UNRWA’s new challenges

Endemic poverty, the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, a worrying financial crisis, difficult times between 2018 and 2020, relations with Switzerland and other donor countries, a new political situation in the Middle East following the rapprochement between certain Arab states and Israel: To what extent can the UN Relief Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), established in December 1949, which assists some 5.8 million Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, continue to operate? UNRWA’s Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini will discuss the challenges facing UNRWA with two Middle East specialists at the Swiss Press Club.

with the participation of

Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner General of UNRWA

Mr. Vincent Pasquier, Head of Regional Coordination Middle East, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs – FDFA

Mr. Riccardo Bocco, Middle East Specialist, Professor Emeritus, IHEID/The Graduate Institute, Geneva

Moderation :

Mr. Pierre Ruestchi, Executive Director of the Swiss Press Club, and Ms. Luisa Ballin, UN accredited journalist