Welcome to the second day of our European Humanitarian Forum. It is an honor to be surrounded by so many committed humanitarians. Today we meet at a challenging time for our community and the world. More nationalist, more transactional, more opportunistic. And lets be honest, less generous. Someone recently described the future as dark and ominous, like a threatening storm.

But when I speak to many of you, I dont hear that. I dont feel that. I hear your ideas and I feel your energy and determination. I see a united community driven by conviction, solidarity, and humanity, not deterred, no matter the challenges ahead, ready to meet this moment with action.

I recently returned from Chad, a nation grappling with the consequences of war in neighboring Sudan that has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and where famine has been declared. I saw displacement and victims of gender-based violence and malnourished babies struggling for their next breath. I watched as aid workers used MUAC tape to measure the malnutrition levels of children.

It was heartbreaking.

But I also saw people hanging on, courageous, determined to make it through one more day and aid workers arriving early and going home late, driven to feed one more child. These faces stay with me to this day.

I also visited Ukraine, Syria, and Bangladesh, where I met families torn apart by war, children whose only school is an underground shelter, communities rebuilding after the bombs. Each mother, father, daughter, and son reminded me that our work is not about tackling a vast ocean of need. It is about providing one loaf of bread, one cup of water, rebuilding one school, one hospital. And doing it again and again, for as many people as we can, in as many places as we can. Most importantly, it is about saving lives, one life at a time, and doing it again and again.

Fragility has also skyrocketed across the world. We see it in Sudan, Syria, Myanmar, and many other countries. War, political instability, climate change, and economic shocks are making it worse. These crises are not isolated. They are interconnected and form a complex web of vulnerability that demands a comprehensive response.

In the EU, we are determined to tackle this and to develop a comprehensive and integrated EU approach to fragility across the world. Humanitarian action, development cooperation, and peacebuilding are mutually reinforcing. Deploying just one of these tools alone cannot bring lasting solutions.

By addressing the root causes of conflict and vulnerability with all our available tools in synergy – humanitarian, development, and diplomatic – we can build more resilient communities and prevent future crises. If we do it right, we can transform fragile states into stable and prosperous allies. Take South Korea, it was once an aid recipient. Now it is an economic powerhouse, a strategic partner, and an emerging donor of aid. This must be replicated.

When our values are tested, that is when we find out who we truly are, and what we truly believe. The EU is, and will continue to be, a leading humanitarian partner. We have shown this time and again, from our rapid response to natural disasters to our sustained support for protracted crises.  

In a world that too often asks, “Whats in it for me?” we are driven by a simple conviction: every life matters. Every life must be protected, and the only way to achieve this is through cooperation and solidarity.

Economic power matters. But I believe our true power comes from how we treat our fellow human beings and how we treat other nations, especially in their hour of need. What makes us truly strong is not only what we have, but what we give. It is our willingness to extend a hand to those less fortunate than ourselves.

We cannot stick our heads in the sand. The humanitarian landscape is changing. The United States, long a pillar of international assistance, has decided to cut many of its aid programs. This will lead to the suffering of millions, worsening humanitarian crises and increasing instability. It also directly impacts our own security, increasing risks such as radicalization, terrorism, displacement, illegal migration, and human trafficking.

The European Union is taking a different path. We are stepping up our humanitarian commitment. This year we have increased our initial humanitarian aid budget to €1.9 billion, and we recently agreed to a €350 million top up. As Team Europe, we are becoming the worlds leading humanitarian donor. Just last March, at the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris, Team Europe pledged €6.5 billion until 2029 to fight global malnutrition.

However, the EU and its Member States alone cannot – and should not – fill the gap. Everyone in the international community must shoulder their responsibility proportionate to their economic standing.

We must also strengthen our humanitarian diplomacy to rally support for humanitarian principles by engaging with all stakeholders – governments, civil society, and affected communities. Humanitarian diplomacy is not about political compromise. It is about protecting the space for principled humanitarian action. That means access, protection, and respect for international humanitarian law. We will not stop repeating it: humanitarian principles are not negotiable.

Collective action – that is the only way to tackle todays severe and widespread humanitarian crises. The humanitarian system – overstretched and underfunded – is struggling to deliver lifesaving aid in emergencies. It faces serious questions about its financial and structural sustainability. We can do better.

We need to reform the humanitarian system to make it more efficient and effective for those who count on us. That is why this European Humanitarian Forum matters. It is a space to share ideas, ask tough questions, and work together to find solutions. But what will not change is our commitment to humanitarian principles, global solidarity, and multilateralism.

The multilateral system may not be perfect, but it is the only way to guarantee peace, security, and prosperity. The EU is strongly committed to helping reshape, improve, and strengthen it. We will remain a strong supporter of the global multilateral humanitarian system, with the UN at its core.

I believe Europe has a special role to play at this moment of great change. We have the resources, the expertise, and the political will to help build a more effective humanitarian system. But we cannot do it alone. We need everyone on board – our partners here in Europe and beyond – to help create a better humanitarian blueprint for the future. That is why we are strengthening our existing partnerships and looking to build new ones. Countries that we assist today can grow into our partners of tomorrow.

We will also work more closely with local partners, invest in innovative solutions that address the root causes of vulnerability, and use new technology to be more efficient and effective.

Today the world may seem bleak. But this Humanitarian Forum – and our humanitarian community – is a powerful force of light against this darkness. A force for more humanity, more compassion, and more solidarity with our fellow human beings. When we extend a hand to someone in need, it leaves a spark of hope, and we should never underestimate that. I have seen again and again peoples gratitude for our European solidarity. In Gaziantep, Türkiye, for instance, two years after the earthquake, people still remember our support.

For all these reasons, I am proud to work by your side for a world that believes in treating others with respect and dignity. Our mission is right. Lets never forget, we have millions of allies out there. You can count on me, and you can count on the European Union.