Brussels, 10/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - In the opinion of the EU, the first World Humanitarian Summit (Istanbul, 23-24 May) - which will bring together representatives from governments, humanitarian organisations and agencies, and civil society - is a unique opportunity for the international community to take on the shared responsibility of saving lives, to alleviate suffering and preserve human dignity.
The Council of the EU is expected to state this in conclusions that the European development ministers are due to adopt without debate in Brussels on Thursday 12 May (see other article).
The effectiveness of aid and the respect of international humanitarian law are the EU's two big priorities for this summit (see EUROPE 11542 and 11419). The Council is expected to reiterate the commitment of the 28 EU member states to the big principles of international humanitarian law - humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence - while avoiding any political consideration and any attempt at exploiting humanitarian aid. They will ask all the leaders to do the same.
It will also state what is important to the EU and its member states: - to see world leadership emerge in order to prevent and put an end to conflicts; - to maintain the standards that preserve humanity; - not to leave anyone on the wayside - an objective to which the new approach recently proposed by the Commission tries to respond with regard to the EU's assistance to refugees and displaced persons (see EUROPE 11540); - to move from the provision of aid to the reduction of needs; - and to invest in humanity.
The EU and its member states will thus say that they subscribe to the vision of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, as set out in his report - “One humanity: Shared Responsibility” - and his “Agenda for Humanity”. They are expected to underline their determination to move forward in each of the five areas of responsibility for which commitments have been formulated by the United Nations.
The EU and its member states will confirm their commitment to taking their share in the collective efforts to provide, given that the summit is due to result in decisive action from all actors based on commitments in the Sendai framework for reducing the risk of disasters, the 2030 global agenda for sustainable development, and the Paris Agreement on the climate. This is also an important step towards the UN summit of 19 September 2016, which will be aimed at responding effectively to the great movements of migrants and refugees. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)