First of all I would like to thank UNRWA, today represented by Deputy Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi, for the important and tireless work the organisation is carrying out in a complex, and often insecure environment.
The last year has been a challenging one for UNRWA. Great efforts have been made to meet the increased humanitarian need of many of the refugees, not least in Gaza and southern Lebanon. At the same time the organisation has held its first meetings of the ”new”, enlarged and revitalized, Advisory Commission. The preparations for the launching of the comprehensive reform package – the Organizational Development Package - on 1 January 2007 have been intense.
Sweden is, and will continue to be a strong supporter of UNRWA. This is reflected in an increase of our core contribution for 2007, approximately 34 million USD. I would like also to mention that Sweden has contributed to the UNRWA emergency appeals for the West Bank and Gaza to an amount in the order of 11,5 million USD during this year. In addition, we have contributed financially to the interim phase of the OD-package.
I would like to stress the importance of continuing the work to broaden the donor and partner base, and to strive for more predictable contributions to UNRWA. That would strongly help the organisation to carry out its important work.
Finally, we are looking forward to working with a reinforced UNRWA in the up-coming years. We are especially pleased with the fact that the reform process is on track, which enables the organisation to become even more efficient in fulfilling its mandate. Together with the other donors and host countries we are prepared to continue to be strong supporters of UNRWA in its endeavours.