Alwaleed Foundation Holds National Consultation for The World Humanitarian Summit (WHS)

September 21st 2014

The Humanitarian Forum in the UK in collaboration with Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundations, chaired by HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud and in participation with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) held the National Consultation on Wednesday 17th  September 2014 at the Four Season Hotel in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in preparation for the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) that will take place in Istanbul, Turkey in May 2016.

The World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) is an initiative by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to improve humanitarian action. Through the two-year consultation process, the aim is to build a more inclusive and diverse humanitarian system by bringing all key stakeholders together to share best practices and find innovative ways to make humanitarian action more effective.

The process is being managed by the UN OCHA and will culminate in a global summit in Istanbul, Turkey in 2016. The WHS events aim to develop stronger partnerships and seek innovative solutions to persistent and new challenges.

Four themes served as broad categories to guide the conversations. The themes included: Humanitarian effectiveness; Reducing Vulnerability and Managing Risk; Transformation through Innovation and Serving the Needs of People in Conflict.

The Humanitarian Forum aspires to provide a better understanding of the four thematic areas of the World Humanitarian Summit both substantively and practically processes relevant to the work of humanitarian organizations. In addition, based on the Foundations’ belief that, the unification of efforts will leave an imprint at the World Humanitarian Summit. It is also important to mention that the National Consultations that are being organized by The Humanitarian Forum are the first in the world, and started before UN OCHA launches its Regional Consultation.

Ms. Nora Al-Maliki, General Manager at the Saudi Department of Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation, gave the welcoming speech. The Humanitarian Forum and the UN OCHA were represented by Dr. Hani El Bana and Saeed Hersi, who opened the workshop with an explanatory brief about the workshop’s objectives. The event was also attended by Ms. Nauf Al-Rawaf, Executive Manager of Global Development Projects, Princess Lamia bint Majid Al Saud, Executive Manager Of Media And Public Relations and, whom in turn gave a closing remarks for the workshop, Ms. Amal Al Grafi, Operations Manager, Ms. Violin Al Khatib, Administrative Affairs Manager and a Ms. Amal Al Kathiri, Project Officer from the Saudi Department at the Foundation. The workshop was also attended by a rich mixture of representatives from Government, Non-Profit and Private Sector Entities.

The conference concluded with an excellent outcome and recommendations of which will be discussed at the summit scheduled to take place in Turkey 2016. The Humanitarian forum is a network of humanitarian and charitable organizations – Muslim western, multilateral and national. We improve the lives of those in need, and relations between organizations and aid workers through trust building and quality humanitarian action.

Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation-Global (Registered in Lebanon) worked with the global High Commissioner for Refugees in several platforms, most notably the support of the Syrians Refugee in Lebanon. The Foundations are involved in a wide spectrum of humanitarian and philanthropic activities in 84 countries. Their focus areas are established around strategic initiatives, ranging from Disaster Relief and Community Development, to Women and Youth Empowerment, as well as Promoting Intercultural Understanding.