Péter Szijjártó said at the opening ceremony of the regional consultation of the UN World Humanitarian Summit that humanitarian and international development policy is an integral and crucially important part of Hungary’s foreign policy; approximately HUF 1 billion was spent on humanitarian actions between 2010 and 2014.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade underlined that accelerating global changes always pose new challenges for the countries and bring about numerous unfavourable developments as well, such as, among others, armed and religious conflicts, epidemics, natural disasters and terrorism.
Péter Szijjártó was of the opinion that all these changes and negative consequences elevate the importance of humanitarian activities to a whole new level. More resources need to be mobilised all over the world to counterbalance or at least relieve tensions and suffering.
However, the world continues to struggle with economic challenges, and although humanitarian aid is needed more than ever now, the available financial resources are shrinking, he pointed out. The Minister emphasised that humanitarian and international development policy is an important part of foreign policy in Hungary. The country spent HUF 1 billion on humanitarian actions between 2010 and 2014, with a focus on Syria.
Hungary is planning to spend HUF 250 million on humanitarian actions in 2015 and will focus on two areas: on the protection of Christian communities all over the world and on humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
He said that a grant of HUF 200 million will be provided to Transcarpathia for the maintenance of educational, cultural and social institutions, and HUF 30 million was spent on assistance to families living in Ukraine last year. A further grant of HUF 140 million has been approved by the government and a humanitarian aid worth HUF 30 million will be on its way as well, he said.
Péter Szijjártó also mentioned that Christians are threatened primarily in the Middle East region, and they already received humanitarian aid of EUR 70,000 last year. Hungary intends to increase its support for the endangered Christian communities all over the world this year.
Talking to journalists, the Minister said at the event that immigration is not a country specific, Hungarian problem. It is a European challenge that requires a European answer. Rational, peaceful and calm dialogue is needed to prepare an appropriate strategy for this serious economic, social and humanitarian challenge, he argued.
In a video message sent to the summit UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that we need to learn from experiences gained all over the world in order that harmonised and coordinated action can be taken to manage humanitarian crises. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos emphasised in her speech that they are responsible for protecting people from humanitarian crises; prevention and preparation for future disasters is important. However, no single organisation is capable of doing this alone; that is why cooperation and coordinated action are important, she said.
Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management said that the biggest challenges lie in the scarcity of the available resources, increasing needs, more and more conflicts, international terrorism and climate change. This consultation gives a chance to examine the humanitarian framework and to consult about the necessary changes, he said. He also emphasised the importance of further dialogue, mutual understanding, collective action and, above all, that of solidarity.
On Tuesday and Wednesday Hungary will host one of eight regional consultations in preparation for the first-ever humanitarian summit to be organised in Istanbul next year on the Secretary-General’s initiative. Attended by 54 UN Member States, the biggest of the preparatory conferences is held in Budapest. The regional consultation addresses four topics of the world summit – humanitarian effectiveness, reducing vulnerability and managing risk, innovation, and serving the needs of people in conflict –, and makes preparations for the Secretary-General’s report on proposals for humanitarian action after 2016, which will be submitted for approval in Istanbul.
Some 250 international and Hungarian experts participate in the meeting held in the Budapest Congress Centre; in addition to the representatives of international organisations and governments, the representatives of international and local non-governmental organisations, the private sector and the academic life are also present.
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
