During a discussion attended by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, the EU ministers talked about the role of development assistance and humanitarian aid in global operations to promote the protection of human rights and democracy. They also addressed the implementation of the EU’s development cooperation in the context of the review of Multiannual Financial Framework 2021–2027.

The officials also debated on helping Ukraine in its recovery from damage inflicted by Russia’s aggression. They stressed the need to use EU support both to modernise Ukraine and to implement reforms vital to the country’s path to the EU. The debate was held after the recent adoption of the Ukraine Facility.

During their meeting with Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini, the development ministers talked about the dramatic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. They also took position on the recent unconfirmed allegations against UNRWA of some of its staff’s involvement in Hamas’s attacks against Israel on 7 October 2023.