EU Presidency Statement - Draft Resolution 'UNWRA operations'

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to provide this statement on behalf of the European Union on the draft resolution entitled "UNRWA operations" under agenda item 76 "UNRWA".

As in earlier years, the European Union has voted in favour of the present resolution. Allow me at this point to make an additional comment on the position of the European Union concerning UNRWA operations.

Mr. Chairman,

It is our clear conviction that gender mainstreaming of the UN system, including UNRWA, should be further strengthened with a view to obtaining gender equality in all fields and maximum participation of women on equal terms with men.

Therefore, the EU warmly welcomes the important progress made by UNRWA in this regard. It is in this vein that the EU had requested to include a formulation in the present resolution regarding UNRWA's registration procedure and criteria, with a view to enabling the registration of descendants of female refugees married to non-refugees. We regret that it was not possible to reach agreement to include language to that effect this year and we hope that further progress can be made regarding this issue at next year's session of the Fourth Committee.

| Haut |