PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday underscored the importance of the upcoming UN conference in New York on advancing a two-state solution, describing it as crucial for uniting the international community behind peace efforts.

Macron said he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ahead of the meeting, which the two leaders will co-chair on Monday.

“The adoption by 142 countries of the July New York Declaration on the two-state solution marked a turning point in charting a path toward lasting peace and security in the Middle East,” Macron wrote on the US social media platform X.

He stressed that the conference “must enable us to take a further step in mobilizing the international community.”

The French president reaffirmed his support for the principle of “two peoples, two states, peace and security for all” as the foundation of a future settlement.

The gathering will focus on advancing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

UN investigators have recently concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, where the death toll has surpassed 65,000.

Around three-quarters of UN member states already recognize Palestine, with Ireland, Spain, and Norway formalizing recognition in 2024. — Agencies