Day 1: 29 April 2025

OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE

In his introduction to the Conference, Mr. Tariq AlMadani, Master of Ceremony, pointed out that the DIHAD Conference and Exhibition are being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), by her presence inaugurated the 21st Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference & Exhibition.

The Conference with the theme of “Humanitarian Aid and Development in a Polarised World” addressed a shared purpose of humanitarian aid and sustainable development with a focus on displacement and victims of conflict. Switzerland was invited as a special guest country in view of its international humanitarian initiatives.

A video “Story of humanity” focused on humanitarian diplomacy about societies and people, in a more than ever polarised world where kindness still exists. DIHAD is a global movement with humanitarianism as its purpose. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) displays compassion and leadership in its shared vision of humanitarian action in the years to come. (Attachment)

In his keynote address, H.E. Ahmed Bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates, pointed at the current challenges with defining crossroads, declining funding and an increasing number of aid fatalities. Current figures for victims and despair indicate a moment as a summons for action and compassion, drawing strength from vision and values, inspired by the legacy of the leader Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan that humanitarian aid is not an act of charity but an act of humanity. New and complex challenges are being faced through action and commitment to a future of compassion. The legacy has led to global humanitarian efforts ranging from hospitals in Gaza, Sudan and efforts in Myanmar.

Challenges are immense, but so are our capacities for resilience and compassion. The division between humanitarian and development must be overcome. Long term resilience and immediate support need to be pursued hand in hand with locally led responses. As communities are experts in their own right, we need to move beyond simply transferring resources but also power. Localisation is the very foundation of future action, with also the private sector playing a leading role to drive transformative change.

The DIHAD Conference is about daring to build more inclusive partnerships with empowering systems to also bring renewal, architects of humanity as agents of hope. True leadership is measured by the lives we touch and the future at which we aim, believing in dignity and potential of every human being. (Attachment)

During the ceremony, the DIHAD International Personality Award for Humanitarian Relief 2025 was handed by H.E. Amb. Dr. Abdulsalam AlMadani, Chairman of DIHAD

Sustainable Humanitarian Organisation and of DISAB, to H.E. Ms Kate Forbes, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) for her inspiring humanitarian leadership. In her acceptance words she appreciated to be awarded for something in which she believes so endlessly, hoping all people will have a place to sleep and a meal to eat, people for whom we try to make life a bit better.

H.E.  Mr. Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director-General, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), welcomed all to opening of the DIHAD Conference, a global platform for decision-makers, humanitarian organisations and experts, aiming to enhance joint humanitarian action and solutions to the challenges affecting communities globally. It is a reflection of the vision of the leadership to hold the event in  Dubai – a city of tolerance and humanity –  and stressing the UAE role in supporting regional and global humanitarian and development initiatives with humanity at the centre, for which the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan laid the foundation. The vision of its leadership aims to make the UAE, and Dubai in particular, a global capital for humanitarian and charitable work. The role of individuals who, through their initiatives and volunteering, prove that giving is not an exceptional act but the essence.

IACAD always strives to enhance cooperation with international and strategic partners and embody the principles of compassion, solidarity, and sustainability. It has developed a number of projects and initiatives that served more than 60,000 beneficiaries during 2024, with a value exceeding AED 71 million. The DIHAD event provided opportunities for an exchange of experiences, activating partnerships and contributing to a more responsive humanitarian system in this time of rapidly evolving challenges.

He wished all good discussions leading to initiatives contributing to building a more just and compassionate world. (attachments)

H.E. Ahmed Sari Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General, Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), stressed that humanitarian action is a key role of the ERC, with a budget of USD 156 million to assist 134 million people around the world with development and humanitarian aid projects for water, health and education. ERC is keen to be a leader in good initiatives for improved life quality. He expressed the hope for the Conference to conclude with improved visions for enhanced international operations to reflect human fraternity and achieve noble purposes of the distinguished audience. (attachment)

H.E. Ms. Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General of Operations, International Organization for Migration – IOM, UN Migration, in her inspiring introduction stated that DIHAD has become a key event for the humanitarian and development community. The world seems more frightening than ever with violence, natural disasters, climate change and further economic crises, with more migrants dying or missing on migration routes. The gap is growing with politicisation of aid a key reason with unprecedented numbers of direct attacks on aid workers needing urgent action.

While the humanitarian landscape has always successfully adapted to challenges, despite two world wars, the recent globalisation of humanitarian crises and extremism has undergone new heights. Responses to major crises and the broken system show gaps in needs and responses. The Syrian war and following Humanitarian Summit’s decisions for localisation have not led to better responses, despite good initiatives such as the Emergency Relief Coordinator’s Humanitarian Reset, calling for a radical overhaul of the system, smaller and more locally led. IOM is actively engaged in these initiatives, to do more with less, as effectively as possible, with institutional and financing key priority and well-coordinated efforts.

Displacement shows that local natural disasters and political crises are less separated.

Agility, flexibility and UN initiatives built on years of experience are needed to build for robust development response, including protection to move towards transition; better targeted investments with longer term solutions with sustained development financing, focused on SDGs with better integrated protection with more effective integration.

Questions include how to reprioritise work to the scope of initiatives; how to cast a wider net to engage with a wider range of populations; and how to engage the private sector to serve as accelerator of response.

Despite the threat to the humanitarian world, we must continue working together to stay relevant as long as the desire to serve can be upheld. (Attachment)

H.E. Ms. Kate Forbes, President, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) appreciated the unique space offered by the venue for humanitarian minds, policy makers and developers together to reflect and act for a polarising conflicted world. She referred to the story of hope and humanity with profound challenges and humanitarian needs with conflicts and climate change interacting in a  speed never seen before. Shrinking humanitarian space with politicised aid and humanitarian principles,  challenges and opportunities with proliferation of armed conflicts with deeply human tragedies where rules are meant to protect, while women and children are always paying the highest price. Polarisations are often manipulations where humanitarian workers urgently need protection, which is a test of shared humanity and moral values, while humanitarian values must remain principled.

This year sees the 60th anniversary of the Principles of the Red Cross movement which were built on the battlefield but are challenged often from within, they are not static but intended to provide guidance in complicated situations. Neutrality does not mean indifference, independence is not isolation, and impartiality is not silence.  We need to adapt them to changing crises to ensure that all understand these values and feel respected in the response process. IFRC is active in 191 countries with 16 million volunteer workers, often longterm involved.

As humanitarian financing is no longer fit for purpose, the private sector needs to step in next to the traditional donor governments; they must be inspired by longterm needs and keep into account the Islamic financing models which are more participatory, protracted and more strategic in solutions, recognising new actors. They are to be globally principled and locally approved. Often systems respond to local and regional needs simultaneously.

Climate must not be addressed separately but be incorporated in any humanitarian action. While population movements are unprecedented due to lack of hope, migration must be managed and part of humanitarian experience. Migrants’ rights must be protected and not be criminalised.

It is a time of transformation, calling for more engagement and relevant with conviction, and leadership. The future of humanitarian aid and development will lie in the choices made with trust. DIHAD 2025 can be a moment of strength with trust in restored humanity. (Attachment)

Eng. Khaled Al Attar, Director General of the DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian Organisation, introduced the ‘DIHAD 2044’ agenda with pillars of Sustainability, Empowerment, Partnership, Education, and Innovation. It reflects the DIHAD commitment to shaping a future of humanitarian aid, development, and relief for the next 20 years, strengthening its position as the world’s leading annual event in this field, gathering 500,000 professionals globally by 2044. He stated that about half of DIHAD initiatives are delivered together with local actors in pursuit of localisation and empowerment of communities on the ground to build a more sustainable and inclusive humanitarian future. (Attachment)

H.E. Amb. Gerhard Putman-Cramer, CEO, DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian Foundation, summarised the main parts of the Conference sessions and Special sessions, inviting all for their active participation.

In a fireside chat, Dr. Mukesh Kapila had an interesting discussion with H.E. Amb. Patricia Danzi, Director-General, Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC). Switzerland and SDC are a solid brand, reliable in its long-term aid programmes. It has a good platform in Geneva. Her background with ICRC brought the discussion to the humanitarian principles, in which she stressed the need to adjust their interpretation to different conditions. Her motivation to this field has grown throughout her youth when she learned to be pushing policies and adjust vision to changing demands. As an earlier Olympic athlete representing Switzerland, she learned that displaying excellence through competition can also be applicable to the world of compassion and empathy. Her academic background is in agriculture and thus she is not a traditional donor.

Her advice to donors in the new bureaucracy and world with short term visions of several donor countries such as the United States is to remain engaged and strengthen the available resources. Asked whether enough attention is given to culture by aid donors, she stressed that humanitarian aid will still be needed in case of disasters while governments and more private sector partnerships will need to be created to respond. Her advice to next generations is to be curious and use available tools and read history books to avoid a repeat of what has happened.

SESSION 1: Conflict and the Evolution of Humanitarian Principles

Panel:

Dr. Mukesh Kapila, Professor Emeritus, Global Health & Humanitarian Affairs, University of Manchester; Former Under Secretary-General, IFRC – Chair, stressed that the human cost of major crises is almost identical, where humanitarians persist to overcome the challenge to do more with less. The humanitarian idea is resting on a framework of humanitarian principles which is a myth that all people are equal and that human survival is based on hardware and conditioned by selfishness and the expectation of an award. It is also based on human selflessness, challenging the humanitarian principles of impartiality and accountability, so it may be better to be less utopian as humans have a basic thrust of selfishness. The principle of impartiality based on need does not encourage the response based on a cause as reason for action to respond. Neutrality is misunderstood when seen as an aspect of evil and as utilitarian concern.

So, one size fits all principle does not indicate respect for the cause for action.

Independence is the 4th principle and does not consider the motivation or public perception of operation, it creates dependence and will risk free loading on beneficiaries. Reinterpretation of the principles is needed to work towards a new humanitarianism that does not resist to relieve suffering despite multiplying needs. (Attachment)

Mr. Rami Adwan, Head of Arab Relations, UNRWA, focused on the selective application of humanitarian principles over the years between the two sides of strong and weak. Regarding Gaza, since the start of the war UNRWA has lost 290 colleagues who were intended to be protected or defended by the principles. UNRWA stepped up its activities to cover also the wider population who were not refugees. The majority of those killed are not militants but innocent children, while Israel blocks foreign aid and water. Testimonies show a cry from the hungry, lack of medication or water, and lack of education despite efforts to maintain a sense of normalcy. There is a lack of accountability to the international community by the occupying forces and members of government. While humanitarian principles may be utopian, they are being tested manifold also in other crises besides Gaza and the West Bank.  The world is now in a formative form of history with isolationism and break of accepted rules of agencies which were created out of the horror of WW-II, having to do more with less, protect humanitarian principles despite the very known distinctions, and with the globalisation of indifference. The search for a renewed world of hope is intensifying.

Ms. Eva Svoboda, ICRC, looked at the humanitarian principles (HP) from a different angle, down to earth and not utopian. Even while they are challenged, this is not the time to throw them out but rather to adjust their interpretation and application. Help should be given impartially as all humans are born equal, humanitarian workers are supposed to be impartial. Neutrality and impartiality are questioned by the notion that some people are more deserving than others, while creating a false morale between victim and aggressor. HP are meant to cover the space in a challenging environment. The ICRC was working in around 120 armed conflicts at the end of 2024, with urban warfare having immediate and long-term widespread consequences, reduced livelihood and spread diseases. Conflict insider space and digitalisation of conflict must be regulated as challenges to International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The permissive attitude towards the legal framework is counterproductive. The dogmatic application of HP is rather an adjusted operationalising application based on the details of the surroundings.

Major General M. Cowan, CEO, The HALO Trust, reflected on the previous presentations of utopian vs adjusted application of HP. The world since WW-II is only a flash in the pan in world history, while the current time could be a return to normalcy it brings with uncontained conflicts and prolonged violence.  The lowest number of casualties were in 2005, but they are increasing rapidly. It is not as easy to reason expose as is violence, despite new elements of diplomacy and development. ODA was aimed at improving lives for those in need which is now a fractured consensus, creating a dependency culture. The question is whether aid should be moved to the affected communities and integrated.

HALO Trust works in 34 countries, basing its work on an empirical approach with HP as a guiderail. It is not always possible to serve based on impartiality as was the case in Ngorongoro, while in Afghanistan the dilemma was to stay and not leave with the exodus of 2021 because the needs continued. In Ukraine in the Donbas in 2015 the agency was overrun by the Russian invasion; since then, it expanded its staff but found it not possible to strictly stay within the principles and worked with other actors.

Comments from the floor:

Is it possible to ensure governments will stand up to the HP as a state policy and responsibility? From governments’ side they are stakeholders and have shared responsibility also with the private sector and aid agencies who should acknowledge their failures.

It is essential to reflect how the HP can still be relevant and not to be nostalgic. Advocacy on the effectiveness of the HP is not useless and can be valuable.

What is the interconnection between the SDGs and the humanitarian actions? Despite the academic rhetoric on the big gap between humanitarian aid and development organisations, the distinction is less existent in operational context. Humanitarianism is a state of mind as is development one of development state of mind.

How can HP guide aid when agencies take sides in the conflict? Humanitarian agencies come as witnesses of violent action rather than participation in such acts. Accusations against UNRWA that some of its staff were involved with the Hamas attackers, of which no proof has been given. Neither of incidents of involvement in terrorist attacks are based.

How can peacekeeping continue to be funded? Currently it is not possible to address this in a humanitarian silo.

Regarding a position of neutrality, at what point does it make an organisation refer from speaking out in cases of violence? In case an actor is prevented from access it is difficult to provide to all on the basis of need.

Faith based in time of conflict? Their viewpoints should be inclusive and enable different voices to be heard, including gender sensitive perspectives.

The Chair referred to cases where secular humanitarianism is an insult as there are many ways of doing good and this should in no way be impeded. There is a legal interpretation of neutrality which is not being understood in the wider world. Immunity should be given to all serving.

SESSION 2: The changing landscape of financing

Panel:

Mr. Claus Sorensen, Senior Adviser on Resilience, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Norwegian Refugee Council; Former Under Secretary-General, IFRC – Chair,

stated that the financial picture in 2025 indicates a substantial threat. The figures presented show how the budget cuts have led the humanitarian community to wake up and see what a halt to the US foreign aid budget and the cuts by other western donors will mean to overall financing. Innovative finance could entail a leverage of three times. To compensate USD 14 billion, some 15% of all humanitarian financing should have to be innovative, to be set by agencies as a benchmark. It may seem primitive but by putting it this simply it might work by getting access to systems, with political will. New sources of finance may include other government donors, including e.g. Malaysia and China, other forms like Zakat, or forms of grants, loans and equity. He insisted that benchmarks are to be set for a target to reach. (Attachment)

H.E. Nena Stoiljkovic, Under Secretary-General for Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitilisation, IFRC, mentioned that blended financing is a great challenge, particularly as ODA is shrinking; the private sector has to step in and become more predictable, blending in with the public sector. Multi-year programming may be more suitable, for which IFRC receives funding from an insurance company in Switzerland as a model for growth, which took 2.5 years to prepare as a model for multiplication of ODA. Inside the Organisation it took quite some convincing to buy and immediately use the insurance to ultimately save lives, requiring to show years of data and overcome moral dilemmas. It is a commercially viable structure with a renewable and replicable structure, and it entails a marketable financing structure.

Mr. Mamadou Biteye, Executive Secretary, The African Capacity Building Foundation, Zimbabwe, works with several development banks and UNDP to support Africa’s development and human capacity building and using innovative financing. With his experience with the Rockefeller Foundation, he believes the current trend is not going to improve in the coming years; therefore, actors should be more active by moving to resilience building. It is becoming extremely important to invest before humanitarian crises occur. The biggest source of funding for the Foundation is from private donors, e.g. with bonds for resilience allowing to prevent hazards. Such humanitarian resilience bonds are also used for building refugee support systems. Insurance for states such as the Africa Risk Capacity Foundation with 36 countries to insure against drought using water base territory and allowing for first response and relief to affected population. More domestic resource mobilisation is essential, involving digitalisation, with taxation for income. New opportunities exist that require more sophistication to be tapped.

Mr. AbdulHakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, FAO, represents a very diversified region, including well-developed countries in the Gulf and MeNA. Striving to achieve SDG-2 , the region is continuing to get off-track for food security. Innovative financing exists with models for natural disasters being better developed than those addressing conflicts or other man-made crises. A ratio of 1 to 4 with up to 15% mark-up on loans without additional costs is effective. Grant resources allow for buy-down of mark-up costs of loans at no cost. Conditions do not include borrowing money for social development such as education as immediate results want to be seen as given in infrastructure. The range is from early recovery to total reconstruction to achieve results from donor government support.

Since only USD 250 billion for SDGs is available with banks, other funding has to come from the private sector and donations. Access to borrowing from the World Bank, e.g. by Syria, with limited shortfalls is prohibiting access to large loans. Climate and conflict insurances involve out-of-the box and creative thinking as now being forced by the halt to generous US and western countries’ support. The global financing maps will show a considerable amount of innovative financing resources as well as better utilisation of available food production.

A brief discussion looked at the Nexus with a range of 1 to 6 (examples Syria or Yemen)

in appropriate development vs humanitarian support when in a streamlined approach with long-term outcome and resilience and continued peace building. The global monitoring system for break-outs of desert locust is being run at low cost and not funded by the governments that will be affected. Better data is essential to document that a project is worthwhile investing, in particular at local community level, but is a considerable challenge. Compartmentalisation by donors needs to be reduced to allow for optimal output. Better resource mobilisation requires less separation between sectors, but also requires appropriate capacity to implement projects and available resource utilisation.

Comments from the floor:

Is optimisation of efficiency and resource utlisation being analysed? Internal structures for efficiency and addressing duplication are analysed by several fora to achieve better accountability and efficiency on the basis of a list of criteria that come at a cost also affected by weather and other indicators or risks. It is needed to also analyse whether local capacities exist for implementation, which entails that more funding consortia are needed. A paradigm shift is needed for donors on their funding priority setting.

Localising aid as well as capacity building for local levels is needed. What can be done to hold governments accountable to implementation of projects, which for the UN is complicated to track when funding is coming directly from donors to the local level.

Conclusion: we are faced by a tectonic shift, donors have to adjust.

Ms. Latifa AlQemzi, Director General of the DP World Foundation, explained that the Foundation focuses on activating what already exists. Localisation and globalisation do not have to entail a conflict but cooperation with local actors, standards and skills. “Global reach. Local relevance. One integrated approach.” The concept is not new but has not been used to its full extent with business units working in a wider plan for humanitarian work and as partners to field-based humanitarian projects.

It means a shift of mind set for multinationals to be implementing at local level. Most partnerships with local actors are partner based, aiming for local times from start part of the humanitarian strategy; operations are empowering and building relationships and not just transactions. The organisation is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) campaign and taking into account Grand Bargain 2.0.

The recommended approach is to connect and use what already exists and use digital tools to respond to local needs, using the local capacity and means, building bridges as partners and not just as providers. Listen to local voices. (Attachment)