Co-organised jointly with the Government of Germany and with the support of the State of Geneva, the World Summit on Humanitarian Negotiation brings together thought leaders, policymakers, government representatives, academics and humanitarian actors from international and non-governmental organisations to reflect on how humanitarian negotiations shape our response to today’s most complex humanitarian crises.
In a world which continues grappling with instability, conflict, socio-economic divides, humanitarian funding challenges, misinformation, severe weather events and displacement, it is more important than ever to critically consider the role that humanitarian workers play in establishing trust with counterparts in the delivery of assistance and protection services.
These professionals are not only expected to negotiate a response to crises but also to preserve their organisation’s mandate while operating within the respect of humanitarian principles and standards.
During the World Summit, participants have the opportunity to discuss the current and emerging negotiation challenges that humanitarian professionals and organisations must be equipped to handle in today’s rapidly evolving environment.
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27-28 June 2024
Maison de la Paix – Geneva
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Highlights from the 2024 World Summit
Video production by Fullframe – Creative agency
Download the reports
Session recordings
A rich agenda informed by humanitarian negotiators’ real-life challenges
The World Summit agenda is developed through the contributions of the many frontline humanitarian professionals from diverse backgrounds, agencies and world regions who compose our 8,000-strong community of practice.
- By sharing their own expertise and field practices, these professionals shape an event programme focused on those themes and contexts which are of the highest concern in today’s global humanitarian operations.
- The Summit will provide an opportunity to network, share frontline experiences, showcase achievements and find solutions to the most pressing negotiation challenges faced by the humanitarian community.
- Participants will provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of humanitarian negotiations, including themes such as negotiations with local communities, humanitarian diplomacy, principled humanitarian action, and assertive or hostile counterparts.
- Emphasis will be placed on unpacking the most complex negotiation challenges faced in the framework of acute humanitarian crises including Afghanistan, Ukraine, Sudan, and other contexts that demand the utmost skill and resilience from negotiators and the diplomatic community.
Community Days: The annual gathering of our community of practice
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The World Summit is also an opportunity for the members of our global community of practice to get together, reflect on shared challenges and innovative practices, and collectively inform the direction of the CCHN’s work.
These two “Community Days” took place in person, in Geneva, on 25 and 26 June – just before the Summit.
Please note that this segment is closed, with limited seats reserved for CCHN community members.
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Get in touch
For additional information on the World Summit, please contact:
[email protected]
For media enquiries, please contact:
Barbara Sartore, Head of Communication
[email protected]
This event would not have been possible without the kind support of the Government of Germany and the State of Geneva.
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