Report on the UN Ministerial Conference on Palestine and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

A high-level ministerial conference, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia on July 28-29, 2025, is set to address the two-state solution and peace in the Middle East. This report analyzes the conference’s context, objectives, and its critical relationship with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on the need for concrete international action to address violations of international law.

Conference Mandate and International Legal Context

The conference is a direct response to the July 2024 International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion, which declared Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian Territory unlawful and a breach of the right to self-determination. The ICJ ruling identified the crime of apartheid and mandated the dismantling of illegal settlements. This was endorsed by a September 2024 UN General Assembly resolution, which set a one-year deadline for Israel to end its unlawful presence.

The conference occurs amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza, which have been characterized by alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide, in contravention of binding ICJ rulings. Furthermore, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials. This legal framework underscores the international community’s obligation, particularly under the Genocide Convention, to take preventative action.

Violations and their Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

The ongoing conflict and occupation have systematically undermined progress toward numerous SDGs in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The failure to uphold international law directly impedes sustainable development.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The core of the crisis relates to the erosion of SDG 16. The lack of accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law obstructs the path to peace and justice. The conference is being urged to move beyond rhetoric and establish strong, accountable mechanisms to enforce international law, including supporting the mandates of the ICJ and ICC.

Impact on Social and Economic SDGs

The destruction of essential infrastructure has had a devastating impact on a wide range of SDGs:

• SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): The destruction of homes, orchards, and fields, combined with the use of starvation as a weapon of war, has created extreme poverty and food insecurity.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Attacks on hospitals and healthcare facilities have crippled the health system, denying the population access to essential medical care.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): The destruction of schools has denied an entire generation access to education, jeopardizing their future and long-term societal development.
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The targeting of water and sanitation facilities has led to a public health crisis, depriving communities of the most basic services for survival.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The widespread demolition of homes and apartment buildings makes the goal of safe, resilient, and sustainable communities unattainable.

Recommendations for Action Aligned with the SDGs

To align with the principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and uphold international law, UN member states are called upon to commit to concrete, time-bound measures. These actions are essential for creating the conditions necessary for peace, justice, and sustainable development.

1. Promote Peaceful and Inclusive Societies (SDG 16):
   • Suspend all military assistance and arms sales to Israel to prevent further conflict and loss of life.
   • Impose targeted sanctions (travel bans, asset freezes) on officials implicated in serious violations to ensure accountability.
   • Publicly support the ICC and commit to executing all arrest warrants, reinforcing international justice institutions.
2. Foster Sustainable Economic and Institutional Frameworks (SDG 8, 10, 17):
   • Suspend preferential trade agreements with Israel and ban all trade and business activities with illegal settlements.
   • Fully fund the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to ensure the delivery of essential services and support human development.
   • Address root causes by formally recognizing the crimes of apartheid and persecution, in line with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
3. Establish Mechanisms for Justice and Reparations (SDG 16):
   • Support the creation of an international register to document damages caused by unlawful actions, forming the basis for future reparations.
   • Press for the recognition of the right of Palestinian refugees to return, a key component of a just and sustainable peace.
   • Reconstitute the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid or a similar body to monitor and report on the situation.

The UN General Assembly should adopt a resolution formalizing these commitments with a clear implementation timetable. The paralysis of the UN Security Council, largely due to the United States’ veto power and complicity, elevates the responsibility of the General Assembly to take decisive action. Failure to act will ensure the continued violation of human rights and the further erosion of the Sustainable Development Goals for the Palestinian people.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article’s central theme is the call for an end to impunity for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. It focuses on promoting the rule of law through international bodies like the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC). The text explicitly mentions “war crimes,” “crimes against humanity,” “apartheid,” and “genocide,” and calls for accountability through “targeted sanctions, arms embargoes,” and the enforcement of “ICC arrest warrants.” This directly aligns with the goal of fostering peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The article directly connects to this goal by stating that Israel is using “starvation as a weapon of war” and is involved in the “deliberate depriving of Palestinians in Gaza.” This highlights a critical issue of food insecurity and hunger being used as a tactic in conflict, which is a severe violation of the principles of SDG 2.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The text mentions the “systematic destruction of… hospitals.” The targeting of healthcare facilities severely undermines the capacity to provide medical care, ensure well-being, and manage health crises, which is a core component of SDG 3.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The article notes the destruction of “schools” in Gaza. This action directly impedes access to education and destroys the infrastructure necessary for learning, which is contrary to the aim of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• The destruction of “water and sanitation facilities” is explicitly mentioned. This directly impacts the availability of clean water and sanitation, which are fundamental to human health and dignity and are the focus of SDG 6.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article describes the “systematic destruction of homes, apartment buildings” and the “forced displacement” of Palestinians. These actions are the antithesis of creating safe, resilient, and sustainable human settlements as envisioned by SDG 11.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article is framed around a “High-Level Conference on the Two-State Solution and Peace in the Middle East,” co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. It calls for coordinated action from UN member countries, the EU, and other nations, including “suspending military assistance,” imposing “targeted sanctions,” and suspending “trade deals.” This emphasis on international cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships to address a global challenge is the essence of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The article’s call to halt the “extermination of Palestinians in Gaza,” end “ongoing hostilities,” and stop “war crimes” directly addresses this target.
• Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The entire article is an appeal to uphold this target by enforcing the ICJ’s advisory opinion, executing ICC arrest warrants, and ending “decades of impunity for Israeli authorities’ violations.”
• Target 16.a: “Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels… to prevent violence and combat… crime.” The call for international actions like arms embargoes, sanctions, and support for the ICC represents international cooperation aimed at preventing violence and crimes against humanity.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.1: “By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.” The article highlights the severe violation of this target by mentioning the use of “starvation as a weapon of war” and the deliberate deprivation of food.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.d: “Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.” The destruction of “hospitals” as mentioned in the article directly degrades the capacity to manage health risks.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.a: “Build and upgrade education facilities that are… safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.” The destruction of “schools” is a direct contravention of this target.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• Target 6.1: “By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.” The destruction of “water and sanitation facilities” makes achieving this target impossible for the affected population.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.1: “By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.” The “systematic destruction of homes, apartment buildings” and “forced displacement” detailed in the article are direct attacks on this target.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.16: “Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.” The conference itself, and the calls for coordinated international sanctions, trade suspensions, and arms embargoes, are examples of the multi-stakeholder partnerships needed to achieve goals related to peace and justice.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 16

• For Target 16.1: The article implies the need to track conflict-related deaths and violence through its references to “extermination,” “acts of genocide,” and “war crimes.” A reduction in these acts would be a key indicator.
• For Target 16.3: Progress can be measured by tracking the implementation of the specific actions called for in the article. These serve as process indicators:
  • Number of ICC arrest warrants executed.
  • Number of countries imposing arms embargoes or suspending military assistance.
  • Number of officials placed under targeted sanctions (travel bans, asset freezes).
  • Suspension of bilateral agreements like the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
  • Implementation of a ban on trade with illegal settlements.

Indicators for SDGs 2, 3, 4, 6, 11

• The article implies the need for indicators that measure the extent of destruction and the impact on the population. Progress would be measured by halting and reversing these trends.
  • Number of people facing starvation or food deprivation (related to SDG 2).
  • Number of functional hospitals and access to healthcare services (related to SDG 3).
  • Number of schools destroyed versus rebuilt and the number of children able to attend school (related to SDG 4).
  • Percentage of the population with access to functioning water and sanitation facilities (related to SDG 6).
  • Number of homes and apartment buildings destroyed, and the number of internally displaced persons (related to SDG 11).

Indicators for SDG 17

• Progress can be measured by the number of countries participating in the conference and committing to the proposed concrete actions. The article suggests the UN General Assembly should “periodically report on compliance with its commitments,” creating a formal monitoring mechanism.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hrw.org