UN conference urges immediate ceasefire, pushes two-state solution; France pledges recognition of Palestine in September

At a United Nations‑hosted international conference convened by France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly, heads of state, prime ministers and foreign ministers urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, unfettered humanitarian access, accountability for alleged violations of international law and renewed, concrete action toward a two‑state solution. France’s minister for Europe and foreign affairs, Jean Noel Baro, said “France is ready to fully recognize the state of Palestine and will do so in the month of September.”

The conference, described by multiple speakers as a turning point, focused on immediate humanitarian needs in Gaza and on political measures to revive the two‑state framework. António Guterres, secretary‑general of the United Nations, said, “Statehood for the Palestinians is a right, not a reward,” and urged the international community to take “urgent, concrete, irreversible steps” toward two states based on the pre‑1967 lines and international law.

Delegations repeatedly called for a permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages and full humanitarian access. Guterres called for an end to annexation and settlement activity and referenced the International Court of Justice’s July 2024 advisory opinion as a legal touchstone. Multiple speakers — including the prime minister of the State of Palestine, Mohammed Mustafa, and the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt — described catastrophic civilian suffering in Gaza and urged immediate relief and reconstruction planning.

Several delegations announced or reaffirmed financial and practical support for Palestinian institutions and relief operations. The European Commission representative said the European Union will support the Palestinian Authority with €1,600,000,000 over three years, noted an earlier June disbursement of €202,000,000 and cited a €400,000,000 European Investment Bank loan approved to support Palestinian private sector liquidity. Canada pledged an additional C$10,000,000 for reform and capacity building, and announced a separate new C$30,000,000 contribution this year for prepositioning humanitarian assistance in the region; Norway announced an additional $20,000,000 in budget support. Speakers from multiple countries said a donor conference for Gaza reconstruction should convene as soon as a ceasefire is secured.

Delegations stressed that any durable settlement must include Palestinian institutional capacity, credible governance and credible security arrangements. Several speakers welcomed announcements from Palestinian leadership about planned presidential and legislative elections and reforms and called on the international community to support those steps with technical and financial assistance.

On the question of formal recognition, several speakers pointed to a growing diplomatic trend: more than 140 states were reported in the debate to have recognized Palestine, and multiple delegations urged other states to follow. Jean Noel Baro framed France’s planned recognition as intended to bolster Palestinian leaders who choose nonviolent statebuilding and to strengthen the political horizon for peace.

Speakers also pressed for accountability mechanisms. Several delegations referenced the International Criminal Court and other international legal avenues; Pakistan and others urged enforceable international action. Many warned that continuing settlement expansion, settler violence and unilateral annexation steps in the West Bank threaten the viability of the two‑state outcome.

Conference co‑chairs said a follow‑up mechanism and time‑bound implementation steps should be established. Delegations across regions asked for a clear road map, monitoring and coordination through the coalition backing the conference, and immediate measures to restore funds and revenue flows to the Palestinian Authority so it can deliver public services.

The meeting adjourned with organizers scheduling continued general debate the following morning and with a request that full statements be submitted to the U.N. e‑statements system for the record.