On 23–24 May, the UN will convene a World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) in Istanbul, Turkey. The first of its kind, the purpose of the WHS is to secure commitments from governments, aid agencies and civil society organisations to deliver more effective humanitarian assistance for the 125 million people living in crisis around the world. 

This briefing provides an overview of the key issues on the Summit’s agenda, what it should deliver and the likely outcomes of the discussions.

It also examines what's missing from the agenda and what that means for the Summit's ambition of delivering on preventing and ending conflict; ensuring respect for the rules of war; leaving no one behind, working differently to end need and investing humanity.