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World Humanitarian Day - 19 August 2026
Annual observance of World Humanitarian Day at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Five years later, the General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day (WHD).
Speakers and programme:
Master of ceremony: Ms. Alessandra Vellucci, Director, United Nations Information Service at Geneva
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Wreath laying and candle lighting ceremony
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Laying of flowers by the survivors and families of the victims of the attack against the United Nations Office in Baghdad of 19 August 2003, and other UN Offices
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Laying of flowers by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
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Remarks by Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva
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Minute of silence
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Remarks by Mr. Barham Salih, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
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Remarks by Ms. Awa Dabo, Deputy High Commissioner, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
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Remarks by H.E. Mr. Saywan Barzani, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
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Remarks by Ms. Shawbo Taher-Al-Talabani, survivor of the 19 August 2003 terrorist attack against the United Nations Mission in Baghdad
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Remarks by Ms. Laura Johnson, Executive Secretary, UNOG Staff Union
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Remarks by Ms. Gemma Connell, Officer-in-Charge, Humanitarian Sector Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
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Conclusion of the event
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