The Saudi capital will host later this month the first International Humanitarian Forum under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, who will deliver a speech on the occasion. The forum, which will take place in Riyadh on Feb. 26-27, is organized by King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid (KSRELIEF), in cooperation with the United Nations. The two-day event will host representatives from different countries, including a number of civil societies and non-governmental organizations, and heads of international humanitarian agencies, the private sector, academics and specialized research groups. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Advisor to the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSRELIEF, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the forum would be the first of its kind in the Kingdom, and would seek to find solutions to improve international humanitarian work and boost the capacities and capabilities of aid providers. He added that participants would include the Russian Minister of Emergency Situations, the president of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), two ministers from Italy, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), in addition to senior official from the Gulf Cooperation Council. KSRELIEF said the participants will “review and adapt previous humanitarian initiatives to reflect the latest developments and realities in the field to better serve the victims of conflict, including refugees and others in need of urgent assistance.” Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Rabeeah said that the main areas the forum would cover include funding capacities for humanitarian work, innovation and reform in the humanitarian sector and localization of aid. “The Kingdom realizes the significance of its role in alleviating human suffering and ensuring that all people are given the opportunity to live healthy, dignified lives,” he stated, adding that the forum was an unprecedented opportunity to drive meaningful, relevant and practical change in humanitarian work.