Full remarks from Minister for the Middle East, , to open the Wilton Park
conference on Gaza's economic recovery and reconstruction
co-hosted with Egypt and the Palestinian Authority.
Excellencies, colleagues, friends,
Welcome to Wilton Park, and thanks to those who've travelled so
far to be here.
It's a privilege for the UK to host this gathering - at such a
pivotal moment - alongside our friends from the Palestinian
Authority and Egypt.
This peace deal brings hope to the world, after two years of
conflict and suffering.
I want to pay my respects to every innocent person who has faced
fear, hardship and loss.
Now, finally, we can begin to look forward to a brighter future -
for Palestinians, for Israelis, for the Palestinian State and for
the Two-State Solution.
We commend the key negotiators from the United States, Qatar,
Egypt and Türkiye for finding a way through and for starting to
build the foundations of peace.
The UK is committed to playing a leading role in accelerating
Gaza's reconstruction, working with you, our international
partners.
Together, we are backing a Palestinian-led recovery and
reconstruction.
We know the scale of the task. We know how urgent it is, and how
complex it will be. The government has said it will take years
and cost billions.
We must be ready to act – to clear rubble, rebuild homes and set
up infrastructure, restoring access to education and healthcare.
And we must also lay the groundwork for long-term economic
development.
Gaza, and Palestine more broadly, has real economic potential.
Human capital, resilience, a critical location and a global
diaspora, including here in the UK. That potential must be
unlocked.
This conference is about how we do that, together. How we support
the Arab Reconstruction Plan. And how we unlock the vast
resources needed, not just through traditional donor finance, but
by thinking creatively to bring in private capital.
The UK is well placed to help. We bring deep expertise in private
investment and strong links to the City of London. But this is a
shared effort. You bring the technical expertise, the regional
insight and the relationships that will make this happen.
This is ultimately about meeting the needs and ambitions of
Gazans.
It's also about reconnecting Gaza and the West Bank,
economically, politically, socially. And supporting the viability
of a Palestinian state as part of a Two-State Solution.
I want to thank all our Palestinian participants for joining us.
We know what you and your communities have endured. I know the
experience and insight you bring will play a crucial role in
achieving our goals.
I also want to thank our partners from Europe, the Arab region,
investment funds and development institutions. Your engagement
will shape what's possible.
I very much look forward to our discussions today and the
outcomes of this conference.
Together, let's seize the opportunity to turn this moment of hope
into lasting peace and progress.
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