- strengthen mutual understanding among humanitarian actors on matters of policy and practice;

- broaden common understanding of an effective and complementary humanitarian system, based on shared humanitarian principles, and build support for a multilateral approach from all humanitarian actors, creating new partnerships to enhance global effectiveness as well as respecting the diversity of different approaches;

- encourage more active collaboration in international humanitarian response; and

- encourage increased financial and other contributions to ensure the humanitarian community is able to respond promptly and effectively to humanitarian needs.