23 March 2015
Under the Theme: "Opportunity, Mobility, Sustainability: The Humanitarian Aid & Development Perspectives"

Dubai - Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD) starts Tuesday 24thof March 2015 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The 12th edition of DIHAD will be under the theme:"Opportunity, Mobility, Sustainability: The Humanitarian Aid & Development Perspectives" which is inspired from 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 DIHAD's International Scientific Advisory Board (DISAB) said:  "Dynamic Dubai is again to be the host to a dynamic event: the annual DIHAD Conference and Exhibition. This event brings together international agencies, governmental and non-governmental organizations, foundations and charities, the media and academia, the corporate sector, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as well as individual practitioners and experts in the fields of humanitarian and development assistance."

Amb. Gerhard  Cramer continued: "The theme this year, inspired bythe theme of EXPO 2020 ("Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability"), has ample scope for aid-related perspectives. These will be presented and developed at the event as we collectively seek, like EXPO 2020, to constructively "connect" our minds and "create" our future in accordance with our combined knowledge and skills."

This year,DIHAD Exhibition hosts 369 specialized companies coming from 66 countries, in addition to a number of top-notch speakers and keynote figures in the humanitarian field. On the other hand, the conference hosts a number of specialized sessions and workshops that cover important topics such as: Opportunities in Disaster Reduction and Preparedness, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Moving Relief Items, Causes and Consequences of the Forced Displacement of Persons, and the topic of Sustainable Development after 2015.

The conference will also host a keynote address about sustainability of water and energy, the role of NGOs in the provision of humanitarian assistance in today's crisis environments, and the role of NGOs as partners in development assistance. The conference's objective is to initiate humanitarian relief and development activities, and to coordinate the stances and joint programs in order to alleviate the suffering caused by natural disasters, conflicts and wars.
 
DIHAD 2015 thrives to revolutionize humanitarian efforts through important partnerships and fruitful discussions in an attempt to arrive to a number of constructive conclusions. Every year,DIHAD enjoysthe attendance of a large number of local and international figures,accompanied by important institutions in the field of relief and development.On top of them is H.E.Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Cooperation in the UAE, H.E. Dr.Hamdan Al Mazrouie, who will be speaking on behalf of H.H.Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi in the Western Region, President of UAE Red Crescent Authority,H.E.Mr. Ibrahim Bumelha, Cultural and Humanitarian Advisor of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Chairman DIHAD Higher Committee, President of DISAB, H.R.H. Prince Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan,and H.E. Mr. Elhadj As-Sy, Secretary-General, International Federation Of the Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), H.E. Mr. Pierre Kraehenbuhl, Commissioner-General, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in The Near East (UNRWA), H.E. Mr. Christos Stylianides, European Commissioner For Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management.

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 United Nations, 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 2015 is also sponsored by Al Khair Foundation & IQRA TV.

International Emergency & Catastrophe Management Conference & Exhibition- IECM 2015:
Parallel to DIHAD Conference and Exhibition, the International Emergency & Catastrophe Management Conference & Exhibition, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, is continuing for the three days at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The objective of IECM Conference & Exhibition is to contribute towards the capacity building of the responders during an emergency. The event will focus on issues faced during emergencies through new practices, methodologies, and case studies discussed by experts from the field.

The Conference agenda covers several topics such as:The History of Emergency Medicine in the MENA region, Emergency services and Disaster Management, Emergency crises and disaster management system in Dubai, Dubai Police Experience in Creating a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Unit, and Suggested Defense Equipment System in Crisis and Catastrophe Management and many others.

IECM Conference and Exhibition is organized by INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions, member of INDEX Holding, and it is supported by Government of Dubai, Dubai Police, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services and the Emirates Society of Emergency Medicine.

-Ends-

© Press Release 2015