（10 June,2024）

Thank you, DDG Drake,

First, I would like to thank DG Houngbo for convening today’s Development Partners meeting.

I would also like to thank the co-facilitators and Ms. Sigrid Kaag as well as the secretariat for their update and presentations.

China appreciates the efforts by the International Labour Organization (ILO) secretariat and its partners in implementing ILO Emergency Response Plan (ERP) for the Occupied Palestinian Territory to mitigate the impact of the war on Palestinian workers and employers, and the progress that has been achieved, including supporting Gazan workers stranded in the West Bank and facilitating the transportation of containers owned by businesses in Gaza to the West Bank.

Gaza is in the midst of a humanitarian disaster. It is a priority to achieve unconditional and immediate ceasefire, and to improve the humanitarian situation in the occupied territory. Immediate and sustainable cease fire is urgently needed to enable the rapid and safe delivery of large-scale humanitarian aid and protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip.

We call for immediate and effective implementation of relevant United Nations resolutions, in particular Security Council resolutions 2712, 2720 and 2728. This is the only credible way to guarantee peace and security for all and to ensure effective implementation of the ERP, including employment promotion, social protection and business recovery in the West Bank and Gaza, as the ongoing armed conflicts are posing grave challenges to any relief and recovery efforts.

China supports international efforts for humanitarian relief in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and post conflict recovery. China has provided emergency humanitarian aid bilaterally and through UN agencies since the escalation of the conflict last October. At the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum recently held in Beijing, China committed to make further donations in support of emergency humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including 3 million US dollars to the UNRWA.

China supports ILO’s efforts to implement its mandate and the ERP, and to coordinate with other agencies of the United Nations in further strengthening partnerships, broadening funding channels and utilizing available resources.

The war in Gaza should not continue indefinitely. We will continue to work with all partners to promote ceasefire and peace, and to support ILO’s efforts to address the immediate and emerging needs of the Palestinian labour market.

Thank you.