Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Thank you, President.
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Canada, Australia and my own country, New Zealand.
We continue to unequivocally condemn Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023.
After 15 months of conflict and devastating loss of civilian life, we welcome the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage agreement in Gaza.
We hope this critical step will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Israeli and Palestinian people and de-escalate tensions in the region.
We thank Egypt, Qatar and the United States for their considerable efforts in helping achieve this agreement.
We urge all parties to respect its terms and safeguard a lasting peace.
Our thoughts remain with the families of all civilians killed in this conflict, as well as those displaced and taken hostage, and the many humanitarian workers who lost their lives in the service of others.
There remains much work to be done – to release all remaining hostages, including the remains of those deceased; to ensure safe, rapid, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian assistance to civilians; to support reconstruction efforts; and to ensure Hamas has no role in the future governance of Gaza.
We will continue to act in partnership with the international community to support the urgent humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza, particularly during a harsh winter.
And we remain committed to working toward achieving a two-state solution - a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.
President,
We expect Israel to take urgent action to allow greater humanitarian access to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
All parties must fully adhere to international humanitarian law, including by protecting humanitarian personnel. They are essential to facilitating the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in need.
As the Security Council has stated, UNRWA plays a vital role across the region and is the backbone of all humanitarian response in Gaza. It is clear that attempts to dismantle or diminish UNRWA’s operations and mandate will have severe humanitarian consequences for the millions of Palestinian civilians who rely on its services.
UNRWA must be able to continue its life-saving work.
President,
We urge Iran to refrain from any further attacks and condemn the Houthis’ ongoing reckless acts against Israel.
Australia, Canada and New Zealand also welcome the ceasefire agreement to bring an end to hostilities between Israel and Hizballah, and urge all parties to implement its terms fully.
The ceasefire is critical to alleviate the suffering of communities on both sides of the border and ensure displaced populations can return home.
We welcome the recent presidential election which resulted in the appointment of Joseph Aoun and the subsequent appointment of Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister. These are positive steps and we call on the newly appointed Prime Minister to form a cabinet, adopt necessary political and economic reform, and for the government to support the ceasefire`s implementation by asserting its full sovereignty over Lebanese territory.
President,
In a further positive development, we have witnessed the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.
A regime that for decades sponsored conflict, oppression, division, and displacement.
We are witnessing a long overdue opportunity for a chapter of peace, security and stability for the people of Syria. We very much hope this will be seized.
Canada, New Zealand and Australia support the principles outlined in the December 2024 Aqaba statement.
And we hope to see a transparent political process that produces an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government, which protects the rights of all Syrians.
Thank you.