FM Partakes in Arab League Consultative Ministerial Meeting

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Ayman Safadi participated in a consultative ministerial meeting of Arab League member states, held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting, chaired by Yemeni Foreign Minister Shaya Mohsin Zindani, discussed ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the escalation in the occupied West Bank. Ministers expressed full solidarity with Lebanon, condemning the Israeli attacks that have caused hundreds of casualties. They held Israel accountable for this escalation, which threatens regional security and stability and could spark a regional war. The ministers stressed the importance of coordinating with member states of the Islamic Group to demand an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression. Safadi also attended an event hosted by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, focused on the protection of humanitarian workers. During the session, Safadi emphasized the need to safeguard r elief organizations, particularly the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which plays an indispensable role in Gaza. A ministerial group, including Jordan, Australia, Switzerland, Indonesia, Sierra Leone, the UK, Japan, Brazil, and Colombia, was announced at the event. The group aims to bolster international humanitarian law and take action to protect aid workers in conflict zones. In a joint statement, the group stressed that humanitarian law is crucial for reducing the suffering caused by war and protecting civilians, including aid workers who provide essential services like food, water, and medical care. The group noted that 2023 has been one of the deadliest years for humanitarian workers, with 280 killed and hundreds more injured or kidnapped. Gaza remains the most perilous location for these workers, with over 300 killed since the war began. The group committed to cooperating with humanitarian organizations to protect humanitarian workers by adopting UN Securi ty Council Resolution 2730 to bolster international commitment and translate it to measures that reflect current trends. The ministers also announced plans to issue a formal declaration on the protection of aid workers, which will be developed over the coming months, inviting all nations to join the effort to ensure these protections are upheld in current and future conflicts. The declaration will be supported by the UN Secretary-General as part of broader initiatives to enhance worker safety. In a separate bilateral meeting with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, Safadi discussed strengthening relations between Jordan and Switzerland, as well as efforts to halt Israeli aggression on Gaza and Lebanon and provide sustainable humanitarian aid to Gaza. Both ministers highlighted the importance of securing international support for UNRWA to ensure it continues to serve more than 5.9 million Palestinian refugees across its five areas of operation. Safadi also took part in a tripartite meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa. The meeting, which focused on regional cooperation and the Middle East, emphasized the need to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and push for the delivery of aid. The ministers underscored preserving Palestinians' rights based on the two-state solution. The tripartite talks also addressed the Israeli assaults on Lebanon, calling for adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to prevent further escalation. The ministers underlined the necessity of continued cooperation between Jordan, Egypt, and Japan in various fields. Source: Jordan News Agency