Saudi Arabia and France Co-Host Landmark UN Conference on Two-State Solution
New York, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan reaffirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s steadfast commitment to the two-state solution as the cornerstone for regional peace and stability, during the high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue, held Monday at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Jointly organized by Saudi Arabia and France, the conference marks a significant diplomatic milestone aimed at advancing tangible steps toward the implementation of the two-state solution and resolving the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“The Kingdom believes that the two-state solution is the key to stability in the region,” Prince Faisal declared in his opening remarks, describing the conference as a “critical turning point” toward realizing this objective.
Underscoring the necessity of ensuring the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights, Prince Faisal welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent pledge to formally recognize the State of Palestine. He further called for an immediate cessation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, announcing that Saudi Arabia and France had facilitated the transfer of $300 million through the World Bank to support Palestinians.
Prince Faisal also reiterated that the Arab Peace Initiative remains the foundation for any comprehensive and just peace settlement. He emphasized the importance of international backing for the International Coalition for the Two-State Solution, urging global actors to remain unified in pursuit of lasting peace.
France Stresses Urgency for Political Action
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot echoed the call for urgent international action, strongly condemning the ongoing targeting of civilians in Gaza. “This war has gone on far too long and must end,” Barrot stated, urging the global community to transform the two-state vision into a concrete reality.
Describing the conference as a “turning point,” Barrot said it had generated “unstoppable momentum toward a political resolution in the Middle East.”
United Nations Chief: Political Will is Crucial
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres thanked Saudi Arabia and France for convening the high-level meeting, which he called “a unique opportunity to seize the current momentum.”
Guterres stressed that the conflict could only be resolved through genuine political will and reaffirmed the UN’s full support for the two-state solution. He condemned the ongoing illegal annexation of Palestinian territories and underscored that all actions undermining the two-state framework must cease immediately.
Palestinian Prime Minister: Peace Through Unity
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa described the two-state solution as a “historic opportunity for all,” expressing deep appreciation to Saudi Arabia and France for their leadership in organizing the conference.
He stated that the event sends a powerful message to Palestinians that the international community stands with them in their pursuit of justice and statehood. Calling for Palestinian unity, Mustafa urged Hamas to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority and proposed the deployment of internationally coordinated forces to protect civilians in Gaza.
“We are ready to fulfill all our obligations in Gaza. Peace is the only way forward,” he affirmed.
Toward a Just and Lasting Peace
The New York conference is widely seen as a diplomatic watershed moment, seeking to restore international consensus around the two-state solution and pave the way toward an end to the ongoing Israeli occupation, repeated violations of international law, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
As momentum builds, stakeholders have voiced hope that the renewed international engagement will finally translate into decisive action to bring about a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
