WHS Global Consultations, Geneva
Member States Dialogue (13 October 2015, 1400-1800 hrs)

Statement by India

Mr. Chairperson,

At the outset, we welcome the World Humanitarian Summit Secretariat and the organisers of the Global Consultations at Geneva for arranging member state dialogue before the start of the formal consultation process.

The humanitarian landscape has changed tremendously over last 25 years due to variety of reasons. Today, the humanity is facing new challenges and the number of people affected by humanitarian crises has almost doubled over the past decade, which is expected to further rise, and despite best efforts the world humanitarian system is no way in a position to address it.

In order to ensure speedy, adequate and effective humanitarian assistance to people in need, the present day humanitarian architecture is required to evolve in terms of its processes, procedures and capacity, and need to keep pace with rapidly changing world order.

While looking for new ways to address the humanitarian challenges, we strongly encourage all stakeholders for aligning the humanitarian action with the guiding principles of the GA resolution 46/182 related to sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of States. Thehumanitarian action must also align itself with Charter of the United Nations and assistance should be provided with the consent of the affected country and on the request of the affected country.This is required to ensure impartiality, neutrality and effectiveness of the humanitarian action.

We expect World Humanitarian Summit to focus on ways of strengthening capacity building at local, national and regional level and work out a robust mechanism for adequate & sustained financial support from the developed world including transfer of appropriate technology at favourable and concessional terms and conditions. Capacity building through training, development of local leadership, thrust towards innovation and resilience building should be made an integral part of the strategy for humanitarian action.

We look forward to World Humanitarian Summit coming up with a mechanism for smooth transition from relief to rehabilitation and development. We also call for strengthening of the coordination mechanism of emergency assistance, recovery and long term development so as to ensure effectiveness of humanitarian and development action.

We would also like the humanitarian action to be aligned with the sustainable development goals, Addis Ababa Action Agenda, Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction and similar other processes including the upcoming High-Level Panels on Humanitarian Financing and the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

We presume that the outcomes, if any, of today's Member States Dialogue based on the views expressed the Member States would be reflected in form of Chair's Summary.

Thank you Mr. Chairperson.