Cairo: The United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, convened the annual International Conference on Jerusalem on Saturday in Cairo. The event saw extensive participation from country representatives, diplomats, parliamentarians, and media professionals. According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the conference comprised four main sessions, culminating in a press conference attended by the committee's chairman, Ambassador Coly Seck, Egypt's foreign minister, and Palestine's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Riyad Mansour. The opening session included remarks from several key figures, including Seck, Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for Palestinian Affairs Ambassador Mahmoud Omar, Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Ashraf Al-Awar, the UN secretary-general's representative, ESCWA Executive Secretary Ro la Dashti, OIC Assistant Secretary-General Ambassador Dawwas Dawwas, and Arab League Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine Ambassador Faed Mustafa. The first session explored the religious and spiritual dimensions of Jerusalem, featuring contributions from Sheikh Atallah Nasser, Bishop William Shomali, Deputy Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ayman Abdel Ghani, Coptic Pope Tawadros II's representative Makary Tadros, and the Jordanian Royal Court Minister Wasfi Al-Kilani. The second session focused on the current situation in Jerusalem and the challenges its residents face. At the conference's conclusion, Seck and Mansour emphasized the significance of holding the event at this time and expressed gratitude for Egypt's role in hosting the international conference on Jerusalem amidst ongoing challenges. Mansour conveyed Palestine's appreciation, including that of President Mahmoud Abbas, to the committee, the OIC, Egypt's leadership, government, and people, as well as President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for hosting the confer ence. He reiterated that Jerusalem remains central to the Palestinian cause. Mansour also acknowledged the support of the UN secretary-general and all participants and speakers for their backing of Jerusalem and the Palestinian people. The committee's delegation, comprising ambassadors from Senegal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Namibia, and Palestine, along with four UN Secretariat officials from the Division for Palestinian Rights, is scheduled to continue its meetings in Cairo. These include discussions with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, a meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and participation in an interactive seminar at the Egyptian Diplomatic Club.
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