I. Addressing the Role of Climate Change in Economic Development

The State of Palestine

Positions forthe Group of 77

I. Addressing the Role of Climate Change in Economic Development

While Palestine’s participation in the United Nations (UN) has been short, we have been on the frontlines when it comes to combating climate change. As a people with extremely limited access to basic resources such as arable land and water, Palestinians have been forced to mastermind solutions for environmental issues that are similar to those that climate change could one day bring about for the entire planet.As a signatory on key climate change legislation such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the recent Paris Agreement, Palestine has demonstrated its devotion to preserving Earth for future generations.[1] However, significant progress still needs to be made if humanity is going to successfully turn the tide in this global crisis.

Since the illegal occupation of Palestine began in 1967, citizens, particularly farmers, have been faced with cruel circumstances surrounding water, land, and infrastructure. Crops have to be grown with recycled water, and other sources of electricity, such as solar power, must be utilized when Israeli-run power grids are prioritized for the comfort of Israeli citizens. Yet, despite these dire conditions, Palestinians continue to survive year after year of occupation and oppression.[2] As sea levels rise and weather trends become more erratic, citizens of all Members States will be faced with issues that Palestinians have been overcoming for decades now. While Palestine encourages Member States in both the Global North and South to begin adopting conservation policies used by Palestinians, Palestine would be in a much better position to further develop these techniques and technologies, as well as assist Member States in wide-spread implementation, if Palestine were to gain full membership and voting rights within the UN. Membership would allow the State of Palestine greater ability to combat climate change and enact real change across the globe.

Addressing economic development could not come at a more critical time for Palestine. Despite recent Gross Domestic Product growth, most of the sources of that growth (construction) are unsustainable. Without improvements in trade and other sectors, Palestine will face economic degradation in coming years.[3] This prediction gains more credibility if economic and freedom-of-movement sanctions levied against the Palestinian people are not lifted. In spite of these detrimental conditions, we continue to look towards a brighter environmental future for our planet. Last year, the Palestinian Coalition for Climate Justice (PCCJ) was formed to unify the efforts of multiple environmental and scientific institutions including Union of Agricultural Work Committees, Palestinian Environmental NGOs Network, Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem, Palestinian Society for Consumer Protection, Land Research Center, Palestinian Hydrology Group, and Palestinian Farmers’ Union.[4] Multiple factors led to the PCCJ’s formation, including the lack of influence several of the members had at the Paris Climate Summit in 2015. The PCCJ is tasked with numerous duties including monitoring policies implemented by both Israeli and Palestinian governments, streamlining the policies and agendas implemented by the participating members, and working with individuals to educate them about the effects of climate change.[5]While thousands of citizens of the State of Palestine struggle to survive day-to-day, institutions such as the ones named above strive to improve the environment and the ways we interact with our land and water resources.

Laudable progress has been made towards addressing climate change, but considerable work is left to be accomplished. Palestine stands ready to aid both developed and developing Member States, but full membership in the UN would enable the State of Palestine to take more effective and far-reaching action in the battle against climate change. While membership is always an important issue for Palestine, this committee’s most pressing problem facing climate change is a lack of universal coordination. The State of Palestine would like to see an organization or committee formed, similar to the PCCJ, which would provide cooperation and organization among the thousands of climate change agencies. Policies and goals established in the Paris Agreement and UNFCCC would provide the foundation for this organization/committee, and members would work together to create a universal direction for all climate change agencies to follow. Palestine looks forwards to working with fellow developing Member States to further improve this concept and generate additional solutions that can bring about more tangible improvements.

II. Improving Access to Healthcare in Developing Member States

As stated in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, all peoples of every Member State have the right to a “standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including … medical care,”yet this vital requirement for leading a prosperous life is severely lacking in the State of Palestine.[6] Israel created a troublesome, time-consuming, and life-threating healthcare systemfor Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. While the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is responsible for our people’s healthcare system today, extreme limitations forced upon us by the illegal occupation cause detriments to our citizens including denial of life-saving treatment and a lack of communication between facilities in the different sectors of Palestine. This committee must consider Palestine a prime example of the issues that must be addressed within this topic, and the Group of 77 needs to provide solutions that can bring about positive results for all Palestinian citizens.

When the illegitimate state of Israel was created in 1948, our healthcare needs were put entirely in hands of our occupiers. NGOs had to step in to fill gaps left by the Israelis who also let the private sector develop with little to no oversight. Near the end of the 20th century, the PNA was finally given limited authority over the Palestinian territories, including providing healthcare. However, the PNA was handed a disjointed system with multiple parts including government-run facilities, services provided by NGOs, and private sector establishments.[7] Since the PNA had only limited influence and multiple facets of government to address, the aforementioned fragments have continued to develop on their own with little coordination and/or supervision. Numerous similar histories of healthcare can be found among fellow developing Member States, and should be given consideration when developing solutions in committee.

Today, Palestinians that require healthcare outside their region require an exit permit from theIsraeli government. This is an issue for residents of the West Bank and Gaza because the most advanced Palestinian treatment centers and hospitals are located in East Jerusalem. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that in 2014-2015 more than 110,000 Ministry of Health and private patients applied through Palestinian coordination offices for Israeli-issued health access permits. Approximately equal number of patient companions – first-degree relatives who accompany patients to treatment and support them on their journeys – also applied for permits.[8]These permits, in all cases, are completed with subjective delays for certain age groups, specifically people of an age that could be conducive to terrorism which is a highly subjective measure. All permit applications must be submitted over a week before the date of travel. However, patients are only given notice of approval or denial within 12 hours of the departure time. Even though most submit their application early, the waiting time can be weeks, if not months, causing patients to lose appointments and not get their necessary treatment in a timely manner.

No other Member State must work around the divided nature of Palestine, yet most members of this committee can relate to the complicated bureaucracy surrounding healthcare as well as other facets of government. During this conference, the State of Palestine will pursue solutions that 1) unify splintered healthcare systems under a single body of management, and 2) simplify in-processing procedures so that patients can receive treatment in a timely manner. While we are gracious for the historic and continued relief provided by bodies such WHO, Palestine encourages members of the body to work towards resolutions that encompass a mentality similar to the “Trade not Aid” policies that Member States on the African continent are moving towards. More pointedly, we would like to see long-term solutions that leave both Palestine and other Global South Member States with self-sufficient healthcare systems.

2017 marks the 50th year of our State being under military occupation, the longest one of its kind ever seen in history.[9] Our state is providing the best healthcare we can to our people under these circumstances, but we continue to be negatively affected by this occupation. Our goal for this conference is to bring to light the issues our State is facing and to work with other Member States to find better ways to improve not only our healthcare system, but other Member State’s systems too. The State of Palestine looks forward productive sessions.

[1] Dr. Riyad Mansour, “Palestine: A distinctive voice for climate action,” Ibidem.

[3] “Palestine’s Economic Outlook- April 2017,” Worldbank.org,

[4] Ahmad Melhem, “How this new Palestinian coalition intends to fight climate change,”

[5] Ibidem.

[6]"Universal Declaration of Human Rights," United Nations, “Health System Profile Palestine 2006,” WHO,

[8]"Right to health: Crossing barriers to access health in the occupied Palestinian territory 2014-2015," WHO, to Healthcare: Health Under Occupation, Volume 1,”