ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment 2023
- Start date:
- End date:
Geneva
Since 1998, the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment (HAS) has been an essential platform for discussing the activities and issues related to strengthening the coordination and effectiveness of the humanitarian assistance of the United Nations. The HAS provides a key opportunity for Member States, the United Nations system, development actors, the private sector and other humanitarian partners to discuss current and emerging humanitarian challenges and priority themes and share experiences and lessons learned.
The 2023 HAS will take place from 21 to 23 June in Geneva. The HAS will be chaired by His Excellency Ambassador Maurizio Massari, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations in New York, in his capacity as the ECOSOC Vice-President for the HAS. On the basis of the ECOSOC decision agreed on 5 April, the theme for this year’s HAS is “Strengthening humanitarian assistance at a time of unprecedented global humanitarian needs: driving transformation and solutions to address the urgent challenges of rising food insecurity and the risk of famine, protection risks and climate change” (E/2023/L.11).
Four high-level panel discussions will be held during the HAS under the following themes:
- “Addressing the unprecedented global challenge of food insecurity and the risk of famine: scaling up prevention, response and resilience”;
- “Addressing protection risks, needs and challenges in humanitarian emergencies, particularly the disproportionate impact on women and children”;
- “Preparing for the future: reinforcing and expanding partnerships at the global, regional, national and local levels”;
- “Strengthening humanitarian assistance in the face of climate change: humanitarian implications, lessons and recommendations for future action”
In addition to high-level panel discussions, the organization of the HAS will include opening and closing sessions, including a general discussion and action on the annual ECOSOC humanitarian resolution on Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations. A limited number of side events will be held on the margins of the HAS from 19 to 23 June.
The ECOSOC meeting to discuss the transition from relief to development will be held immediately preceding the HAS on 20 June in Geneva, under the theme “Transition from relief to development: taking action to promote resilience, sustainable solutions and recovery in climate-related disasters and crisis contexts” (E/2023/L.10). The meeting will be co-chaired by His Excellency Ambassador Albert Chimbindi, Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe to the United Nations in New York, in his capacity as the ECOSOC Vice-President for the Operational Activities for Development Segment, and Ambassador Maurizio Massari, in his capacity as the Vice-President for the HAS. The meeting will be held pursuant to General Assembly resolution 75/290 A.)
For further information on the HAS, please contact ochaecosochas@un.org.
General Statements
Canada, Chad, Cuba, Egypt, Guatemala, Iran, Japan, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Russian Federation, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Syria, Thailand, Ukraine, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe
FAO, UNFPA, UNICEF, World Food Programme (WFP)
Transition from Relief to Development
Morning session – watch here
Afternoon session – watch here
Humanitarian Affairs Segment
Opening Session and high-level panel on “Addressing the unprecedented global challenge of food insecurity and the risk of famine: scaling up prevention, response and resilience” – watch here
High-level panel on “Addressing protection risks, needs and challenges in humanitarian emergencies, particularly the disproportionate impact on women and children” – watch here
High-level panel on “Preparing for the future: reinforcing and expanding partnerships at the global, regional, national and local levels” – watch here
High-level panel on “Strengthening humanitarian assistance in the face of climate change: humanitarian implications, lessons and recommendations for future action” –watch here
HAS Closing Session – watch here
Side events
Monday, 19 June, 11:00-12:30
The life-saving power of education. Learning, mental health and wellbeing of crisis-affected and displaced children and youth
Watch the recording (1 hr 44 mins) - Recording password: 8NmTQkwi
Monday 19 June, 13:00-14:30
Disaster and climate-related displacement: Towards a global humanitarian response
Watch the recording (1 hr 28 mins) - Recording password: 5xRHjmvP
Monday, 19 June, 14:45-16:15
Ensuring Access that Protects Children: Collaborating with Communities for Effective Humanitarian Action
Watch the recording (1 hr 44 mins) - Recording password: vApjMbJ4
Monday, 19 June, 16:30-18:00
Fit for Purpose: How to Get to a Low Carbon and Resilient Humanitarian Sector?
Watch the recording (1 hr 58 mins) - Recording password: VhAGAe6K
Tuesday, 20 June. 8:30-10:00
Localization in practice - Enhancing local leadership and people-centered approach for quality humanitarian responses and long-term solutions
Watch the recording - Recording password: 9eEhVJ5D
Tuesday, 20 June, 13:15-14:45
The Global Food Crisis: What are the Most Impacted People and Communities Telling us at this Extraordinary Time? What are the Solutions?
Watch the recording (1 hr 54 mins) - Recording password: mBD4u3Jh
Wednesday, 21 June, 8:30-10:00
Protection Risks & Food Insecurity: Strengthening Community-led Solutions to Complex Crises
Watch the recording (1 hr 30 mins) - Recording password: QiQAyDk2
Wednesday, 21 June, 13:15-14:45
Empower to Protect: Strengthening Partnerships Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Watch the recording - Recording password: JtC7j3m9
Wednesday, 21 June, 13:15-14:45
Accountability to Affected People and Donor Responsibility – Building a Shared Agenda
Watch the recording (1 hr 31 mins) - Recording password: 9JfhWMAM
Thursday, 22 June, 8:30-10:00
Nurturing digital safe spaces for women and girls in humanitarian settings
Watch the recording (1 hr 27 mins) - Recording password: EmCUJyF7
Thursday, 22 June, 12:30- 14:00
Funding Humanitarian Financing, Efficiency and Localization: Making every dollar count
Watch the recording (1 hr 31 mins) - Recording password: UfbdhCQ4
Thursday, 22 June, 13:00-14:30
Collectively advancing the protection of humanitarian and health workers: progresses, gaps and next steps
Watch the recording - Recording password: Rhq8XaGD
Friday, 23 June, 8:30-10:00
The role of local and national actors in anticipatory action to minimise and address climate induced disasters and crises
Watch the recording - Recording password: Tn5Y7693
Friday, 23 June, 13:00-14:30
Protecting civilians from Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas: At the intersect between international diplomacy and humanitarian assistance
Watch the recording - Recording password: UfYUMpj8
Key Documents
Letter of invitation to the ECOSOC HAS and Transition Meeting
HAS Draft Programme (as of 15 June)
Transition Meeting Draft Programme (as of 15 June)
Information Note for Participants (as of 19 June)
HAS and Transition Meeting Briefing (4 May 2023)
Invitation to the HAS and Transition Briefing meeting (4 May 2023)
Remarks by Ms. Heli Uusikyla, Deputy Director, Operations and Advocacy Division, OCHA
Resources
ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment 2022
Global Humanitarian Overview 2023