The UNDPR, originally named Special Unit on Palestinian Rights in the United Nations Secretariat, was created by the
Resolution 32/40(B) of December 2, 1977:
"Following the affirmation of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment in 1975 of the
Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, the General Assembly recognized the need for creating an informed public opinion around the world in support of the achievement of those rights" in order "... to assist the Committee in its work and to prepare studies and publications on the issue and to promote maximum publicity for them."[1]
The Division's mandate has been renewed annually and has been expanded several times over the years, in particular to include the organization of international meetings, the establishment of a computer-based information system called the
United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine (UNISPAL) [2] and the holding of an annual training program for staff of the
Palestinian Authority.
Activities
The core functions of the Division include:
Providing support and services for the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People
Assisting the Committee in the exercise of its mandate and the promotion and implementation of its recommendations
Planning, organizing and servicing the Committee's program of international meetings
Preparing studies and publications "relating to the question of Palestine and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and promoting their widest possible dissemination, including in cooperation with the Department of Public Information"
Maintaining and developing the Web-based United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine (UNISPAL).
Publications
The Division prepares the following publications on a regular basis:
A monthly bulletin on international action on the question of Palestine, containing resolutions, decisions and communiqués of the relevant United Nations and other intergovernmental bodies and agencies
A periodic bulletin entitled Developments related to the Middle East Peace Process
A monthly chronological summary of events based on press reports and other publicly available sources
A special bulletin on the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
An annual compilation of resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly and the Security Council relating to the question of Palestine
Training programs
The Division has conducted an annual training program for staff of the Palestinian Authority since 1996. The program is carried out at United Nations Headquarters in New York in cooperation with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations in conjunction with the convening of the General Assembly.
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People