Member States called for the establishment of a global coordination system for humanitarian and disaster relief assistance work, told ECOSOC.

The meeting commenced by a discussion on special economic, humanitarian and disaster relief assistance, followed by member states’ comment on the draft resolution on strengthening inter-states cooperation. Many delegations took the floor and the following are some of the highlights:

Estonia’s representative stressed that core humanitarian values must be respected in all UN deliberations. In the midst of having an unprecedented amount of people facing forced displacement, he called on member states to stay committed in protecting the dignity and capacity of self-reliance for refugees and migrants, and the only way to do so would be to establish a global coordination system for information sharing, collaboration and joint-action.

The South Korean representative added that the vulnerable populations, which include women, children and persons with disabilities must not be left behind in order to stay in line with the principle of SDGs over the course of humanitarian work. And, he stressed, that it could only be done by formulating a multi-sectorial cooperation between different UN agencies under an effective global coordinating mechanism. Whilst agreeing with South Korea’s thought, China’s representative urged that international laws and national sovereignty must be respected whilst the UN and its agencies are conducting their humanitarian missions in foreign territories.

Meeting: ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment – ECOSOC General Debate & Closing of the HAS

Date/Time/Location: Wednesday, 29 June, 2016; 15:00 – 18:00; ECOSOC Chamber

Speakers: H.E. Ambassador Sven Jürgenson, Permanent Representative of Estonia to the United Nations, Representative of the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations, Representative of the Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations

Written by: Raphael LEUNG