2016 World Humanitarian Summit

2016 World Humanitarian Summit was a global gathering convened by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to address the growing humanitarian needs around the world, with the participation of World Food Programme, United Nations Development Programme, and Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The summit brought together world leaders, including Angela Merkel, Justin Trudeau, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as representatives from NGOs like Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam International. The event was held in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 23-24, 2016, with the support of European Union, African Union, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

● Introduction

The 2016 World Humanitarian Summit was a landmark event that aimed to reform the humanitarian system, with the involvement of International Committee of the Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The summit was convened in response to the growing humanitarian needs, including the Syrian Civil War, South Sudanese Civil War, and European migrant crisis, which were being addressed by organizations like UNICEF, World Health Organization, and International Rescue Committee. The event was attended by over 9,000 participants, including representatives from governments of China, United States, France, and Germany, as well as civil society organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The summit was also supported by private sector companies like Microsoft, Google, and Facebook, which were working with UNHCR, WFP, and UNDP.

● Background

The idea of a World Humanitarian Summit was first proposed by Ban Ki-moon in 2012, with the support of Kofi Annan, Graça Machel, and Mary Robinson, who were all involved in United Nations Foundation and The Elders. The summit was preceded by a series of regional consultations, including the Arab League and African Union summits, which were attended by leaders like Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jacob Zuma. The consultations were facilitated by organizations like International Council of Voluntary Agencies and InterAction, which were working with USAID, DFID, and GIZ. The summit's agenda was shaped by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable Development Goals, and Paris Agreement, which were all adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.

● Objectives_and_Outcomes

The 2016 World Humanitarian Summit had several objectives, including the Grand Bargain, which aimed to reduce humanitarian funding gaps, with the support of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Open Society Foundations. The summit also focused on the Core Humanitarian Standard, which aimed to improve the quality and accountability of humanitarian response, with the involvement of Sphere Project and Humanitarian Accountability Partnership International. The outcomes of the summit included the adoption of the World Humanitarian Summit Core Commitments, which were endorsed by organizations like CARE International, Save the Children, and World Vision International. The commitments included the Agenda for Humanity, which outlined a vision for a more effective and efficient humanitarian system, with the support of UNOCHA, UNHCR, and WFP.

● Participation_and_Representation

The 2016 World Humanitarian Summit was attended by a diverse range of participants, including heads of state like Vladimir Putin, Barack Obama, and Xi Jinping, as well as representatives from NGOs like Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps. The summit also included representatives from private sector companies like Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever, which were working with UNICEF, WFP, and UNDP. The event was also attended by civil society organizations like Oxfam America and Save the Children US, which were working with USAID, DFID, and GIZ. The participation of local communities and affected populations was also a key aspect of the summit, with the support of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and United Nations Volunteers.

● Key_Issues_and_Debates

The 2016 World Humanitarian Summit addressed several key issues, including the refugee crisis, climate change, and humanitarian financing, with the involvement of UNHCR, WFP, and UNDP. The summit also debated the role of new technologies in humanitarian response, with the support of Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, which were working with UNICEF, WFP, and UNDP. The issue of humanitarian access and protection of civilians was also a major concern, with the involvement of International Committee of the Red Cross and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The summit also discussed the need for greater investment in humanitarian response and more effective partnerships between governments, NGOs, and private sector companies, with the support of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Open Society Foundations.

● Follow-up_and_Impact

The 2016 World Humanitarian Summit has had a significant impact on the humanitarian system, with the support of UNOCHA, UNHCR, and WFP. The summit's outcomes have been implemented through various initiatives, including the Grand Bargain and the Core Humanitarian Standard, with the involvement of Sphere Project and Humanitarian Accountability Partnership International. The summit has also led to increased investment in humanitarian response and disaster risk reduction, with the support of USAID, DFID, and GIZ. The follow-up to the summit is being coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, with the support of UNICEF, WFP, and UNDP. The impact of the summit will be reviewed at the 2020 World Humanitarian Summit, which will be hosted by Germany and Ireland, with the support of European Union and African Union.

Category:Humanitarian aid