UN chief Ban voices his disappointment as first World Humanitarian Summit closes



ISTANBUL: -- Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN chief Ban Ki-moon have closed the first World Humanitarian Summit, voicing disappointment there were not more high-profile leaders present.

More than 50 heads of state and government attended the ‘‘two-day meeting in Istanbul’‘:https://www.worldhumanitariansummit.org/ , but the G7’s were noticeably absent.

“It is a bit disappointing that some world leaders could not be here. Especially those from G7 countries, except Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany. I urge their greater engagement,’‘ UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said.

Described by some as an expensive talking shop, global medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, chose to boycott the event. Other NGOs, however, were less critical.

“It has helped to raise the issue that there is a gap between the humanitarian, emergency response and developement response and that we need to find the way to bridging that gap and finding different approaches,” said Dr Julie Hall MBE, Director of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Peter Michael Egwuda from the NGO CISCOPE also said: ‘‘I think for the fact that people are sitting down to talk on issues that concern the entire universe, the humanity, the world, vulnerable people, women, those who are affected across the globe, it’s a starting point.”

According to UN estimates, at least 25 billion euros of humanitarian aid is desperately needed to help 130 million people around the world.

Our correspondent in Istanbul Bora Bayrakta said: “The first World Humanitarian Summit convened by the UN has ended. It has arguably raised more questions than answers. Will its decisions be implemented, Will what has been pledged be stuck to or will such promises remain empty.?’‘

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-05-25

Maybe you need to do more than talk you had years to address this problem but you have failed , now where is the money going

The United Nations. The master of disappointments itself. So why should it be disappointed when others disappoint ?

One wonders how much this 2 day jolly cost and wouldn't the money have been better spent providing aid somewhere

Merkel was there to suck up to the Turks...period. The rest of the G7 don't see Turkey as the stellar host as they conduct ethnic atrocities against their own population, the Kurds.

Merkel was there to suck up to the Turks...period. The rest of the G7 don't see Turkey as the stellar host as they conduct ethnic atrocities against their own population, the Kurds.

Exactly why most stayed away. I always wondered why in Turkye, must be some reason we ought not know about.

besides a supposed peace leader officially shaking hands with a dictator who is causing a lot of problems lately.

Anybody understands?