KINGDOM OF BELGIUM Statement delivered by H.E. Alexander DE CROO Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Development Cooperation UNRWA Pledging Conference New York, 06/23/2020 I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my congratulations to Mr Lazzarini on his appointment as Commissioner-General. In the absence of a just and lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, Belgium recognizes that UNRWA's mandate remains vital for the refugees. As a flexible and predictable humanitarian donor, Belgium disbursed its annual commitment in the beginning of the year, as part of our recurrent multi-year financial agreements. We are currently looking at complementary funding for 2020. We also request UNRWA to look at alternative sources of funding, while at the same time focusing on its core mandate. Synergies with other humanitarian actors outside of UNRWA’s fields of expertise need to be sought. Gender and sexual and reproductive health is a key priority. The lack of access to family planning services for unmarried people or the challenges married girls face to continue their education, is a liability for a UN agency. We count on your commitment to make progress in this regard, and we stand ready to assist you in tackling the challenges in the field. Belgium joins other states in expressing our grave concern regarding the risk of annexation of parts of the West Bank. Annexation would have grave consequences on the status and political, civil, economic and social rights of Palestinians. It would increase forcible transfers of already fragile communities; often already displaced multiple times. Annexation would be a clear breach of international law. In addition, it would limit UNRWA's ability to implement its mandate and to assist the refugee populations in these annexed areas. 1 I thank you. 2 .