The event, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland together with  Warsaw Ptak Expo in Nadarzyn near Warsaw, was also attended by President Andrzej Duda and Palestine’s Foreign Minister Riad Malki.

“The focus of our humanitarian and development actions is to ensure – both to internally displaced persons and refugees – decent living standards and future prospects,” said Minister Czaputowicz. He went on to add that Poland has been implementing these measures  specifically by providing access to education, health care and the labour market.

During his address, Minister Czaputowicz emphasized Poland’s close cooperation with the UN in humanitarian assistance. “As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, we are underscoring the importance of observing international humanitarian law and the protection of the civilian population in armed conflicts,” he noted. He stressed that the Warsaw Humanitarian Expo is the first event of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe. It represents a platform for meetings of experts, decision-makers and the private sector. “The Expo gives companies the opportunity to showcase their products, such as medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, food and services relating to security, logistics and new technologies,” concluded the chief of Polish diplomacy.

As part of the so-called Humanitarian Village, which was created especially for students and teachers, non-government organisations from the humanitarian aid sector will make their presentations. The MFA will also open an interactive stand, prepared in cooperation with the Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development. The idea behind the Village is to promote and inform about the 17 Millennium Development Goals, adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2015, and signed by President Andrzej Duda on that same year. The Goals address fundamental issues: fighting poverty and hunger, sustainable development, peace, social justice, and ensuring access to education and health care.

Thanks to this event, organised under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda, Poland is enhancing its image as a reliable donor of humanitarian and development aid. In addition, one of the aims of the Warsaw Humanitarian Expo is to make Polish entrepreneurs aware that the humanitarian and development assistance sector represents a huge market for different kinds of goods and services. During the Expo, companies active in the humanitarian and development sector will be able to present their products, including communication and transportation technologies, water purification installations and security systems. Visitors to the Expo will also have an opportunity to learn about procurement procedures and rules applied by UN agencies such as the World Food Programme, the WHO or UNICEF, and by the European Union, NATO, the International Red Cross and international aid organisations.

 

MFA Press Office

 

Photo: Tymon Markowski/MFA