African Union high-level panel humanitarian effectiveness in Africa
INVITATION TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES
What: AFRICAN UNION HIGH-LEVEL PANEL HUMANITARIAN EFFECTIVENESS IN AFRICA
Theme: The theme of the Panel is: “Humanitarian Effectiveness in Africa,”
When: 23rd May 2016
Duration: The High-Level Panel will last for 90 minutes.
Where: Istanbul, Turkey
Who: The High-Level Panel will be convened and chaired by H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) and moderated by H.E. Aisha Laraba Abdullahi, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs.
The Panel will facilitated by the following:
Professor Chaloka Beyani- UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of IDPs
Hon. Amina Muhammad – Nigerian Minister for Environment
Hon. TarsisKabwegyere – Ugandan Minister for General Duties
Dr. James Mwangi- Managing Director Equity Bank-Private Sector.
Dr. Camillus N. Kassala- East African Statistical Training Centre
Ms. Eiman Kheir – Diaspora Focal Point, Citizens and Diaspora Directorate
Objectives: The AU High-Level Panel aims to provide an interactive dialogue between the African Union and the global community on Africa’s humanitarian agenda and ways of aligning it with the Istanbul Plan of Action. The Panel will result in the Chair’s Summary, constituting a contribution towards the outcome of the World Humanitarian Summit.
Specific objectives of the Panel are to:
Unveil Africa’s proposed reforms to its humanitarian architecture to achieve effective humanitarian response and durable solutions,
Share experience on ratification and domestication of the Kampala Convention, including the proposed Conference of States Parties,
Discuss the role of displacement data and ways of information sharing, knowledge generation and innovation,
Exchange views on the strengthening role of the Diaspora and Private Sector in humanitarian action.
Participants: The Panel is expected to be attended by 100-150 participants, who will include Heads of State and Government, Heads of UN Agencies and high profile personalities, Representatives of Regional Organisations, Multilateral and Bilateral Donors, Humanitarian Organisations, Private Sector, African Diaspora and Civil Society, and Academia.
Background: The first-ever World Humanitarian Summit, will be held on 23 – 24 May 2016, in Istanbul, Turkey. In accordance with its General Assembly Decision, AU/Dec.604 (XXVI), the African Union (AU) will present a Common African Position (CAP) on Humanitarian Effectiveness at the Summit.
The CAP is a contribution of the AU in shaping a future Agenda for Humanity proposed by H.E. Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his report to the World Humanitarian Summit. The CAP encapsulates Africa Union’s (AU) vision on humanitarian issues in line with its Agenda 2063. It represents the voices and concerns of Africa’s leaders and people in shaping a future humanitarian architecture.
During the Istanbul Summit, the AU will host a High-Level Panel on humanitarian effectiveness in Africa. The theme of the Panel: Humanitarian Effectiveness in Africa, underscores the focus of AU’s humanitarian agenda in the next decade. This focus is in response to the call by Africa’s leaders and that of the UN Secretary-General for a future humanitarian system which is effective, relevant and fit for purpose.
The Panel is organised in collaboration with the following organisations: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons and Norwegian Refugee Council-Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (NRC/IDMC)
CONTEXT: The World Humanitarian Summit is being convened against a backdrop of a rapidly changing landscape. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his Report to the World Humanitarian Summit: “One Humanity, One Responsibility”, has underscored the growing problem of forced displacement globally, with a call for action in five core responsibilities.
With over 15 million refugees and internally displaced persons; and another 35 million of its people recently affected by unprecedented El Nino and La Nina phenomena in 40 years, the African continent remains a region where a large sum of humanitarian activity is undertaken. Several humanitarian situations that subsist on the African continent have remained protracted for many years. This trend is likely to grow even bigger in proportion given the changing nature of patterns of displacement. Solutions to address these crises have remained elusive over the years and the humanitarian system over stretched as to deliver effective humanitarian response.
In addition to Agenda 2063, the AU has recently adopted a number of legal and policy instruments a Common African Position on Humanitarian Effectiveness to address forced displacement and humanitarian crises on the continent. These are historic and important milestones. Notably, the CAP provides a long-term strategic vision on addressing forced displacement and humanitarian issues in Africa. On the other hand, the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (the Kampala Convention), the only legally binding instrument on IDPs cited by the Secretary-General in his report is good model on which regional frameworks and eventually a global instrument on IDPs could be developed.
PROGRAMME, REGISTRATION AND FINAL HIGH PANEL REGISTRATION
Provisional programme is attached; Time and venue to be communicated in due course. Please register interest in, and level of participation, for this High Level Panel at http://goo.gl/forms/1IXgGSZows .
The Panel will be open to media and will be broadcast and webcast live.
Journalists are invited to cover the Event.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Commission (AUC).