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LONDON: Gazan students awarded prestigious scholarships to study in the UK will begin arrive in the country this autumn, after support from the British government enabled them to leave the war-torn territory, ministers said on Monday.

They include Palestinian recipients of the Chevening scholarship, a highly competitive program for foreign students that aims to recognize potential leaders, and other gifted individuals, and provide them with fully funded places on undergraduate and master’s degree courses at leading UK universities.

Officials said the educational support for Gazan students is recognition of the roles they might play in the eventual reconstruction of the territory and building a better future for Israelis and Palestinians.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the conflict in Gaza had devastated education, and praised students for their “incredible resilience and unwavering determination” to continue their studies.

She thanked the governments international partners, including the Jordanian government and Israeli authorities, for helping the students to leave Gaza, adding: “Our support also reflects the UK’s commitment to the future of postwar Gaza, where educating the next generation will play a vital role.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said she was “relieved” the students will be able to study in safety.

“These students have lived through an appalling ordeal, with many losing loved ones and having their studies torn apart by the devastating impact of war,” she said.

“Education offers hope and opportunity and we are determined to ensure that all young people, whatever their circumstances, are able to benefit from it.”

The government said the move was part of wider UK efforts to help vulnerable groups leave Gaza amid the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave.

British authorities officially recognized a Palestinian state on Sunday, and continue to call for an immediate ceasefire agreement in the territory, the release of all hostages, unrestricted deliveries of humanitarian aid, and a pathway to long-term peace in the wider conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

ISLAMABAD: Leaders from Pakistan, Arab Gulf nations and other Muslim states met on Monday in New York to ponder a unified approach on key regional and global issues at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Pakistani foreign office said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif led the Pakistan delegation to New York as the General Assembly High-level Week 2025 kicked off on Monday, with global leaders in attendance and Tuesday, Sept. 23 set to be the first day of the high-level General Debate at the 80th session.

On Monday, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, represented Pakistan in consultations hosted by Qatari PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in New York, which also included deputy prime ministers of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and foreign ministers of ����ֱ��, Egypt, Indonesia and Turkiye.

Dar underscored that the people of Pakistan had great affinity for their Muslim brethren in the Middle East and would support all constructive endeavours aimed at fostering peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.

“The ministers exchanged views and coordinated positions for unified approach on some of the key issues at the UN General Assembly session,” the Pakistani foreign office said.

The UNGA session comes in the backdrop of Israel’s nearly two-year war on Gaza and the recent strikes against Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital of Doha, which raised fears of a wider military conflict in an already volatile region and drew condemnations from the Muslim world.

The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly is being held under the theme “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.”

From Sept. 23 till Sept. 29, the session will feature speeches from presidents, prime ministers and monarchs who will deliver national statements, set out visions for peace, development, human rights and collective action at the iconic green marble podium.

Pakistan PM Sharif as well as various world leaders will also take part in the “High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution,” which will be co-chaired by ����ֱ�� and France.

In a statement on Sunday, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said Sharif will urge the international community to resolve the crises in Palestine and disputed Kashmir territory and grant the people there the right to self-determination. The Pakistani prime minister will call for decisive action to end the suffering of the Palestinians.

“He will also highlight Pakistan’s perspective on the regional security situation as well as other issues of international concern, including climate change, terrorism, Islamophobia, and sustainable development,” the statement said.

“The prime minister will also participate in a meeting of select Islamic leaders with US President [Donald] Trump to exchange views on issues pertaining to regional and international peace and security.”

Sharif is expected to hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders and senior UN officials to discuss matters of mutual interest, according to the Pakistan foreign ministry. He will also underline Pakistan’s resolve to work with all UN member states to uphold the UN Charter, prevent conflict, foster peace and promote global prosperity in Pakistan’s current role as a member of the Security Council.