Theme: Strengthening humanitarian assistance: good practices and mobilizing action in the application of international humanitarian law, the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and in response to the climate crisis

Mr. Chair,

At the outset, the Group of 77 and China expresses gratitude to H.E. Ambassador Diego Pary, the Vice-President of ECOSOC and Chair of this year's Humanitarian Affairs Segment, along with the Bureau and the Secretariat, for convening this important session. We consider this Segment an important opportunity to discuss how Member States, the UN System and relevant stakeholders can further enhance the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance.

2. Today, the world faces myriads of challenges - the pandemic, the economic downturn and the existential threat of climate catastrophe. According to one estimate, more than 50 million people around the world have been jointly affected by COVID-19 and climate change. The intersection of all these challenges has unfolded into a humanitarian crisis and decelerated the progress towards achieving 2030 Agenda.

3. The Global Humanitarian Overview estimates that 274 million individuals will need humanitarian assistance and protection in 2022, a significant increase from 235 million people last year, which was already the highest figure in decades. This is a result of the massive impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which increased the number of individuals acutely affected by food insecurity to 811 million and pushed an additional 20 million into extreme poverty in 2021.

4. At the same time, climate change has emerged as one of the greatest challenges of our times. The impacts of climate change coupled with massive humanitarian consequences -including drought, floods, extreme weather, increased incidence of disease, and growing food and water insecurity-most acutely impact low-income countries, even though they account for just 0.5 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions.

5. The IPCC in its Sixth Assessment Report unequivocally states that climate change is contributing to humanitarian crises where climate hazards interact with high vulnerability, increasingly driving displacement in all regions (SPM.B.1.7). Also, it states that climate change has caused substantial damages, and increasingly irreversible losses ecosystems (SPM.B.1.2), and that with increasing global warming, losses and damages will increase and additional human and natural systems will reach adaptation limits, unless we address a range of financial, governance, institutional and policy constraints (SPM.C.3).

6. The Group also highlights the socioeconomic impact of unilateral coercive measures, which have negative repercussions on the capacity of targeted States to respond efficiently to the humanitarian challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, and remind the obligation of states to lift and refrain from imposing those sanctions.

Mr. Chair,

7. Keeping in view the precarious humanitarian landscape, the Group proposes the following:

First, root causes of humanitarian emergencies should be addressed and resources for humanitarian assistance which are adequate to meet needs of the affected people should be mobilized without any form of discrimination. In this context, along with armed conflicts, similar attention should be devoted to the impacts of infectious and non-communicable diseases and the adverse effects of climate change, especially those that are irreversible, which can heighten the risk of further conflicts.

Second, implementation of international humanitarian law must be strengthened. In this regard, the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence should be respected, in all circumstances.

Third, in humanitarian emergencies, millions of people face multidimensional poverty and hunger. The international community must demonstrate solidarity in line with the principle of burden and responsibility sharing. The humanitarian assistance must conform to Resolution 46/182.

Fourth, an investment of $1.5 trillion is needed annually in sustainable infrastructure in the developing countries to recover from the pandemic and transition to environmentally sustainable economies. The UN can and must play a leading role in mobilizing this investment.

Fifth, developed countries must fully deliver on the long overdue and as yet unrealized goal to mobilize $100bn per year for climate finance for developing countries. We also welcome the agreement at COP26 in Glasgow to initiate further discussions on enhanced commitments for a new collective, quantified goal on climate finance from the floor of $100bn and prior to 2025. The new commitments must include sufficient financial resources to address losses and damages, to both mitigate current humanitarian emergencies, and to prevent future ones.

Sixth, in certain lower-income countries, many of the persons in vulnerable situations in society remain unprotected while young, healthy adults receive booster doses in wealthier countries. The Group stress the importance of ensuring global and equitable access to safe, timely and effective Covid-19 vaccines at affordable prices and reiterate that covid-19 vaccines should be declared public good, in addition to enhancing local and regional manufacturing through technology transfer and knowledge sharing. We must also not forget the importance of strengthening health systems and achieving universal coverage as a foundation for such equitable access, including for future health emergencies.

Finally, even as the number and humanitarian needs continue to grow, humanitarian financing is coming under increasing and severe strain. The funding gap has increased to massive $10 billion a year. The OCHA-coordinated Global Humanitarian Overview for 2022 estimated that $42 billion is required for financing. To overcome and effectively deal in humanitarian situations, it is important that we utilize all relevant channels to mobilize the required finances. The UN system and other relevant stakeholders should continue to enhance the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance in order to effectively address the needs of the increasing number of people affected by humanitarian emergencies.

Mr. Chair,

8. The Group is ready to work together with all relevant partners towards more effective coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance, so that the lives, wellbeing and dignity of millions of people caught in humanitarian emergencies are protected and safeguarded.

I thank you.