UNCTAD - EU statement - Briefing on Palestine

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Briefing on Palestine

(27 February 2026)

EU statement (check against delivery)

Secretary General, Excellencies, distinguished Delegates,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

We would like to thank the Secretariat for the report and the presentation on “Assessing the Economic Damage in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) and the Long Road to Recovery”, which outlines the economic implications in the oPt of the escalation from October 2023, the cumulative economic cost of the occupation from 2000 and the prospects and needs for economic recovery.

We welcome UNCTAD’s continued support to oPt despite the very difficult field conditions. UNCTAD’s research, policy analysis and recommendations, as well as the implementation of capacity-building and technical cooperation projects with a view to helping alleviate the adverse economic and social conditions and pursue the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, is instrumental to the Palestinian people and their economy. 

The European Union will engage with all partners to contribute to immediate relief, as well as longer-term recovery and reconstruction efforts and continue to support the Palestinian Authority, including in its ongoing reform. The EU and its Member States remain the largest provider of humanitarian aid for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, having mobilized €1.7 billion since 2023. The European Union has recently released an additional €50 million in humanitarian assistance to respond to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and to address the rising humanitarian needs in the West Bank. 

The European Union underlines the need for international and regional stakeholders to provide support for the reconstruction and development of Gaza, in line with international law. We stress the need for the rapid, safe and unimpeded delivery and sustained distribution of humanitarian aid at scale into and throughout Gaza, in accordance with international humanitarian law, and also stress the need for the UN and its agencies, and humanitarian organisations, to be able to work independently and impartially. 

The European Union stands ready to continue to support peace in Gaza, through its humanitarian, security, diplomatic and cooperations tools, and to work together with partners on the implementation of the comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2803.

Thank you.