The World Humanitarian Summit Regional Consultation for the Pacific was held from 30 June to 2 July in Auckland, New Zealand. Thiswas the seventh of eight regional consultations held ahead of the first ever World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) in Istanbul in May 2016.
More than 140 participants attended the meeting, including representatives of Member States, regional organizations, civil society, affected communities, NGOs, UN agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the private sector and academia.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
The Ngāti Whātua people (the people of the land) performed a traditional Māori ceremony (pōwhiri) of encounter and welcome.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
UNOCHA Under Secretary General Stephen O’Brien exchanged a hongi with the orator. A hongi is a gentle pressing of noses which signifies the mingling together of the sacred breath of life, and the two sides become one.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
Dignitaries at the press conference on Day 1 discussed the humanitarian challenges facing the region.
From the far left – Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Premier of Niue Toke Talagi, Prime Minister of Tuvalu Enele Sopoaga, IFRC Secretary General Elhadj As Sy, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark and the Under Secretary General of UNOCHA Stephen O’Brien.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
Master of Ceremonies Mr. Laulu Mac Leauanae welcomed the WHS participants.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Julie Bishop highlighted the value of investment in disaster risk reduction and preparedness in saving lives and protecting economies.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
Stephen O’Brien, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator introduced the WHS global process to participants.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
An overview of the WHS preparatory consultations in the Pacific was delivered by Sune Gudnitz, Head of the OCHA Regional Office for the Pacific.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
A panel discussion focused on the future humanitarian context in the Pacific, reflecting on the recent disaster season and particularly Tropical Cyclone Pam. The panelists outlined their experiences and how they related to the key findings of the preparatory stakeholder analysis.
From the far right - Jennifer Worthington (Oxfam and the Vanuatu Humanitarian Team), Pepe Christian Fruean (Digicel Pacific), Jotham Napat (Vanuatu Ministry of Climate Change and Disaster Management), Nemi Naparau (affected community member from Vanuatu) and Elhadj As Sy (IFRC Secretary General)
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
A number of breakout sessions were held throughout the WHS Pacific consultations. Participants were split into mixed groups involving different constituencies, and each breakout group focused on one of the key humanitarian issues.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
A number of breakout sessions were held throughout the WHS Pacific Regional consultations. Participants were split into mixed groups involving different constituencies, and each breakout group focused on one of the key humanitarian issues.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
Participants at the World Humanitarian Summit Pacific Consultation meeting showed their support for strengthening the global humanitarian system.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
In this meeting, participants discussed the prioritisation of innovation in humanitarian action in the Pacific.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
Participants were encouraged to think outside the box to develop innovative new ideas for enhancing the humanitarian system in the Pacific.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
The co-chairs of the Regional Steering Group presented the draft summary of the regional consultation findings and recommendations for discussion and endorsement by the participants. To read the final co-chairs’ summary go to - http://bit.ly/1JSEVAH
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
The CEO of the Pacific Disability Forum, Setareki Macanawai, contributed his thoughts to the discussion during the presentation of the co-chairs’ summary.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
The way forward - Dr. Jemilah Mahmood outlined the next steps after the Pacific consultation meeting in Auckland
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
The Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Ertharin Cousin reminded the meeting about the importance of involving affected communities, especially women, in humanitarian responses.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
His Excellency Anote Tong, President of Kiribati, won a standing ovation after reminding participants about the human dimension of climate change which is an urgent challenge for low-lying atoll countries in the Pacific.
Credit: OCHA/Scott Taylor
SUBSCRIBE