Riyadh: Saudi Arabia, represented by Assistant Supervisor General for Planning and Development at the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Aqeel Al-Ghamdi, participated in the OCHA Donor Support Group (ODSG) - Expert-level Meeting (ELM), held in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting was attended by representatives from 30 member states.
According to Saudi Press Agency, discussions focused on developments related to OCHA's reset plan and reform efforts, as well as the organization's budget and humanitarian priorities amid global funding challenges. Participants also reviewed ways to strengthen international coordination to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian aid.
Dr. Al-Ghamdi reaffirmed the Kingdom's steadfast commitment to global humanitarian action under the guiding principle of 'People First.' He emphasized that enhanced coordination between the donor community and OCHA is essential to ensure aid reaches those most in need. He also noted that an effective humanitarian response requires transparent mechanisms for prioritizing resources toward the most urgent interventions, especially in light of the widening funding gap confronting the humanitarian system.
Dr. Al-Ghamdi highlighted the importance of humanitarian diplomacy as a key instrument in OCHA's coordination efforts, helping ensure access to populations affected by crises and disasters. He cited the Kingdom's pivotal role in hosting the Jeddah talks on Sudan, where humanitarian considerations were integrated into peace negotiations to facilitate urgent relief operations and open humanitarian corridors. He also pointed to Saudi Arabia's diplomatic efforts in Gaza, which played a crucial role in securing the entry of food and medicine during critical periods.
Participants discussed progress in implementing the humanitarian reset plan and OCHA's efforts to strengthen coordination by supporting local partners in affected countries. They also examined mechanisms for setting humanitarian priorities and the implications of the 2026 budget, which is expected to see significant cuts that could impact OCHA's operational and field coordination capacities.
The meeting underscored that the current period represents a pivotal moment for international humanitarian action. It called for stronger partnerships and greater donor solidarity to address funding shortfalls and ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of global humanitarian response efforts.