On the evening of March 13, 2025, the Institute of International and Strategic Studies (IISS), Peking University (PKU) successfully hosted lecture series under the 84th "North Pavilion Seminar". David Miliband, former UK Foreign Secretary and President and current CEO of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), was invited as a keynote speaker. He delivered a lecture, titled "Focusing on Global Hotspots: Effort for Humanitarian Action" and interacted with the audience by drawing on his extensive experience in politics and non-governmental organizations (NGO). The lecture was moderated by Prof. Yu Tiejun, President of the IISS, PKU.

Mr. Miliband began by analyzing three major trends shaping contemporary global politics: the globalization of local risks, the acceleration of technological innovation, and the decentralization of global political power. He emphasized that in this context, humanitarian aid action is more urgent than ever before. He then identified four major imbalances causing humanitarian crises worldwide, based on the IRC's latest "Emergency Watchlist": the prioritization of military force over diplomacy, the internationalization of conflicts leading to civilian casualties, climate injustice, and widening wealth inequality.

Mr. Miliband further outlined four major challenges facing humanitarian action: funding shortfalls, obstacles to aid delivery, inadequate protection of women and children’s rights, and the inequitable distribution of global responsibility. To overcome these challenges, he put forward four recommendations: establishing clear common goals, practices based on scientific evidence, using new technologies to improve aid efficiency, and defining the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders within existing frameworks. He stressed that only through international cooperation can the global community effectively address humanitarian crises and contribute to a more peaceful and just world.

During the discussion session, Mr. Miliband exchanged insights with students and faculty on topics such as the role of NGOs, U.S.-China efforts in humanitarian aid, and the impact of trust crises on humanitarian actions.(Contributed by Shi Wenlv)

Editor: Li Fangqi Photographer: Zheng Huaizhou