26th October 2011, New York - The Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations, Ms. Thilmeeza Hussain, delivered a statement today at the Second Committee of the UN on the issue of Palestinian Sovereignty over Natural Resources in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.The Second Committee of the UN focuses on issues of economic growth and development, financing for development, globalization and interdependence and sustainable development.
The session began by the presentation of the UN Report on the Economic and Social Repercussions of the Israeli Occupation on the Living Conditions of the Palestinian People, by the Executive Secretary of The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, Dr. Rima Kahlaf. The report addressed the plight of the Palestinian people living in the occupied territories and explained how the occupation constrains the existence and successful functioning of institutions of the Palestinian Authority and contributes to the economic and social hardship of Palestinians.It also highlighted the Israeli army's continued resort to arbitrary detention, disproportionate use of force, settlement expansion, property destruction, home demolitions and mobility restrictions.
Dr. Kahlaf added that UN organizations have been focused on this issue for over four decades and that the occupation is in contravention of international law, including Security Council resolutions.She also stated that until the illegal occupation ends, all UN agencies will continue their best efforts to alleviate the suffering of the occupied Palestinian people, but the ultimate solution lies in ending the occupation itself.
In her statement, the Deputy Permanent Representative stated that the "Maldives strongly believes that the only avenue available, for any substantial measure of economic and social development in the occupied territories, is through the formal international recognition of
the State of Palestine, living side by side and in peace with Israel. It is only through legally established statehood that social normalcy, legal equality, economic opportunity and sustainable development can be realized."
The Deputy Permanent Representative also highlighted the environmental destruction that is occurring in the occupied territories, particularly with respect to agricultural resources, water supplies and maritime resources.
Rabii Al-Hantouli, the First Secretary of the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations thanked Ms. Hussain and the Maldives for their support of Palestine.
Statements were also made by delegates from Qatar (on behalf of the Arab Group), the Sudan, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, the Syrian Arab Republic, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Indonesia and Israel.