Tag Archives: World Humanitarian Summit

Humanitarian summit has ‘set new course,’ says Ban, calling for action on commitments

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24 May 2016 – Hailing the global community’s achievements at the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for commitments made to be taken forward for transformative change from the top down and from the ground up.

“The World Humanitarian Summit has been a unique event, in form as well as substance,” Mr. Ban said in Istanbul, Turkey, speaking to reporters on the second and last day of the Summit, dedicated to improving the humanitarian system and alleviating the suffering of millions.

“We have the wealth, knowledge and awareness to take better care of one another. But we need action, based on the five core responsibilities of the Agenda for Humanity,” he stressed, referring to the principles that guided the hundreds of events organized at the two-day conference. Continue reading →

As World Humanitarian Summit Concludes, Leaders Pledge to Improve Aid Delivery, Move Forward with Agenda for Humanity

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Participants Stress Collective Moral Obligation to End Suffering

ISTANBUL, 24 May — With record numbers of people requiring life-saving assistance and funding drastically short of meeting those needs, leaders today concluded the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul endorsing five responsibilities to improve aid delivery, support refugees, uphold international law, increase financing and prevent the crises generating the largest migration flows in 70 years.

“This unique Summit has set us on a new course,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in closing remarks.  “It is not an end point, but a turning point”.

Governments, people affected by crisis, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and the United Nations had come together to support the Agenda for Humanity and its five core responsibilities.  “Implementing this Agenda is a necessity if we are to enable people to live in dignity and prosperity,” he declared. Continue reading →

World Humanitarian Summit – an agenda for shared humanity: Op-ed by Robert D. Watkins, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh

WHSUNRC Photo.small sizeDhaka, Saturday, 21 May 2016: With the advent of the Syrian civil war and the unfolding migrants tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea basin, the world is witnessing a significant rise in the number of humanitarian crises. At least 125 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance; 60 million of these people were forced to leave their homes, representing the largest number of displaced people since World War II. This growing crisis spans across many parts of the world, but is particularly acute in 37 countries.

Humanitarian operations have also become increasingly complex and diverse in nature. At the same time, resources are becoming more and more scarce as donor countries dip ever deeper into their national humanitarian and development budgets to address the crises. Last year, the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, called for worldwide coordinated action to provide effective and efficient humanitarian support to millions of people affected by conflicts and disasters. In response to his appeal, global leaders will gather in Istanbul on 23rd and 24th May for the first ever World Humanitarian Summit to renew joint efforts at coming to grips with these challenges. The Summit is designed to represent the perspectives and proposals of all countries across the world, including Bangladesh. Continue reading →