Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was established by the United Nations General Assembly to carry out direct relief and works programmes for Palestine refugees. The Agency began operations in 1950. The UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states. In the absence of a solution to the Palestine refugee problem, the General Assembly has repeatedly renewed UNRWA's mandate, most recently extending it until June 30, 2017.
This discussion, which coincides with the first mission of the UNRWA Commissioner General, Pierre Krähenbühl to India, will focus on evolving developments in West Asia, the UNRWA’s role and challenges, the fate of Palestine refugees and further prospects for regional cooperation.
Speakers
Pierre Krähenbühl, Commissioner General, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees
Ambassador Vivek Katju, former diplomat and Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs
Moderator
Arun Mohan Sukumar, Head, Cyber Security and Internet Governance Initiative, ORF
