Affirming Indonesia's Support For UNRWA, Foreign Minister Sugiono: Not Choice But Must

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that Indonesia will always provide support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Speaking at the Ministerial High Level Meeting on UNRWA on the sidelines of the United Nations' 80th General Assembly in New York, United States Thursday local time, Foreign Minister Sugiono said Indonesia was ready to support politically and financially.

In his statement, the Indonesian Foreign Minister emphasized that the role of UNRWA is "very vital and irreplaceable" for millions of Palestinian refugees, especially in the midst of the ongoing humanitarian crisis situation in Gaza. The Foreign Minister expressed deep concern over the big challenges that UNRWA is now facing, including political pressure, lack of funding, and efforts to destabilize its mandate.

Therefore, according to Foreign Minister Sugiono, Indonesia will continue to fully support the UNRWA mandate update.

"Political support for UNRWA is not an option, but a must," said Foreign Minister Sugiono, quoting a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friday, September 26.

Foreign Minister Sugiono also added that Indonesia will continue to provide financial support for UNRWA, including through innovative mechanisms.

" DEFENDing UNRWA means defending justice for Palestine," Foreign Minister Sugiono tweeted on a separate occasion on social media X Foreign Minister_RI.