This solemn ceremony commemorates World Humanitarian Day, held this year under the theme ‘End to Attacks on Humanitarians and Civilians and the End of Impunity under International Humanitarian Law.’
On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack to the UN premises at the Baghdad Canal Hotel killed 22 UN staff members, humanitarian aid workers, local workers, and wounded many more. Many of the survivors participated in the solemn ceremony, as the families of some fallen colleagues.
Five years later, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day. On this day, this year, like every other year, the Geneva community comes together to pay tribute to those whose lives have been destroyed in the line of duty, to honour those who work on the front lines of crisis, and to reaffirm our solidarity with the millions of people whose survival depends on humanitarian assistance.
As stressed by the UN Secretary-General, humanitarian teams are the last lifeline for over 300 million people impacted by conflict and disaster. However, this year’s commemoration comes amidst unprecedented challenges. Humanitarian operations are increasingly under attack, resources are stretched, and needs are escalating globally. For these reasons, it is so important for the United Nations to commemorate this day gathering together in front of the Baghdad and Algiers memorials at UN Geneva, and to express solidarity and the will to take action to defend humanitarians worldwide.
On this solemn commemoration, the Geneva Centre proudly joins the global campaign #ActForHumanity, launched by the United Nations, with sharper urgency, demanding protection, accountability and action.
In the words of UNSG António Guterrez, on 2025 World Humanitarian Day, let us honour the fallen, but let us honour them with bold action:
- Protect every aid worker and invest in their safety.
- Strengthen accountability and bring perpetrators to justice.
- Put an end to arms flows to parties that violate international law.
Together, let us say in one voice, an attack on humanitarians is an attack on humanity.
Let us #ActForHumanity.
The full ceremony has been captured in our extensive coverage: Commemoration of World Humanitarian Day
