In an era marked by rising temperatures, water scarcity, and protracted conflict–from the arid landscapes of the Middle East to land degradation of Sub-Saharan Africa–the impact of climate shocks and violence is unmistakable and costly. 2024 brings increasing recognition on the global stage that this must not be ignored. The world’s largest climate gathering, COP28, recognized this for the first time in December as it featured the first ever Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace. Humanitarian need globally is becoming more concentrated in places impacted by climate shocks that have the most degraded coping mechanisms and funding investments needed to address them – places of fragility and armed conflict.
Leaders in the humanitarian, development, and climate sectors face a pivotal moment: will they meet the moment and overcome silos to harness the lessons learned from decades of leading disaster risk reduction, responses to displacement, and humanitarian response, and meet the needs of the most vulnerable during protracted conflict? Or will fragmentation, chronic underinvestment and financial access challenges, and a lack of clarity imperil them to be out of step with climate demands? As the world’s leading humanitarian donor and a vital part of the solution for the global effort to address the impacts of climate change, how will the United States use its influence to catalyze pre-crisis investments and humanitarian action that will anticipate, adapt to, and mitigate climate disaster?
The Washington Humanitarian Forum will provide a space for humanitarian, development, and climate finance experts and practitioners to discuss and debate these pressing issues, create a common picture of the challenges faced, and harness the energy required to chart a path forward toward resilience in specific country contexts that privileges the strengths and innovations humanitarians have to offer, while identifying the limitations of humanitarian solutions and the critical dependencies on other sectors. The conference will spotlight this nexus and emphasize the imperative for swift and substantial climate financing to bolster resilience and alleviate human suffering. Join us as we explore innovative climate solutions, forge new partnerships between sectors, and devise urgent policy solutions to address the pressing challenges of climate change and conflict on a global scale.
This event is made possible through the generous support of USAID.
Check-in and Coffee Networking
Opening Keynote: The U.S. Climate Pledge and Humanitarian Action featuring Martin Griffiths and Sonali Korde
Networking Coffee Break
Networking Lunch
Networking Coffee Break
Networking Coffee Break
Closing Session and Keynote: Call to Action featuring Tjada D'Oyen McKenna
Reception
