In 2015, 82.5 million people in 37 countries relied on humanitarian aid (UN OCHA). This number, once again, stretched the global humanitarian system to its limits. Already in 2012, the UN Secretary-General convened the first World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) in Istanbul on 23-24 May 2016. The aim is to achieve an international consensus on strengthening humanitarian principles as well as on a Grand Bargain for closing the humanitarian financing gap. In our Global Governance Spotlight 2|2016, Professor Heintze describes and assesses the extensive consultations ahead of the Summit and the reports by the UN Secretary-General and the High-Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing to the WHS. He concludes with an outlook on the potential contribution of the EU to the Summit - as one of the largest humanitarian aid donor with a wealth of operational experience.