Translated with AI
The three-day International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Question has concluded at the United Nations headquarters. The event, which took place from July 29 to 31, brought together delegations from dozens of UN member states. The conference was organized by France and Saudi Arabia to strengthen international support for the “two-state” solution as a basis for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Despite their broad international representation, Israel and the United States did not send representatives to the forum.
Declaration of Solidarity
The conference resulted in the adoption of the so-called “New York Declaration,” in which the participating countries expressed their commitment to collective action aimed at immediately ending hostilities in the Gaza Strip and achieving sustainable peace.
The document emphasizes that “a two-state solution remains the only viable way to end the conflict and ensure a just future for both Palestinians and Israelis.”
Critical phase of the conflict
The conference took place against the backdrop of ongoing fighting in Gaza, a humanitarian catastrophe and an escalating international situation in the Middle East.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at the opening of the forum, said the conflict had reached a "critical point" and called for immediate political efforts to achieve peace.
"For the Palestinians, statehood is a right, not a reward," the UN chief stressed, reaffirming the organization's commitment to resolving the conflict within the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as the capital of two states.
Positions of States
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that Paris intends to officially recognize Palestine in September 2025. Similar statements were previously made by representatives of Great Britain, which links recognition of Palestinian statehood with Israel's actions to de-escalate the conflict.
Currently, 148 of the 193 UN member states have recognized Palestine. In 2024, Spain, Ireland, and Norway joined the ranks of countries that officially recognized its independence.
