UN preparatory meeting outlines working-group road map ahead of June conference on two-state solution

The United Nations convened a preparatory meeting in New York to finalize the process and timelines for an upcoming high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of a two-state solution, to be held June 17–20 in New York.

France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, serving as co-chairs of the conference, opened the session and invited member states, observers and UN entities to feed written inputs to eight thematic working groups. "This preparatory meeting is taking place in the run up to the high level international conference for the settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution," a representative of France said, urging operational, time-bound contributions.

The President of the General Assembly said the conference must "translate commitment into action," adding: "This conflict cannot be resolved through permanent war nor through endless occupation or annexation." The president called for an outcome that is "concrete and action oriented, identifying steps needed to realize the two-state solution."

Why it matters: delegations framed the June meeting as a chance to move from statements to deliverables. Co-chairs and working-group leaders repeatedly…