EU hosts first Palestine donor conference to support governance reforms

The European Union has launched a major international initiative to support Palestinian governance reforms and recovery efforts through the first meeting of the Palestine Donor Group in Brussels. The high-level gathering brought together ministers and senior officials from approximately 60 countries and international organizations to coordinate support for strengthening Palestinian institutions and addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza and the West Bank.

Comprehensive Reform Agenda

Co-chaired by EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, the meeting focused on the Palestinian Authority's progress in implementing fiscal, economic, and governance reforms. Participants reviewed updates on education, healthcare services, and private-sector development while discussing the integration of recent UN Security Council Resolution 2803 on Gaza into the broader recovery framework. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that "reform of the Palestinian Authority is fundamental for it to govern a future Palestinian state."

Financial Commitments and Mechanisms

During the conference, the EU and several member states—including Germany, Luxembourg, Slovenia, and Spain—signed new contributions exceeding €82 million for PEGASE, the EU-administered mechanism that channels donor support to Palestinian institutions with strict financial oversight. This brings total pledges through PEGASE this year to over €88 million, building on the mechanism's track record of delivering €3.7 billion to Palestinian services since its establishment in 2008.

Strategic Vision for Palestinian Statehood

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU's commitment to "working towards a Palestinian state" and supporting regional stabilization efforts. The donor conference represents a key implementation step for the EU's €1.6 billion Multiannual Comprehensive Programme for Palestinian Recovery and Resilience adopted in April, positioning the Palestinian Authority's reform program as the central framework for stabilization, transitional governance, and reconstruction in both Gaza and the West Bank.