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 notable leader was Yasser Arafat, who served as its chairman for several decades. The organization has undergone significant changes over the years, including a shift towards negotiation and diplomacy, particularly with the signing of the Oslo Accords in the 1990s. Today, the PLO continues to play a central role in Palestinian politics and efforts for statehood.