Türkiye and UNRWA Sign Agreement to Open Agency Office in Türkiye
Istanbul, The Gulf Observer: Türkiye and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) have signed a landmark agreement to establish an official UNRWA office in the country, marking a new chapter in their longstanding cooperation.
The Host Country Agreement was signed on Monday on the sidelines of the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), currently taking place in Istanbul. According to UNRWA, the agreement represents a significant milestone in its relationship with Türkiye and underscores the country’s consistent political and financial support for the agency.
Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, welcomed the signing, describing it as a “strategic decision” that will allow the agency to diversify and expand its political and financial support base. “This new office will enable UNRWA to deepen cooperation and build an even stronger partnership with Turkish institutions and the Turkish public,” he said.
Lazzarini also commended the Turkish government for stepping up its humanitarian assistance during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He noted that Türkiye has utilized a combination of financial contributions and in-kind aid, such as the provision of wheat flour, to support the agency’s lifesaving operations.
The agreement is expected to facilitate greater coordination and collaboration between UNRWA and various Turkish institutions. “Through this Host Country Agreement, the cooperation between UNRWA and the government of Türkiye is set to grow,” the agency stated.
Türkiye has been a member of the UNRWA Advisory Commission since 1949 and remains a longstanding partner in supporting Palestinian refugees. UNRWA provides essential services, including primary healthcare, education, and emergency assistance to millions of Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the occupied West Bank (including East Jerusalem), Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.
