Brussels: The second meeting of the Palestine Donor Group (PDG) commenced on Monday in Brussels, featuring the participation of key figures such as Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka ‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦ uica, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, and representatives from donor countries and international partners. The primary focus of this meeting is to discuss support for the Palestinian government and to address the early recovery and reconstruction needs in the Gaza Strip.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, around 65 international and regional partners gathered at the European Commission headquarters, the Berlaymont building, for the meeting, which began at 9:00 a.m. Brussels time. This assembly brought together officials from the Palestinian government, the European Union, and representatives of donor countries ahead of the ministerial session scheduled for the afternoon.
The meeting's agenda, which extends until 7:00 p.m., is divided into two main tracks. The morning session, co-chaired by officials from the European Commission's Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf and Palestinian Minister of Finance and Planning Stephane Salameh, focuses on the financial and economic situation of the Palestinian Authority and the progress made in the government's reform program.
Additionally, the agenda includes a session on Gaza's early recovery needs and mechanisms for coordinating international support in the forthcoming period, aligning with the Gaza Peace Plan and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803.
The afternoon segment will feature a ministerial meeting co-chaired by EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean and Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa. This session aims to explore ways to strengthen partnerships with the international community, mobilize political and financial support for the Palestinian government, and coordinate international efforts for recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.
The meeting will also facilitate the signing of new contribution agreements under the European PEGASE mechanism, the European Union's primary tool for supporting the Palestinian Authority and financing essential expenditures. Furthermore, it will launch the 'Team Gaza Initiative' to coordinate and leverage ongoing and planned early recovery funding from participating donors, while assessing the economic situation of the Palestinian Authority and the international financial support provided through the PEGASE mechanism.