Press Releases
Meeting between Foreign Minister IWAYA and Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
May 27, 2025
On May 27, commencing at 5:10 p.m. (Japan time), for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Foreign Minister Iwaya expressed his respect for UNRWA staff who are devotedly engaged in humanitarian assistance under challenging circumstances and extended his condolences for those who have lost their lives.
- Minister Iwaya went on to state that UNRWA plays an indispensable role in supporting Palestine refugees in the Middle East and that Japan will persistently continue its diplomatic efforts, including our call for Israeli government, to help sustainably ensure an enabling environment in which humanitarian activities, including those of UNRWA, can be carried out. He also emphasized that neutrality is essential for UNRWA, which operates in a difficult environment, and stated that Japan will continue supporting the Agency’s efforts to improve its governance.
- In response, Commissioner-General Lazzarini expressed his appreciation for Japan’s support to date and provided an update on the current humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the circumstances surrounding UNRWA, and the Agency’s efforts to improve its governance, including measures to uphold the neutrality of its educational activities and staff.
- Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continuing joint efforts to promote international cooperation in support of Palestine refugees.