Permanent Mission of India

Geneva

ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment

(17-19 June, 2015)

General Debate

Statement by H.E. Mr.Ajit Kumar, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of India to the UN

Mr. Vice President,

1. At the outset, I convey my best wishes on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan ("Kul 'am waenta bi-khair!") to everyone and hope that it augurs well for peace and stability in the world.

2.India welcomes appointment of Mr. Stephen O’Brien as the Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator and looks forward to work closely with him.

3.India is deeply concerned about the ongoing crisisspread over 37 countries and affecting more than 110 million people,who have to depend upon humanitarian support from international community for life saving assistance and protection.

Mr. Vice President

4.We believe that while addressing the immediate humanitarian needs, there is an urgent requirement to identify, analyse and address the grave challenges resulting from the ongoing humanitarian crisis and work towards achieving durable solutions. The need for addressing the growing gap between the needs and resources available for humanitarian assistance, is more than ever.In this regard, local and regional capacity building, usage of local knowledge and skills, better assessment, planning and coordinated efforts for implementation of humanitarian assistance are key to bringing efficiency and cost effectiveness to the humanitarian assistance programmes.

5.We need to pay close attention to protection of human dignity during humanitarian crisis, as it isan important dimension of international protection and humanitarian assistance.  While doing so, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries concerned should be respected, and the assistance should be provided based upon the request of the host government.

Mr. Vice President

6.The international community will be observing the first International Day of Yoga on 21 June. You may recall that the UNGeneral Assemblylast year adopted a resolutionin this regard, which wasco-sponsored by 177 countries.  We believe that the message of yoga, which embodies harmony between man with nature and his surroundings, thought and action, restraint and fulfilment will be a valuable guiding principle for addressing the present day humanitarian challenges.   In Geneva, the International Day of Yoga will be observedon 21 June at the Palais des Nation.  We welcome you all to this function.

8.India looks forward to the adoption of the resolution by the ECOSOC on Strengthening of the Coordination of Emergency Humanitarian Assistance of the United Nations.  India welcomes and pledges its support to the role of the United Nations in coordinating and responding to the growing global humanitarian needs. We also acknowledge the effort of the United Nations to strengthen coordination, preparedness and response efforts and improving the quality and effectiveness of humanitarian action.

9.The humanitarian challenges faced by the world today also open enormous opportunities for us to closely work together.  We are confident that the consultations held during this Humanitarian Affairs Segment of ECOSOC will contribute immensely in preparation for World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May 2016.

I thank you, Mr. Vice President.

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