Minister Anand meets with Commissioner-General of UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in Near East

September 25, 2025 – New York City, New York – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees within the Near East (UNRWA), on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York City, New York.

Minister Anand emphasised UNRWA’s important function in offering life-saving humanitarian help and important providers to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and all through the area, together with Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.

The Minister and Commissioner-General Lazzarini mentioned the worsening situations in Gaza, emphasizing the catastrophic humanitarian toll and the demise of 370 UNRWA workers. Minister Anand expressed her deep appreciation to those that proceed to supply providers to Palestinians. Canada welcomes the progress UNRWA is making on its reforms, by way of implementation of the Colonna suggestions. Canada expects UNRWA to satisfy its obligations and uphold the UN’s worth of neutrality; that is an integral part of UNRWA’s mandate.

Minister Anand reiterated that Canada continues to induce for a direct and everlasting ceasefire in Gaza, the discharge of Israeli hostages, the safety of civilians and scaled-up flows of life-saving help for Palestinians. The Commissioner-General and the Minister agreed on the pressing want for the worldwide neighborhood to accentuate efforts to attain sustainable peace and safety within the area.