Sawasya III JP Steering Committee Meeting Endorses 2026 AWP

The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Officer-in Charge for the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO), and H.E. Judge Mohammed Abdel Ghani Awiwi, Chief Justice and Head of the High Judicial Council, and attended by senior Palestinian officials, development partners, and United Nations representatives.

Distinguished participants included H.E. Counselor Sharhabil Al-Zaeem, Minister of Justice, H.E. Mr. Akram Al-Khatib, Attorney General; and H.E. Ms. Samah Abu Own Hamad, Minister of Social Development, and on behalf of H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Al-Habbash, Supreme Judge, , Dr. Maher Khdeir, Chief Justice of the Supreme Sharia Court.

The Steering Committee reviewed progress across the justice sector and discussed priorities for 2026 against a backdrop of prolonged crisis, institutional pressure, and significant access constraints—particularly in Gaza and vulnerable areas of the West Bank. Members reaffirmed the critical role of Sawasya III in sustaining justice services, strengthening institutional resilience, and advancing equal access to justice, human rights, and gender equality.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov highlighted the growing strain on the rule of law in Palestine, noting that access to justice is more essential than ever, especially for women and children. He underscored the importance of maintaining functioning justice institutions and essential services, including courts, legal aid, and protection mechanisms, even under extreme conditions.

H.E. Judge Mohammed Abdel Ghani Oweiwi reaffirmed the High Judicial Council’s commitment to ensuring justice remains accessible and responsive, emphasizing continued efforts to strengthen people-centred judicial services and expand innovative digital solutions, particularly to support women and children and to prepare for recovery in Gaza “ The 2026 Annual Plan translates our strategic vision into action by strengthening the justice system in line with international human rights standards, advancing institutional and professional judicial development, expanding alternative dispute resolution, and supporting digital transformation to improve efficiency and access to justice, while safeguarding fair trial guarantees. Gaza remains a priority, as the unity of the Palestinian judicial system depends on the continuity and effective functioning of justice institutions there.”

The Steering Committee was briefed on key programme updates, including the official closure of Sawasya II, the approval of its final reports, and the strengthening of Sawasya III’s funding base with continued support from the Government of Canada, the European Union, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Spain underpinning the programme’s impact.

Representing key donors, AECID Head of Cooperation Mr. Ventura Rodriguez underscored the importance of strengthening legal aid systems and ensuring equal access to justice for all Palestinians, highlighting the programme’s strong partnerships with civil society and national institutions. He reaffirmed partners’ commitment to building institutional resilience, easing pressure on frontline justice actors, and ensuring recovery efforts deliver lasting impact. Looking ahead to 2026, partners remain committed to protecting women, advancing child-sensitive justice approaches, and promoting inclusive, accountable, and sustainable access to justice for all.

The endorsed 2026 Annual Work Plan builds on Sawasya’s adaptive engagement across four strategic outcomes, including improving access to integrated legal, psychosocial, protection, and e-justice services, particularly for women, children, and other at-risk groups; Strengthening justice institutions through legal and policy reform, professionalisation, digitisation, and people-centred judicial systems; Shifting societal and institutional behaviours to promote human rights, gender equality, and child-sensitive justice; Advancing women’s access to gender-responsive and inclusive justice, including through One Stop Centres, family prosecution, and strengthened referral systems.

Looking ahead, Sawasya III will intensify its focus on Gaza recovery priorities, including law and policy development, alternative dispute resolution, transitional justice, and institutional capacity assessments, while continuing to support justice sector reform, digital transformation, and service delivery across the West Bank.

By endorsing the 2026 Annual Work Plan, the Steering Committee reaffirmed its collective commitment to a justice system that protects rights, restores trust, and ensures that justice is accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all Palestinians.