Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamikawa met with UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) Executive Director Lazzarini, and received an explanation of efforts to reform the organization regarding allegations that some of its staff were involved in attacks on Israel. Minister Kamikawa plans to evaluate the content and make final adjustments toward resuming the suspended funding.
Regarding UNRWA, in response to suspicions that some of its staff were involved in the attack on Israel by the Islamic organization Hamas in October last year, the Japanese government, in line with Europe and the United States, started funding from January this year. is being stopped.
Under these circumstances, Foreign Minister Kamikawa met with Secretary-General Lazzarini, who is visiting Japan, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the evening of the 28th.
Minister Kamikawa stated, ``The contributions are funded by Japanese people's taxes. It is important to proceed with efforts to regain trust,'' and called for effective organizational reforms such as ensuring the neutrality of staff.
In response, Mr. Lazzarini explained measures to strengthen governance to prevent recurrence, and announced that a new framework would be established to ensure the transparency of activities by involving Japanese staff in monitoring. I did.
Minister Kamikawa will convey his thoughts on evaluating these contents and will make final adjustments toward resuming funding.
After the meeting, Lazzarini told reporters, ``It was a very constructive meeting. We will strengthen the organization's risk management.''