SLOVENIA, October 3 - During the Slovenian Development Days event, President Nataša Pirc Musar inaugurated the first Slovenian Humanitarian Forum. In her address, she underscored the importance of international solidarity, emphasising how countries can join forces to address pressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty, hunger and migration. She added that international humanitarian solidarity can be a catalyst for peace, stability and justice. The awards were presented as part of the “Solidarity in Natural Disasters and Other Humanitarian Crises around the World” competition organised by Caritas Slovenia.

During the panel discussion titled "Humanitarian aid between needs and resources: How to respond in a faster, more effective, comprehensive and preventive way", high-ranking guests including European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Sanja Štiglic, Assistant Executive Director of the World Food Programme Ute Klamert, and VOICE President Dominic Crowley, agreed that the significant humanitarian disparity between available resources and pressing needs calls for not only increased funding but also heightened investment in development partnerships, conflict prevention, resilience building and preventive measures, coupled with improved anticipation and swifter action.

Panels were also carried out on "Slovenian development cooperation: Priorities, challenges and predictable financing" and on "Slovenia’s humanitarian response to global crises". Slovenian decision-makers and service providers presented their own work and shared their experiences, requirements and recommendations for the more effective implementation of development cooperation and humanitarian aid. The opening remarks were delivered by Marjeta Jager, Deputy Director-General for International Partnerships (European Commission) and Vojko Volk, State Secretary for International Relations, Office of the Prime Minister.

State Secretary Sanja Štiglic brought the first day of the Slovenian Development Days to a close by emphasising that an effective response to global development and humanitarian challenges can only be provided through partnerships. This principle will also guide Slovenia's efforts as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. She underscored the significance of bolstering the financial resources and capacities of service providers on the ground.