The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is an umbrella organization founded in 1964 to represent the Palestinian people and their national interests. It was established to unify various Palestinian groups and advocate for the rights of Palestinians, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The PLO is recognized as the representative of the Palestinian people by the United Nations and many countries worldwide. The PLO's most prominent leader was Yasser Arafat, who served as its chairman for several decades. The organization has engaged in both armed struggle and diplomatic efforts to achieve its goals, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. In 1993, the PLO signed the Oslo Accords with Israel, marking a significant step towards peace and mutual recognition.