New York City, July 28, 2025 — The United Nations Headquarters is hosting (Peace Conference) one of the most closely watched diplomatic events of the year: a two-day international peace conference on the Israel-Palestine two-state solution, taking place on July 28 and 29. The summit, officially titled “Peace Through Coexistence: Implementing the Two-State Framework”, has gathered over 55 nations, global peace envoys, and civil society organizations, with the aim of breathing new life into a stalled peace process that has defined Middle East tensions for decades.
Background: A Conflict in Need of a Roadmap
The Israel–Palestine conflict, now entering its 77th year, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and uprooted generations. At the heart of the conflict lies a fundamental issue: two peoples laying claim to the same land. Multiple attempts at peace — from the Oslo Accords in the 1990s to recent ceasefire talks — have either collapsed or resulted in temporary reliefs.
The two-state solution, which envisions independent Israeli and Palestinian states existing side by side in peace and security, has long been the internationally preferred framework. However, political instability, militant violence, shifting global alliances, and mutual distrust have made this vision increasingly difficult to realize.
This week’s UN conference is seen as a rare opportunity to rekindle momentum.
Who’s Attending — and Who’s Not
Attending:
- Delegations from the European Union, France, Spain, Norway, Ireland, South Africa, and most Middle Eastern countries
- High-level representatives from the Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and African Union
- United Nations envoys and special rapporteurs for peacebuilding and human rights
- Various global NGOs and peace organizations
Not Attending:
- Israel and the United States, both of whom declined official invitations.
- Israel cited “a lack of neutrality in the framing of the summit”
- The U.S. chose not to participate, although Secretary of State issued a statement acknowledging the summit’s intent
The absence of two major stakeholders has sparked concern, but organizers insist that the event’s value lies in building consensus among the broader international community.
Agenda Overview: From Recognition to Implementation
The conference is structured around six key thematic sessions:
- Reviving the Two-State Solution: Legal and Political Dimensions
- Human Rights and the Occupation
- Status of East Jerusalem
- The Right of Return for Palestinian Refugees
- Security Frameworks for Peacekeeping
- Post-War Reconstruction and Humanitarian Infrastructure in Gaza
According to UN sources, the sessions are designed not just to debate principles but to draft a shared action plan for implementation — including milestones, accountability mechanisms, and regional support frameworks.
Opening Remarks: A Call for Moral Responsibility
In his opening address, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for “unwavering political courage” and condemned the “endless cycle of retaliation that punishes the innocent.”
“Let us be honest — the conflict has endured not because peace is impossible, but because the will to prioritize peace has been missing,” he said to a packed General Assembly Hall.
He urged all parties — including absentees — to engage in good faith, reminding the world that no military solution can bring dignity or stability to the region.
Growing Support for Palestinian State Recognition
A significant development expected during or shortly after the summit is the formal recognition of the State of Palestine by several Western and Latin American countries. Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia have already declared their intention to extend full diplomatic recognition. More may follow, depending on summit outcomes.
This wave of recognition could increase Palestine’s leverage in future negotiations and pressure Israel to reconsider its current stance, especially in international legal forums such as the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Rebuilding Gaza: A Humanitarian Imperative
Recent Israeli military operations and Hamas attacks have left Gaza in ruins. The death toll stands in the tens of thousands, and basic infrastructure — water, electricity, healthcare — is collapsing. Humanitarian agencies like UNRWA, Médecins Sans Frontières, and Red Crescent presented reports that painted a grim picture of daily life in the territory.
Conference proposals include:
- A UN-monitored ceasefire corridor
- A multi-billion dollar international reconstruction fund
- Deployment of neutral peacekeeping forces
There is also growing support for a temporary international civil administration in Gaza until elections and legitimate governance can be restored.
Challenges Ahead: Security, Legitimacy & Extremism(Peace Conference)
Despite the optimism surrounding the conference, numerous challenges threaten its success:
- Hamas’ role remains a point of contention. While it is the de facto authority in Gaza, it is considered a terrorist organization by many Western governments.
- Israeli domestic politics, led by right-wing coalitions, remain staunchly opposed to concessions on East Jerusalem or settlement withdrawal.
- The risk of spoiler attacks or sudden escalations on the ground remains ever-present.
Experts warn that without broad-based inclusion — including the voices of ordinary Palestinians and Israelis — any agreement may lack durability.
Voices from Civil Society: “We Need Peace, Not Politics”
Outside the UN building, dozens of peace advocacy groups from both Israeli and Palestinian communities held a joint vigil, lighting candles in memory of lives lost. Groups like Parents Circle–Families Forum, composed of bereaved families from both sides, made emotional appeals:
“We are tired of burying our children. We don’t need more statements — we need change,” said a speaker, herself a mother who lost her son in a border clash.
Their presence served as a powerful reminder that the cost of diplomacy’s failure is deeply human.
What’s Next? Roadmap for the Coming Months(Peace Conference)
By the end of July 29, the UN aims to produce a New York Framework for Peace, a non-binding yet influential consensus document that will:
- Reaffirm the global commitment to the two-state vision
- Recommend the immediate halt of all hostilities
- Set out phased confidence-building measures, such as prisoner exchanges, settlement freezes, and economic aid packages
- Establish a follow-up summit, tentatively scheduled for October 2025 in Geneva, for deeper negotiation
Though nonbinding, such frameworks often shape future UN resolutions, influence aid distribution, and set diplomatic expectations globally.
Why This Summit Matters: A Global Reflection Point(Peace Conference)
The geopolitical stakes of the 2025 UN Peace Conference go beyond Israel and Palestine. The outcomes here could influence:
- Arab-Israeli normalization talks (especially with Saudi Arabia)
- Iran–Israel proxy dynamics in Syria and Lebanon
- The U.S. presidential election narrative around foreign policy
- Global refugee and human rights frameworks
A successful peace framework would not only change lives in the Middle East but could serve as a global case study in conflict transformation in places like Sudan, Ukraine, or even the Indo-Pacific.
The 2025 United Nations Peace Summit on the Two-State Solution stands at a historic crossroads. While not everyone is at the table, the international community has taken a firm step toward charting a path for peace. The road ahead will be difficult — perhaps even perilous — but in a time when multilateralism often seems fragile, this summit is a bold reminder that dialogue still matters.
If the promises made over these two days are followed by real commitment, this conference could become a defining moment — not just for the people of Israel and Palestine, but for humanity’s collective conscience.
