AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Monday joined international counterparts in launching the “Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Workers” on the sidelines of the New York-held UN General Assembly’s 80th high-level week, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

 

The initiative is co-sponsored by Jordan, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

 

Addressing the gathering, Safadi warned that last year was the deadliest ever for humanitarian workers, with 385 killed worldwide, and said there is no place more dangerous for them than Gaza. He stressed that Israel targeted at least 543 aid workers in the past two years, including 373 UN staff, the highest death toll in UN history, while continuing to block humanitarian aid and put civilians at risk in violation of international law.

 

“This cannot continue,” Safadi said, urging the international community to renew its commitment to international humanitarian law, protect civilians and aid workers, and hold violators accountable.

 

He also signed the declaration, which calls for safe, unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance and stronger protection for aid personnel.

 

Later, Safadi took part in the 20th Ministerial Meeting on the Middle East, organized by the International Peace Institute with Qatar and the EU, to discuss efforts to end the war on Gaza, open crossings for aid, and halt Israeli violations in the West Bank and the whole region.

 

ordan, Brazil, China, France, Kazakhstan, and South Africa, along with the International Committee of the Red Cross, issued a joint statement on Sunday calling on the international community to take action to stop violations of international humanitarian law.

 

In the statement, the countries expressed their concern about violations of international humanitarian law in several conflicts around the world, which have led to unacceptable human suffering.

 

The statement stressed the need for all states to adhere to international humanitarian law, including laws related to the protection of civilians, civilian property, journalists, relief and medical workers, while noting the importance of the United Nations General Assembly’s role in achieving this.

 

The statement also included the announcement of plans to jointly host a high-level conference to discuss ways to support humanitarian action in wars next year.