file Photo: Then-US vice president Joseph Biden, left, walks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, ahead of their meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah. AP
This the first time the USPED has convened in over five years after the Palestinian Authority cut ties with the US — excluding intelligence coordination — following Trump's relocation of the US embassy to Jerusalem.
During the opening remarks, US Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Yael Lempert underscored the belief that the Palestinian people deserve to live in freedom, security, and prosperity.
She noted that “growing the Palestinian economy will also play a critical role in advancing our overarching political goal: a negotiated two-state solution, with a viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel.”
The senior-level dialogue brought together a wide range of agencies and ministries from the US government and the Palestinian Authority to discuss current and future areas of economic cooperation.
The participants recognised the importance of restoring political and economic relations between the US government and the Palestinian Authority and pledged to expand and deepen cooperation and coordination across a range of sectors.
During the meeting, senior US and Palestinian officials discussed key topics, including infrastructure development, access to US markets, US regulations, free trade, financial issues, renewable energy and environmental initiatives, connecting Palestinian and American businesses, and addressing obstacles to Palestinian economic development.
The dialogue also included a discussion on international trade relations.
The two sides agreed to work on several crucial issues to advance the economic prosperity of the Palestinian people.
Furthermore, the US government outlined programmes that could support the Palestinian Authority’s efforts towards financial issues, trade, and promoting foreign direct investment.
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