Overview

• The conference is taking place at UN headquarters in New York under French and Saudi sponsorship to revive the two-state solution.
• The U.S. government branded the event an “insult” to existing peace efforts, refused to participate and reaffirmed its preference for direct negotiations.
• António Guterres said the forum must catalyze real steps to end occupation instead of serving as a symbolic exercise.
• French Foreign Minister Jean Noël Barrot and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan declared that a Palestinian state is essential for regional security.
• Discussions will focus on strengthening Palestinian Authority governance, disarming Hamas and extending Arab recognition of Israel.