Luxembourg takes over IHP presidency for the next 18 months
Luxembourg officially took over the presidency of the International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP) on February 6th, 2024, during a handover meeting held in Luxembourg. The outgoing president, Jukka Räsänen (ESAF), was thanked by the IHP focal points for his leadership, and the transition to Luxembourg was celebrated by partners and members present at the event.
The presidency, which runs from January 2024 to June 2025, will be jointly held by Luxembourg’s Civil Protection (CGDIS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The co-chairs of the presidency, Tom Barnig from CGDIS and Gilles Hoffmann from the MFA, presented an ambitious workplan, outlining the key priorities for the upcoming 18 months.
Key Priorities for Luxembourg’s IHP Presidency:
Internal Review: Luxembourg will begin by retracing and documenting the 30-year history of the IHP. This internal review will analyze the effectiveness of collaboration among members and examine strategic decisions the partnership must make in the coming years to remain relevant and efficient in delivering humanitarian aid.
Documentation and Information Management: The IHP’s documentation will undergo a comprehensive review to ensure that it is aligned with the current needs of the partnership. There will be a focus on enhancing information-sharing mechanisms by assessing the use of the VO and the IHP Repository. Additionally, the co-chairs will explore the introduction of new communication channels to improve collaboration.
Operations and Services: Continued development of IHP’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), standard Terms of Reference (TORs), and the request form will be a priority. The IHP support modules catalogue will be updated and refined, and safety and security issues will be further discussed with UN partners to ensure the continued protection of humanitarian workers and operations.
Public Relations: Luxembourg aims to increase the visibility of the IHP by updating the IHP leaflet and concept paper. The presidency will focus on renewing the IHP website, enhancing its social media presence, and boosting visibility at international meetings and exhibitions to attract new members and partners.
Training and Learning: A discussion will be initiated on the potential future format of the IHP TRIPLEX program, aimed at enhancing the skills of humanitarian experts. The presidency also plans to strengthen and formalize the after-action review process, ensuring the lessons learned from past missions are properly capitalized. Additionally, harmonizing basic training for IHP experts will be a key focus.
Membership and Partnership: Luxembourg’s presidency will reaffirm the commitment of current members and partners to the IHP. A potential enlargement of the partnership will also be explored, and new letters of intent will be signed with existing and prospective partners to further strengthen IHP’s network.
Tom Barnig and Gilles Hoffmann emphasized that these priorities are aimed at enhancing IHP’s effectiveness, reinforcing partnerships, and ensuring that the organization remains adaptable and responsive to the evolving needs of the humanitarian sector. The next 18 months will be a period of reflection, growth, and renewal as Luxembourg works to lead the IHP towards an even more impactful future.
This new chapter in the IHP’s leadership comes at a critical time for the humanitarian sector, and Luxembourg is poised to continue building on the foundation laid by its predecessors while driving the partnership forward.