Kuwait renews support for ILO programmes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

GENEVA. Since 2009 the Government of Kuwait has provided support to the programme of the ILO in Arab States, and particularly in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, for a total of US$ 2.5 million.

Ambassador Razzooqi expressed strong support for the work of multilateral agencies, stating that the ILO had shown that it made a real difference to the lives of people in the territories. Mr. Ryder acknowledged the strong support from Kuwait, which enables the ILO to meet the needs of Palestinian constituents, providing jobs and skills through programmes on vocational training, employment services, entrepreneurship and vocational rehabilitation.

This new Kuwaiti contribution will be allocated and implemented by the ILO’s Regional Office for Arab States to support the ILO consolidated programme framework for the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The ILO Regional Director for Arab States, Ms. Nada Al-Nashif, stated that the funds would be used to strengthen labour market governance, facilitate the development of a social security system, and promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. The ILO will also continue to support post-conflict economic recovery and livelihoods in Gaza.