UNITED NATIONS, July 28 (Xinhua) -- A high-level international conference for the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, opened at the UN headquarters on Monday.

In remarks at the conference, mandated by the UN General Assembly in December 2024, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that "we are at a breaking point" and that the two-state solution is "farther than ever before."

However, the conflict between Israel and Palestine "can be resolved," said the UN chief, adding that it "demands political will and courageous leadership."

Considering the grim realities, "we must do even more to realize the two-state solution," he said, noting that the conference "is a rare and indispensable opportunity."

The conference "can and must serve as a decisive turning point -- one that catalyzes irreversible progress towards ending the occupation, and realizing our shared aspiration for a viable two-state solution," he said.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said the conference is a message to the Palestinian people that "the world supports us in the realization of our rise to life, liberty, dignity in our land, and of our right to our sovereign state."

He said the meeting also delivers a message to the Israeli people -- "there is a path to peace and regional integration."

In his speech, Mustafa said Hamas must end its rule in the Gaza Strip and hand over its weapons to Palestinian authorities. He added that Palestine stands ready to invite regional and international forces to be deployed as part of a stabilization and protection mission.

At a news briefing at the UN headquarters, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot said the main goal of the conference is to deliver a clear message: "Peace is possible."

An alternative to the war in the region is the two-state solution with Israel and Palestine living at peace and security, he said.

According to Barrot, representatives of over 120 countries attended the conference, and a common vision for Gaza after the war will be adopted.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said at the news briefing that the resumption of the conference reflects a wide international consensus that the way to end the violence and suffering in the region is the actual implementation of the two-state solution based on relevant UN resolutions and the principle of "land for peace."

"It is time to end this conflict and to establish the Palestine state and to achieve lasting and comprehensive peace that preserves security and sovereignty for all peoples of the region," he said. ■