2025 ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment 18-20 June 2025 - Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
10:00 - 13:00: High-level panel discussion 4 - Reimagining the humanitarian system: innovative models to save lives, reduce suffering and promote peoples' resilience and livelihoods As the world grapples with the effects of growing and sustained conflict, climate change, and cataclysmic shifts in international order, humanitarians have no option but to innovate. Innovation goes beyond leveraging private sector innovation and technology; it is about reflecting on the system, whom humanitarians engage and how humanitarians work with each other, host governments, new and existing partners, and above all, people affected by humanitarian crises, to reach those in need in the most effective and impactful way. In this context, upholding and reinforcing humanitarian norms and principles remain paramount. At the same time, we must not lose sight of our core work. This panel will integrate insights from previous discussions to offer concrete solutions to improve how humanitarians deliver on behalf of those they serve. In an environment of reduced resources, it will invite participants to critically reflect on where there has been progress as well as on the roles of the UN, humanitarian leadership, local actors, regional organizations, the private sector (including Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies), and governments in designing innovative models that save lives and reduce human suffering. It will also address how innovation in the humanitarian sector connects with vital wider UN reform efforts, all with the imperative of saving lives, responding to the needs of people caught in crises, and ensuring no one is left behind. Panelists: Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Ms. Kelly Clements, Deputy High Commissioner, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Mr. Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Ms. Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director-General, UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Ms. Lucia Elmi, Director of Emergency Operations and Programmes, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Ms. Anna Tazita Samuel, Executive Director, Women for Change South Sudan Discussants: H.E Mr. Jamal Al Musharakh, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to UNOG H.E. Ms. Rina Hanis Rodzl, Deputy Permanent Representative of Malaysia to UNOG (on behalf of ASEAN)
