ICELAND SIGNS FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT WITH UNRWA IN SUPPORT OF PALESTINE REFUGEES, SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES CONTRIBUTION

NEW YORK,

Today, Iceland’s Foreign Minister Ms. Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir and UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini signed a multi-year framework agreement for the years 2024-2028 in support of Palestine Refugees in UNRWA’s five fields of operation. The signature took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Heeding the Agency’s urgent call for flexible, predictable and multi-year funding, Iceland has substantially increased its annual contribution to UNRWA from ISK 25 million (c. US$ 184,000) to ISK 110 million (c. US$ 810,000).

“We are immensely grateful to Iceland for this multi-year framework agreement, and particularly for the significant increase in its contribution in support of Palestine Refugees. This kind of contribution gives us the predictability we need to deliver public-like services. Iceland’s donorship is one to follow,” said the UNRWA Commissioner-General.

At a critical time for the Agency, the five-year contribution will help UNRWA deliver its human development programmes to Palestine Refugees in the Middle East, including education for over half a million girls and boys in 706 UNRWA schools and primary health care for nearly two million Palestine Refugees who access 140 UNRWA primary health-care facilities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Icelandic Foreign Minister Gylfadóttir said, “I am pleased to reaffirm Iceland’s continued and longstanding partnership with UNRWA, and our commitment to support UNRWA’s mission to help Palestinian refugees achieve their full potential under difficult circumstances.”

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Notes to Editors

• Iceland is a strong supporter of UNRWA development assistance, while also contributing to emergency appeals in support of the Agency’s humanitarian work. Its first contribution to the Agency took place in 1967. In 2023, Iceland contributed US$ 621,355 for human development aid and various projects.