets of the Organization immunity, the failure to
protect United Nations personnel, premises and property and any disruption caused
to Agency operations by such violations;
14. Condemns the killing and injury of Agency personnel, including over 300
staff members among at least 56514 humanitarian workers killed in Israeli attacks in
the Gaza Strip since October 2023;
15. Demands that all parties act, in accordance with international law and the
relevant resolutions, to enable the Agency to carry out its mandate, as adopted by the
General Assembly, in all fields of operation, with full respect for the humanitarian
principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, and respect
international humanitarian law obligations, including the protection of United Nations
and humanitarian facilities;
_______________
14 United Nations, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, situation report of
9 October 2025.
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16. Also demands that Israel respect the mandate of the Agency and its
privileges and immunities and act forthwith to enable its operations to proceed
without impediment or restriction in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East
Jerusalem, including, inter alia, to allow and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered
humanitarian assistance in all its forms into and throughout the entire Gaza Strip in
accordance with the mandate of the Agency and to alleviate the humanitarian
catastrophe, including by fully lifting the restrictions impeding or delaying the import
of necessary construction materials and supplies for the reconstruction and repair of
damaged and destroyed refugee shelters and the implementation of urgently needed
civilian infrastructure projects in the refugee camps in the Gaza Strip and the West
Bank;
17. Reiterates its demand that Israel comply without delay with all its legal
obligations under international law, including, inter alia, to take all necessary and
effective measures to ensure, in full cooperation with the United Nations, the
unhindered provision at scale by all concerned of urgently needed basic services and
humanitarian assistance, including food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing,
hygiene and sanitation requirements, as well as medical supplies and medical care, to
the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip;
18. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to comply fully with the
provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in
Time of War, of 12 August 1949;
19. Underscores the findings in the advisory opinion of the International Court
of Justice of 22 October 2025 relevant to the mandate and operations of the Agency,
including, inter alia, the Court’s findings regarding the Agency’s impartiality and
neutrality, in line with paragraphs 114 and 118 of the advisory opinion, and that Israel,
as the occupying Power, and in view of the scale and urgency of needs of the
Palestinian population and that it is inadequately supplied with humanitarian aid and
essential basic services, is obligated to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided
by the United Nations and its entities, including the Agency, in accordance with
international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, and with
the obligation of Member States under the Charter of the United Nations to cooperate
in good faith with the United Nations and its entities;
20. Also underscores the Court’s reaffirmation of the permanent responsibility
of the United Nations towards the question of Palestine until it is justly resolved in
all its aspects and the Court’s recognition that, since its establishment, the Agency has
been an indispensable provider of humanitarian relief and basic services for the
Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip and the wider region, and that Israel is not entitled
to unilaterally decide on the presence and activities of United Nations entities in and
in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, nor unilaterally revoke the privileges
and immunities accorded to the United Nations and its personnel, including the
Agency;
21. Calls upon Israel to abide by Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the Charter of
the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United
Nations in all aspects and to ensure the safety of the personnel of the Agency, the
protection of its installations and the safeguarding of the security of its facilities in
the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, at all times, to comply
with international humanitarian law, and to cease obstructing the movement and
access of the staff, vehicles and supplies of the Agency and levying taxes, extra fees
and charges on the Agency;
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22. Underscores the imperative of reparations, in accordance with
international law, for all losses, damage and destruction sustained by the Agency in
the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and calls upon the Secretary-General to undertake
the necessary assessments to this end;
23. Calls upon all parties to ensure respect for and the protection of all
humanitarian personnel and United Nations and associated personnel, to respect the
principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence for the provision of
humanitarian assistance and to respect and protect the inviolability of United Nations
premises;
24. Calls upon the Agency to continue to fully implement its high-level action
plan for the implementation of the 50 recommendations of the Independent Review
of Mechanisms and Procedures to Ensure Adherence by UNRWA to the Humanitarian
Principle of Neutrality (Colonna Report) and to keep donors and other Member States
regularly informed of the progress, welcomes the commitment affirmed by the
Secretary-General and the Agency to fully implement the recommendations and the
considerable progress already achieved, and urges Member States to provide the
necessary political and financial support to enable timely and effective
implementation;
25. Stresses the need to support the capacity of the Agency to uphold its
mandate and to avert the serious humanitarian, political and security risks that would
result from any interruption or suspension of its vital work;
26. Endorses the efforts of the Commissioner-General to continue to provide
humanitarian assistance, as far as is practicable, on an emergency basis and as a
temporary measure, to persons in the area who are internally displaced and in serious
need of continuing assistance as a result of recent crises in the Agency’s fields of
operation;
27. Encourages the Agency, in close cooperation with other relevant United
Nations entities, to continue to make progress in addressing the needs, rights and
protection of children, women and persons with disabilities in its operations,
including through the provision of necessary psychosocial and humanitarian support,
in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 15 the Convention on
the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 16 and the Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;17
28. Also encourages the Agency to continue to reduce the vulnerability and
improve the self-reliance and resilience of Palestine refugees through its programmes;
29. Recognizes the acute protection needs of Palestine refugees across the
region, and encourages the Agency’s efforts to contribute to a coordinated and
sustained response in accordance with international law, including the Agency’s
protection strategic framework;
30. Commends the Agency for its humanitarian and psychosocial support
programmes and other initiatives that provide recreational, cultural and educational
activities for children in all fields, including in the Gaza Strip, recognizing their
positive contribution, calls for full support for such initiatives by donor and host
countries, and encourages the building and strengthening of partnerships to facilitate
and enhance the provision of these services;
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15 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1577, No. 27531.
16 Ibid., vol. 1249, No. 20378.
17 Ibid., vol. 2515, No. 44910.
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31. Appeals for the continued maintenance and enhancement of the Agency’s
refugee registration system and the preservation of its historical archives, and
emphasizes the importance of ensuring that these tools remain accessible to refugee
families as a means of safeguarding their rights and their heritage, pending a just and
lasting resolution;
32. Welcomes the efforts of donors, organizations and host countries to
respond to the Agency’s unprecedented financial crisis, including through generous,
additional contributions, including to the Agency’s emergency appeals;
33. Calls upon Member States and relevant stakeholders to provide the widest
possible support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine
Refugees in the Near East, in order to enable the Agency to uphold its mandate;
34. Expresses its deep appreciation to all donor countries and organizations
that have, inter alia, sustained, accelerated or increased their contributions to the
Agency, helping to alleviate its recurrent financial crises, to mitigate imminent risks
to its core and emergency programming and to prevent an interruption of essential
assistance to Palestine refugees;
35. Welcomes the Statement of Shared Commitments on UNRWA, initiated by
Jordan, Kuwait and Slovenia on 22 May 2024, which expressed support for the
Agency to effectively uphold the mandate conferred on the Agency by the General
Assembly in all fields of operation in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, including East
Jerusalem, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic and emphasized the
indispensable role of the Agency in its 75 years of existence and work in assisting the
Palestine refugees and its contribution to regional stability;
36. Expresses its appreciation for the important support and cooperation
provided by the host Governments to the Agency in the discharge of its duties;
37. Also expresses its appreciation to the Advisory Commission of the Agency,
and requests it to continue its efforts and to keep the General Assembly informed of
its activities;
38. Takes note of the report of the Working Group on the Financing of the
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East 18
and the efforts to assist in ensuring the financial security of the Agency, and requests
the Secretary-General to continue to provide the necessary services and assistance to
the Working Group for the conduct of its work;
39. Urges immediate efforts to address the financial and operational crises
affecting the Agency due, inter alia, to rising needs and expenditures resulting from
the deterioration of the socioeconomic conditions, unprecedented humanitarian crises
and the conflicts and rising instability in the region and their significant negative
impact on the ability of the Agency to deliver essential services to the Palestine
refugees, especially in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Lebanon;
40. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the operations of the
Agency19 and the conclusions and recommendations contained therein, including the
proposal for an increased assessed contribution from the regular budget of the United
Nations;
41. Recognizes the Agency’s extremely dire financial situation and the
necessity to strengthen its capacity to respond to the increased and emerging needs
related to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, as well as to
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18 A/79/329.
19 A/71/849.
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continue
to
strengthen
and
sustain
the Agency’s
compliance
with
the
recommendations of the Independent Review (Colonna Report) through increased
contributions, including from the assessed regular budget of the United Nations;
42. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a proposal for funding
requirements in the context of the proposed programme budget for 2027, in support
of international staff requirements, in accordance with resolution 3331 B (XXIX) of
17 December 1974;
43. Calls upon the members of the Advisory Commission and the Working
Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine
Refugees in the Near East to consider the relevant recommendations in the report of
the Secretary-General, including to help the Agency to address resource mobilization
challenges and to actively assist the Commissioner-General in the efforts to create
sustainable, sufficient and predictable support for the Agency’s operations;
44. Requests the Commissioner-General to continue efforts to maintain and
increase traditional donor support and to enhance income from non‑traditional donors,
including through partnerships with public and private entities and exploration of
financial avenues in relation to the implementation of the Sustainable Development
Goals;20
45. Urges States and organizations to actively pursue partnerships with and
innovative support for the Agency, including as recommended in paragraphs 47, 48
and 50 of the report of the Secretary-General,21 including through the establishment
of endowments, trust funds or revolving fund mechanisms and assistance to the
Agency to access humanitarian, development and peace and security trust funds and
grants, as well as financing from international financial development institutions;
46. Appeals to States and organizations for voluntary contributions to the
Agency, including multi-year funding agreements, full and timely disbursements of
pledges and an increase in such contributions where possible, in particular for the
programme budget of the Agency, as well as for its emergency, recovery and
reconstruction programmes as set out in its appeals and response plans, to support the
mandate of the Agency, to alleviate its recurrent underfunding, to mitigate imminent
risks to its core and emergency programming and to prevent the interruption of
essential assistance to the Palestine refugees and the dire repercussions of any such
interruption;
47. Reiterates its appeals to all States, the specialized agencies, and
intergovernmental and non‑governmental organizations to continue and to augment
their contributions to the programme budget of the Agency, to increase their special
allocations for grants and scholarships for higher education to Palestine refugees and
to contribute to the establishment of vocational training centres for Palestine refugees,
and requests the Agency to act as the recipient and trustee for the special allocations
for grants and scholarships;
48. Calls upon the Commissioner-General to include, in the annual reporting
to the General Assembly, assessments on the progress made to remedy the recurrent
funding shortfalls of the Agency and ensure sustained, sufficient and predictable
support for the Agency’s operations, including through the implementation of the
relevant provisions of the present resolution;
49. Recognizes the important and indispensable role of the Agency in its 75
years of existence and work in assisting the Palestine refugees throughout its five
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20 See resolution 70/1.
21 A/71/849.
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fields of operations and contributing to regional stability; underscores that it is
irreplaceable, and stresses the importance of cooperation of all States and other United
Nations bodies with the Agency to enable the effective implementation of its mandate
in all fields of operation until the realization of a just solution to the question of
Palestine, including for the Palestine refugees, in accordance with the relevant United
Nations resolutions.
55th plenary meeting
5 December 2025
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