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Hasher bin Maktoum inaugurates the 18th edition of DIHAD

14 Mar, 2022

- Annual humanitarian event brings together key decision-makers to discuss the most pressing humanitarian issues around the world
- DIHAD is expected to bring together more than 6,000 visitors from more than 84 countries and international non-profit organisations
- Over 600 NGOs, humanitarian associations, companies, and suppliers of leading international brands take part in event
- Event is being held from 14 – 16 March 2022 at the Dubai World Trade Centre

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Director General of the Dubai Department of Information, officially inaugurated the 18th edition of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development – DIHAD Conference and Exhibition today.

DIHAD is an annual humanitarian event that brings together key decision-makers to discuss the most pressing humanitarian issues around the world and adopt decisions that guide cooperative humanitarian actions in the future. The event is taking place from 14 – 16 March 2022 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

His Highness was accompanied at the opening event by His Excellency Dr. Hamad Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani, Director General, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), Dubai; His Excellency Gennaro Migliore, President, Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM); His Excellency Ambassador Gerhard Putman-Cramer, CEO, DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian Foundation; Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Chairman of DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian Foundation, Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), Roving Ambassador for the GCC; and Mohammad Ahmed Al Yammahi, Director of the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent Authority in Dubai.

The opening ceremony began with a speech by His Excellency Dr. Hamad Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani, in which he thanked the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai for its participation in DIHAD. His Excellency said: “The event is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, a pioneer in humanitarian work who has extended unlimited resources for our development and provided opportunities for various humanitarian institutions to work towards achieving their noble missions in the UAE.”

His Excellency added: "The repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic have affected individuals, communities, institutions, and countries. The UAE has leveraged all its capabilities to alleviate the suffering of individuals and mitigate the challenges faced by institutions and government units, within the country and outside it as well, which shows the level of commitment the country has towards humanitarian causes and using resources efficiently for humanitarian purposes.”

Mohammad Ahmed Al Yammahi, Director of the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent Authority in Dubai, stated: "DIHAD is a unique opportunity to promote humanitarian work in various fields and shape a new future vision for joint relief and development efforts in line with the humanitarian philosophy of the UAE. The country’s pioneering leadership has worked to support various humanitarian issues around the world and often intervened rapidly to resolve critical challenges."

The 18th edition was launched with the participation of more than 600 NGOs, humanitarian associations, companies, and suppliers of leading international brands from all over the world. The DIHAD conference features 50 international humanitarian speakers participating in eight main sessions and 16 workshops presented by the United Nations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and other multiple private organisations as well. DIHAD is expected to attract more than 6,000 visitors from more than 84 countries and international non-profit organisations.

Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Chairman of DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian Foundation, Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) and Roving Ambassador for the GCC, stated: “Our meeting here in Dubai during the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development Conference and Exhibition - DIHAD, reflects the confidence of the international community in the UAE and its global humanitarian efforts across the world. We believe there are no limits to enhancing joint humanitarian action to bridge the global deficit in humanitarian aid by improving the efficiency of charitable work. By bringing together experts in the field from across the world, DIHAD promises to generate new ideas and insights for enhancing global humanitarian work.”

Ambassador Gerhard Putman-Cramer, CEO of the DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian Foundation, stated: “Our meeting today under the DIHAD umbrella is very important in strengthening the process of humanitarian aid and relief - regionally and internationally. It will help create a new positive shift in enhancing joint efforts to improve work mechanisms and coordinate humanitarian programmes and initiatives to address issues that challenge communities and hamper their ability to meet basic needs.”

The first day of the DIHAD Conference and Exhibition witnessed the signing of many MoU’s, one of which was between the DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian Foundation and the WATANI AL EMARAT Foundation. The MoU creates a framework for both organisations to exchange experiences and expertise and hold joint meetings and seminars to advance national knowledge and capabilities in the humanitarian field.

On its first day, the DIHAD Conference and Exhibition discussed several issues related to sustainable development, charity services, Zero Hunger and Climate Action that form part of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The session on UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 – Zero Hunger, was headlined by an expert panel that included, Rein Paulsen, Director of the Office of Emergencies and Resilience at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); Her Excellency Eynat Shlein, Head of MASHAV and Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel; David Kaatrud, Director for the Humanitarian and Development Programme of the World Food Programme, Rome; and Sara Al Nuaimi, Director of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. The session touched on the use of science and technology in combating hunger and malnutrition while emphasizing the need to improve food security and safety.

The session on UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 – Climate Action, discussed various ways to meet the needs of developing countries and expand the scope of measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Participating in the panel discussion were His Excellency Ovais Sarmad, Assistant Secretary-General, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat, Bonn; Jacob Waslander, Netherlands Envoy to the Middle East and North Africa for Water, Energy and Food; Caroline Dumas, the Director General’s Special Envoy for Migration and Climate Action at the International Organization for Migration, Geneva; and Abdul Haq Amiri, Section Chief for the MENA region, UN OCHA Geneva.

The DIHAD Exhibition and Conference is organised annually by INDEX Conference and Exhibitions Organization Est., - a member of INDEX Holding and is proudly supported by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the Dubai Future Council on Humanitarian Aid, the Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, the UAE Red Crescent Authority, the United Nations, and International Humanitarian City.

DIHAD is also supported by the Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), Dubai; Muslim World League; MASHAV, Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Dawsongroup Temperature Control Solutions, and Life for Relief and Development, USA.

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