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EU Statement on the Impact and consequences of the current situation in the Gaza Strip/Palestine in all aspects of UNESCO's mandate - 43rd Session of the General Conference, UNESCO

European External Action Service (EEAS)

03.11.2025
Strategic Communications

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU, candidate countries Moldova and Montenegro and the Principalities of Andorra and Monaco and the Republic of San Marino.

Dear colleagues,

The EU supports UNESCO's engagement in Gaza, within all areas of its competence and mandate.

More than two years of conflict in Gaza have led to the closure of all education facilities, affecting more than 700,000 children and other students; the conflict has damaged hundreds of cultural sites, disrupted creative industries and severely hampered journalists in carrying out their vital work while fearing for their lives or arrest. UNESCO's actions and emergency assistance are crucial to addressing this unacceptable situation.

The EU and its member states have been providing humanitarian and financial assistance to help meet the basic needs of the Palestinian people. Since the 7 October 2023 Hamas terrorist attack and the start of the war in Gaza, the EU has been providing for the needs of the affected Palestinian civilians with almost € 1,44 billion in humanitarian assistance.

The EU welcomes the agreement reached on the first phase of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza conflict put forward by President Trump, as well as the outcome of the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit for Peace held on 13 October 2025. We commend the diplomatic efforts led by the United States and the role played by the regional mediators, which the European Union has consistently supported. We call on all parties to fully commit to implementing all phases and to refrain from any actions that jeopardise the agreement.

We reiterate our commitment to international law and to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.

Thank you.