ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment 2022

Since 1998, the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment (HAS) has been an essential platform for discussing the activities and issues related to strengthening the coordination and effectiveness of the humanitarian assistance of the United Nations. The HAS provides a key opportunity for Member States, the United Nations system, development actors, the private sector and other humanitarian partners to discuss current and emerging humanitarian challenges and priority themes and share experiences and lessons learned.

The 2022 HAS took place from 21 to 23 June in New York. The HAS was chaired by His Excellency Ambassador Diego Pary Rodríguez, Permanent Representative of Bolivia to the United Nations in New York, in his capacity as the ECOSOC Vice President for the HAS.

On the basis of the ECOSOC decision agreed on 28 April, the theme for this year’s HAS was “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.” (E/2022/L.6).

Three high-level panel discussions were held during the HAS under the following themes:

1. “Humanitarian assistance and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic: working together to ensure that children and women are not left behind”
2. “Reaching people in need, supporting humanitarian assistance for all in times of conflict and promoting good practices in the application of international humanitarian law”
3. "Humanitarian impacts of the climate crisis: escalating risks, challenges and actions"

In addition to the high-level panel discussions, the organization of the HAS included opening and closing sessions and the adoption of the annual ECOSOC humanitarian resolution. A limited number of side events was held on the margins of the HAS from 20 to 24 June.

The ECOSOC meeting on the transition from relief to development was held immediately preceding the HAS on 20 June in New York, under the theme “Recurrent crises and sustainable solutions: building resilience and addressing rising food insecurity and displacement”. (E/2022/L.7). The meeting was held pursuant to General Assembly resolution 75/290 A.