Ambassador Omar Hilale elected president of ECOSOC humanitarian segment

Morocco's permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, ambassador Omar Hilale, was elected on Tuesday as president of the Humanitarian Affairs Segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the period 2018-2019.

This election took place at the first meeting of the Bureau of the Economic and Social Council, chaired by ambassador Inga Rhonda King of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and attended by the vice-presidents of the Economic and Social Council, including ambassador Hilale and ambassadors of Norway, Tore Hattrem, and the Philippines, Teodoro Lopez Locsin Junior.

This Segment represents all meetings of the Economic and Social Council dealing with humanitarian issues. It provides a unique opportunity for all humanitarian actors, notably member States, the United Nations system, humanitarian and development partners, the private sector and affected communities to discuss emerging and urgent humanitarian issues. Since its creation in 1998, this segment has been an essential platform for discussing issues related to strengthening the coordination of United Nations humanitarian aid.

The Humanitarian segment is held during the months of May and June, alternating annually between Geneva and New York. The 2019 segment will be held in Geneva. Its work program will include a general debate, high-level panels and side events. It is culminated by the adoption of the annual ECOSOC resolution on humanitarian aid, particularly for refugees and displaced persons.