Tuesday 25 / November / 2025
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman reaffirmed its full support for the statement delivered by the delegation of the State of Palestine on behalf of the Arab Group before the Trade and Development Board of UNCTAD. Oman praised the latest report issued by the UNCTAD Secretariat, which comprehensively documents the devastating economic and humanitarian impacts in the Palestinian territories since October 2023.
In its address to the Board, delivered by H.E. Ambassador Idris bin Abdulrahman Al-Khanjari, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations and international organizations, Oman expressed appreciation for UNCTAD’s efforts in preparing what it described as a “valuable” report. The statement emphasized that the Palestinian territories are experiencing an “unprecedented, profound, and comprehensive” crisis that has led to the collapse of decades of development within a matter of months.
Ambassador Al-Khanjari noted that entire productive sectors have been destroyed, essential services have ceased, public revenues have sharply declined, financial gaps have widened, and household purchasing power has dropped significantly. The banking sector is under severe pressure due to liquidity shortages and rising debt, compounded by increasing restrictions on movement and mobility, which have deepened the economic deterioration.
He stressed that the situation in Gaza is “extremely tragic,” with widespread destruction affecting infrastructure, factories, healthcare and educational facilities, as well as transportation and energy networks resulting in the loss of basic economic foundations. He pointed out that reconstruction will require many years, substantial investments, and clear international political will.
In this context, Oman highlighted UNCTAD’s pivotal role in supporting Palestinian institutions through advanced economic analysis, capacity building, development of financial and trade planning tools, and coordination of international efforts. Oman expressed its gratitude to UNCTAD for its continued support through the Assistance to the Palestinian People Unit.
The Sultanate called on the international community, particularly the Trade and Development Board, to significantly increase political, financial, and technical support to help Palestinians confront the crisis, stressing that current support falls short of the scale of the challenges.
Ambassador Al-Khanjari outlined three key priorities for addressing the current situation:
1. Linking urgent humanitarian aid to sustainable economic measures, including facilitating the entry of essential goods, easing mobility restrictions, and ensuring the flow of due revenues.
2. Launching a comprehensive reconstruction project for Gaza that rebuilds infrastructure, human capital, and all productive sectors.
3. Strengthening Palestinian institutions as a fundamental prerequisite for any developmental path, while emphasizing the importance of continuing and expanding UNCTAD’s programs.
He concluded by affirming that the crisis in the Palestinian territories is “a direct result of the occupation and its accumulated consequences,” stressing that the responsibility toward the Palestinian people is not merely technical or financial, but “moral, humanitarian, and developmental.”
Oman called for strengthening UNCTAD’s mandate and supporting its programs in the occupied Palestinian territories, urging collective action to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and build a resilient economy that safeguards their dignity and future.
