DIHAD 2015,inspired by Dubai EXPO 2020

DUBAI- Inspired by Dubai EXPO 2020, DIHAD Conference & Exhibition sets the theme of its 12th edition occurring next March. There is no doubt that UAE has been increasingly positioning itself as a global hub for a variety of humanitarian support services and functions.

Against a backdrop of increasing humanitarian activities in and from the UAE, it seems only natural to use this energetic and strategic hub to stage DIHAD Conference & Exhibition annually in Dubai uniting relief agencies, NGOs, and donors.

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai, and supported by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Est., the United Nations, the UAE Red Crescent Authority, International Humanitarian City, Dubai Cares and the Organisation of Islamic Conference, DIHAD 2015 finds no better than Dubai’s EXPO 2020 theme, “Connecting minds, creating the future”, to contribute to the enhancement of international humanitarian and development assistance.

Amb. Gerhard J.W. Putman-Cramer, Director of DISAB, says: “Connecting minds, suggests effective leadership, a shared vision and consensus. Creating the future, suggests learning from the past and capitalising on the present in a constructive attempt to shape our tomorrows. It is on this account that DIHAD’s International Scientific Advisory Board (DISAB) has decided to adopt Dubai’s EXPO 2020 theme, and specifically its sub-themes “opportunity”, “mobility” and “sustainability”, as its own albeit from a humanitarian and development assistance perspective.”

DIHAD 2015 will endeavour to elaborate on these sub-themes with an eye to pro-actively seizing the “opportunity”, further developing various aspects of “mobility”, and contributing to the essential “sustainability” of past and present achievements.

DISAB Committee announced that the conference programme will consist of a half day devoted to each of the three sub-themes: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.

In addition, and this in lieu of a session devoted to a particular crisis or disaster, there will also be a half- day special session on “The Role of NGOs in the Provision of Humanitarian Assistance in Today’s most difficult Crisis Environments”.

Amb. Gerhard continued on saying: “Opportunity is to be found everywhere, every day, and yet we have to identify and capture it. We have to seize opportunities to diminish the need for humanitarian assistance. In regards to mobility in humanitarian operations, we need access to those in need of assistance and the mobility to reach all of them, quickly and effectively. Sustainability is what we wish for our collective achievements, for our objectives and our goals. Much will be said and written in 2015, in various fora, on the sustainability of development objectives as we collectively continue to “create the future”, endeavoring to productively “connect the minds” of all concerned in this regard.”

From his side, Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Executive Chairman of DIHAD Conference and Exhibition said:“DIHAD was founded twelve years ago in the hope that it would assist the transformation toward a global aid community that is more culturally and politically inclusive, and to encourage dialogue and sharing best practices across regions. Therefore, the United Arab Emirates is always keen to play an active role in this field while following the directives of HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and the support of His Highnesses Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. We thrive to enhance the exhilarating efforts of the UAE to support the humanitarian field and sustain our social and moral responsibilities towards the misfortunate people in the world.”

Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani added: “The DIHAD conference and exhibition promotes discussion in order to find best methods and solutions through constructive interaction between specialized humanitarian bodies. The DIHAD conference and exhibition also encourages partnerships between humanitarian and development associations, while exhibitors at the DIHAD exhibition display their latest humanitarian products and offer direct supply by suppliers. Over the past ten years, DIHAD has become the largest humanitarian and development event in the Middle East and North Africa.”

DIHAD 2015 thrives to revolutionize humanitarian efforts through important partnerships and fruitful discussions in an attempt to arrive to a number of constructive conclusions. DIHAD Conference & Exhibition being recognized as the leading humanitarian event in the region, is attended by key decision makers, procurement and logistics officials from leading international, regional & local NGOs, UN Agencies, Governmental Departments and international associations, to make valuable contributions to the ongoing global discussions on development goals, climate change, disaster reduction, and best practices in the realm of humanitarian assistance.

DIHAD 2015 will be will be held from 24 – 26 March 2015 in Dubai World Trade Center, aiming for a big initiative in humanitarian relief and development activities, working on coordinating the stances and joint programs in order to alleviate the suffering caused by natural disasters, conflicts and wars.