On 23 and 24 May 2016, Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, and Minister of Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, Romain Schneider, were in Istanbul to attend the first World Humantarian Summit.

At the summit, Heads of State and Government reaffirmed their common commitment to humanity and the universality of humanitarian principles, agreeing to create a global leadership to prevent and end conflicts and help alleviate human suffering caused by armed conflict, natural disasters and epidemics.

Prime Minister Bettel delivered a speech at the plenary session, claiming that "the humanitarian system is not up to par to meet the needs generated by protracted crises [...] both those that make the news as well as those that are forgotten".

He suggested that the weakest link in the humanitarian system it "not the result of financial deficit but above all the lack of access to the most vulnerable populations and the shrinking of humanitarian space". He therefore declared that "it is important to urgently deliver protection at the centre of humanitarian action and reaffirm the specificity of the humanitarian action mandate, which is not a subordinate instrument of foreign policy agendas, but an instrument and a full share of a policy".

He claimed that Luxembourg is actively pursuing a humanitarian policy, whose main objective is the promotion of the protection of vulnerable groups and persecuted communities, but also the better addressing of the specific needs of these groups, assing that "education in a crisis situation is a key factor in ensuring that young people play a significant role in their communities."

The Luxembourg Prime Minister announced that the country will increase its efforts to promote respect for international humanitarian law, particularly the Mine Ban Treaty and the code of conduct for mass atrocities.

Xavier Bettel then called for an end to the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and the protection of critical infrastructure against targeted or indiscriminate attacks.

The Prime Minister also participated in a high-level round table entitled "Humanitarian Financing - Investing in Humanity", chaired by UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, and a special session on Islamic social finance. During the summit, he also had meetings with several heads of state or government in order to deepen bilateral relations.

 

Luxembourg joined the Global Alliance for Humanitarian Innovation (GAHI), launched in Istanbul, which aims to promote innovative tools and practices for preparedness and response to humanitarian crises.

In addition, Romain Schneider, signed the charter for the inclusion of disability in humanitarian action, which affirms the determination of the signatories to make inclusive humanitarian action for all and take the necessary measures to be able to meet the needs of disabled people in any situation. The Grand Duchy also endorsed the "Call to Action" to fight violence against women in emergency situations. It is a multi-stakeholder initiative launched in 2013 that aims to transform the way in which such violence is addressed in humanitarian emergencies.

 

Photo by ME (Xavier Bettel)