The impact of the conflict in the Middle East is unimaginable. In response, Act for Peace has been standing with others to call for peace and protection as part of our commitment to advocating for peace together.
Last month, the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) was held in New York City, with world leaders gathering to debate some of the biggest global issues.
As the UNGA took place, Act for Peace stood alongside other humanitarian and civil society organisations to advocate for peace together.
UNGA statement in response to recognition of Palestine
Gaza was central to the discussions during high-level week at the UNGA, with member states under pressure to end the conflict, especially since a UN commission of inquiry found Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
The Australian government joined a growing chorus of other nations to formally recognise Palestine and affirm its commitment to a two-state solution.
Act for Peace joined 17 Australian civil society organisations responding to Australia’s recognition of Palestine.
The joint statement welcomed Australia’s recognition but urged the government and other UN states to follow with urgent action to stop the genocide and war crimes being committed by Israel against Palestinians.
“Australia’s recognition of Palestine is a landmark decision affirming the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, but it must be more than symbolic.
Recognition must be tied to urgent action to end the genocide, lift the blockade, dismantle illegal settlements, and support Palestinian sovereignty and rebuilding.”
~ Oxfam Australia Acting Chief Executive, Dr Chrisanta Muli
The full statement can be read here.
Joint Statement on the Australian government-initiated Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel
The Australian government also initiated a Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.
Compliance with international humanitarian law is not being met. 2024 was the deadliest year on record for aid workers, with more than 380 killed and many more wounded or kidnapped.
And reports indicate 2025 is on target to be even worse.
Act for Peace joined the Australian Council for International Development and 52 humanitarian and development agencies to welcome the declaration, reaffirming the importance of international law to protect humanitarian workers.
Read the statement here
ICVA Joint Statement in Support of the 1951 Refugee Convention
This statement was coordinated to pre-empt the Trump administration’s moves to undermine the Refugee Convention at the UNGA.
The statement focused on affirming the value of the 1951 Refugee Convention which defines a refugee and outlines the legal protection, rights, and assistance a refugee is entitled to.
As expected, on the sidelines of the UNGA, a top Trump administration official called for changes to the international asylum policies, arguing that the Refugee Convention has made “mass illegal migration legal”.
The joint statement seeks to reemphasise the importance of the Convention and gather support to oppose the Trump administration’s moves to restrict asylum rights.
These actions strengthen our ongoing commitment to stand with others, advocating for peace together.