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First-ever World Humanitarian Summit must usher in new era of global solidarity, says UN chief

Xinhua, April 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

Briefing on preparations for the upcoming World Humanitarian Summit, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called on the international community to use this summit to "generate the momentum for change and send a message of solidarity."

After expressed his gratitude to member states and other stakeholders for advancing the WHS (World Humanitarian Summit) process, Ban highlighted two aspects of the summit, to be held on May 23 and 24 in Istanbul, Turkey, namely the Leaders' Segment and the Roundtables.

"The best way to achieve bold, courageous change is to make sure that leaders are there to deliver it. That is why I will convene a Leaders' Segment for Heads of States and Governments on day one -- May 23," said Ban.

The Leaders' Segment will be an opportunity to discuss the five core responsibilities of the Agenda for Humanity: Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflict; Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity; Leave No One Behind; Change People's Lives - from Delivering Aid to Ending Need and Invest in Humanity, he said.

In addition, there will be seven roundtable sessions. These will provide a space for leaders from Member States, civil society and the private sector to focus on a number of challenges crucial to achieving the 2030 Agenda and other shared goals, according to Ban.

Noting that "in too many countries, conflicts are destroying lives and ruining economies," Ban urged world leaders to "participate at the highest level in the Roundtable on Preventing and Ending Conflict and the Roundtable on Upholding the Norms that Safeguard Humanity."

Other themes of the roundtables are: Leaving No-one Behind; Natural Disasters and Climate Change; From Delivering Aid to Ending Need; Gender Equality; and Investing in Humanity.

Hailing the summit as "a unique opportunity to generate the momentum for change and send a message of solidarity and support to the 125 million people in immediate crisis," Ban called on the international community to "make the World Humanitarian Summit a historic step forward for our common humanity." Enditem