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Princess Haya Inaugurates the 10th Edition of DIHAD Conference and Exhibition

DUBAI - Under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the tenth Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD) was inaugurated today by UN Messenger of Peace and Chairperson of the International Humanitarian City Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Princess Haya was accompanied by Ibrahim Bumelha, Cultural and Humanitarian Advisor of HH Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Est. and Chairman of the Higher Committee DIHAD, President of DISAB, Shaikha Lubna Al Qassimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, Ahmed Humaid Al Mazroui, Chairman of the UAE Red Crescent Authority, Antonio Guterres, High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as a number of local and international figures.

DIHAD adopted “Building Effective and Sustainable Partnerships in humanitarian Assistance and Development Activities” as the theme for its tenth edition. The conference will touch upon key issues related to improving partnerships within critical humanitarian and development issues. Moreover, the topics will also focus on involving partnerships in the food security and disaster response processes, in addition, the conference will highlight the progress that DIHAD achieved during the past ten years and will discuss the future plans for this highly important conference.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Princess Haya stated, “HH Shaikh Mohammed founded DIHAD in the hope that it would assist this transformation toward a global aid community that is more culturally and politically inclusive, and that encourages dialogue and sharing best practices across regions.”

“The diversity of donors raises important issues of international collaboration. How do we function as team members and partners?,” continued Princess Haya. “That, in essence, is the question we are here to address.”

In a speech delivered on behalf of Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s representative in the Western Region and Chief of the Red Crescent Authority, Al Mazroui said: “DIHAD has become an official platform for active initiatives which preserves human dignity, it is known globally as a milestone in the humanitarian and relief fields. Therefore, the United Arab Emirates is always keen to play an active role in this field while following the directives of His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and the support of His Highnesses Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai and General Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. 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.”

He added: “the tenth edition of DIHAD is so special in terms of the topics that are featured in the conference program. This year there is a focus on building sustainable partnerships between our organizations that shall take into account the requirements of international humanitarian arena, while giving priority to achieving the desired human development in line with the major challenges facing humanitarian organizations. Those challenges are the outcome of the disasters, crisis and the increase of poverty, hunger and the spread of disease all over the world. We have no doubt that those challenges had affected a large segment of the population; therefore, I am requesting from organizations and associations to unify their efforts and work hand in hand for a better future for humanitarian work and a decent life for the victims of conflicts and disasters around the world.”

In his speech, Ibrahim Bumelha stated that: “today we are celebrating the tenth anniversary of DIHAD Conference and Exhibition which successfully managed for the past ten years to gather the most prominent international organizations and agencies specialized in the humanitarian field under one roof to work together and support the communities and provide all types of logistical and technical assistance necessary.”

He also added: “A lot of organizations right now support their subsidiaries and help them interact exclusively with the development of partnerships between individuals in addition to adopt restructuring based on the activation of strategic partnerships. I hope that DIHAD conference and exhibition achieves the desired goals through the sessions and private meetings that the event offers for three days along with the experts participating in those sessions whom are focusing in their sessions on the theme: “Building Effective and Sustainable Partnerships in humanitarian Assistance and Development Activities”.

“We are looking forward to achieve more strategic partnerships through DIHAD this year and encourage the participating originations to interact more effectively for a better humanitarian future and better security for the victims of crises and conflicts. I would also like to extend my gratitude to all of those who contributed to the success of this international and prestigious event and I would also like to thank the members of the scientific committee “DISAB” and I wish you all success and I will be looking forward to the recommendations that will benefit all countries of the world,” He concluded.

In his speech, Antonio Guterres, High Commissioner for Refugees, said, “In the ten years since its inception, DIHAD has become an event of global importance. None of the major humanitarian and development goals – be it to eliminate poverty, foster education and healthcare, rebuild communities destroyed by war, or help the victims of humanitarian crises – can be achieved in isolation.”

As part of the program, Princess Haya toured the exhibition, visiting the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, the UAE Red Crescent Society, the Tkiyet Umm Ali, the International Humanitarian City (IHC), Dubai Cares, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, and the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development, booths, to name just a few.

Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Executive Chairman of DIHAD Conference and Exhibition said: “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.”

Dr. Al Madani also said: “More than 275 exhibitors representing governmental and non-governmental organizations, charity organizations, healthcare sector, medical equipment suppliers and temporary hospitals are participating in the DIHAD exhibition this year. Moreover, there are around 50 speakers and specialists from the humanitarian and development field participating in DIHAD from 66 countries. We are expecting more than 7300 visitors and participants for this year.”

DIHAD is organized by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions - member of INDEX Holding and supported by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Est., the UN, the UAE Red Crescent Authority, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, International Humanitarian City, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai and Dubai Cares. DIHAD is also sponsored by Al Khair Foundation.

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