Continuous engagement in peace processes that would enable permanent conflict resolution is necessary, Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov said at the opening of the UN's World Humanitarian Summit taking place in Istanbul on Monday.
Macedonia is prepared to be engaged in all the peace building efforts in the world, he added.
"The goal of the humanitarian agenda is to put an end to the suffering that millions of people are faced with. Macedonia strongly supports this agenda and calls for a courageous political leadership," Ivanov said.
The president pointed that the conflicts are spread and deepened faster than they could be solved or removed.
"Most often we have a belated diagnosis with reactionary, instead of preventive measures, with short-term and painful decisions, instead of long-term and less painful solutions. Because of this, we need a new approach on prevention and peaceful solutions," Ivanov explained.
According to the Macedonian leader, timely, coherent and decisive political leadership, which would deal with the causes, instead of the crises' consequences is necessary.
In his address, Ivanov welcomed the decision of the United Nations to organize the World Humanitarian Summit, but also Turkey, for hosting the conference.
The president said furthermore that Macedonia, as an EU candidate country, is joining the statement and the 28-member bloc's positions, in line with which, finding political solutions for current conflicts is mandatory, as well as tackling the dramatic disrespect of international humanitarian law, the establishment of a donor fund for aiding those most affected by the conflicts, and using these funds in a more rational manner.
Around 5,000 participants attend the World Humanitarian Summit that is taking place in Istanbul on Monday and Tuesday, including presidents of states and governments of some 60 countries, leaders of crisis-struck regions, heads of international organizations, private business sector representatives, as well as members of the civil sector. UN Chief Ban Ki-moon, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the presidents of Turkey, Croatia, Albania, Montenegro, Ukraine are among the summit's attendees, which also include the prime ministers of Greece, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Poland.
The summit's participants will commit to taking initiatives and actions in terms of the support for the UN Agenda for Humanity, in order to enable easier handling and overcoming of crisis situations across the world.
Besides with the host, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, President Ivanov will hold formal and informal meetings with several world leaders, while he is also expected to address the event's plenary session.
At the special session dedicated to women and children in the conflict-hit regions, the Macedonian first lady, Maja Ivanova, will also address the World Humanitarian Congress.