Global Humanitarian Leaders Look To Future Of Humanitarian Action In Dubai Ahead Of DIHAD 2026
Dubai hosted a series of high-level strategic meetings and dialogues, bringing together humanitarian leaders, experts, representatives of international organisations, and key stakeholders as part of preparations for the 22nd edition of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference & Exhibition (DIHAD 2026). The discussions focused on the most pressing humanitarian challenges and explored the future of humanitarian action.
These meetings come at a time when the global humanitarian system is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by:
- Multiple crises and conflicts
- Climate-related disasters
- Economic challenges
- Rising levels of displacement
- Widening funding gaps
- Growing challenges in reaching affected communities.
These developments further underscore the need to adopt modern approaches to coordination, financing, and aid delivery that can keep pace with changing realities and enhance the efficiency of humanitarian response.
As part of preparations for DIHAD 2026, the Executive Humanitarian Programme was launched today in collaboration between DIHAD Sustainable Organisation and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) UAE, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, under the theme:
"The Future of Humanitarian Action: Navigating Change and Fostering Resilience"
The programme provides a strategic platform bringing together senior leaders and decision-makers in the humanitarian sector to:
- Examine emerging humanitarian challenges
- Exchange perspectives and align viewpoints and priorities
- Contribute to the discussions leading up to DIHAD 2026
It also seeks to support the development of more effective approaches to addressing the rapid transformations taking place across the global humanitarian sector.
The Executive Humanitarian Programme examines:
- Structural shifts shaping the humanitarian system
- Growing global humanitarian pressures
- The evolving role of states and humanitarian diplomacy
- The impact of donor and partner policies on operational realities
- The growing role of the private sector, philanthropy, and innovation
The programme also explores the implications of artificial intelligence and data governance for humanitarian action, while examining opportunities to develop more proactive, inclusive, and sustainable approaches to humanitarian response.
Eng. Khaled Al Attar, Director General of DIHAD Sustainable Organisation, stated:
"Humanitarian action is at a pivotal moment, requiring us to move beyond traditional response models towards approaches that are more proactive, collaborative, and sustainable. Through these meetings, we reaffirm the importance of uniting efforts, strengthening cross-border partnerships, and harnessing innovation and technology to develop solutions that will shape the future of humanitarian action."
