Doha: The Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a resolution on Friday, during its 221st session, in support of the educational activities carried out by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in Near East (UNRWA) in the occupied Palestinian territory. According to Qatar News Agency, the resolution reaffirmed UNESCO's commitment to supporting UNRWA and ensuring continuation of its work and mandate particularly in the field of education, which remains a core pillar of UNESCO's mission. Out of 58 member states, 51 voted in favor of the resolution, two abstained, two were absent, and three voted against it. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the decision, describing it as a significant step in affirming international support for UNRWA's mandate and strengthening the long-standing cooperation between UNESCO and UNRWA particularly the shared values that, according to the ministry, are continuously und ermined by Israeli occupation, especially in matters related to the rights of Palestinian refugees, including access to education, healthcare, social services, and humanitarian aid. In a statement, the ministry expressed deep appreciation to the countries that backed the resolution either by sponsoring it or voting in its favor and urged the states that did not support it to reconsider their stance and align with the legal and moral majority standing behind the work of both UNRWA and UNESCO, and in support of the rights of Palestinian refugees. The ministry also called on all countries and international stakeholders to raise their voices in reaffirming that there is no alternative to UNRWA, emphasizing the need to uphold and protect its mandate until Palestinian refugees' rights, including their right of return as stipulated in UN General Assembly Resolution 194, are fulfilled in accordance with international law.