Switzerland Named Guest of Honour for DIHAD 2025: Abu Dhabi Meeting Explores Collaboration in Humanitarian Aid and Development

Call to Enhance Global Partnerships for Tackling Humanitarian Crises Through Sustainable Cooperation

Ahead of the 21st edition of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition – DIHAD 2025, the World’s Leading Event on Humanitarian Aid and Development, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, His Excellency Arthur Mattli, Ambassador of Switzerland to the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain, hosted a high-level meeting at the Swiss Residence on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi.

The meeting brought together several ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in the UAE to explore avenues for strengthening cooperation in humanitarian work and development.

During the meeting, Switzerland was officially named Guest of Honour for DIHAD Conference and Exhibition 2025, recognizing its continued contributions to the global humanitarian sector. This acknowledgment underscores the significant role of Swiss organizations and companies in addressing global challenges and supporting vulnerable communities. At the event, Switzerland will showcase its innovative solutions and humanitarian initiatives through the Swiss Pavilion, reflecting its steadfast commitment to advancing humanitarian causes worldwide.

DIHAD Conference and Exhibition 2025 is set to convene prominent leaders from international NGOs, United Nations agencies, charitable organizations, government entities, private sector companies, academic institutions, and media organizations.

The 21st edition of the event will focus on “Humanitarian Aid and Development in a Polarised World,” reflecting the complex global crises currently confronting the international community. Rising humanitarian needs, escalating conflicts, and the exponential impact of climate change have rendered traditional humanitarian strategies increasingly ineffective, particularly in the context of a significant decrease in available funding.

His Excellency Arthur Mattli, Ambassador of Switzerland to the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain, welcomed the esteemed ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic bodies and thanked them for their ongoing cooperation and highlighted the importance of such gatherings in strengthening the role of the diplomatic corps and the central humanitarian mission of the DIHAD Conference and Exhibition. He remarked: “Humanitarian aid and development is not just giving. In a polarised world, it must rise above division, serving as a bridge that unites humanity and true collaboration.”

The meeting provided a platform to discuss ways to strengthen collaboration between countries and international organizations in addressing urgent humanitarian challenges.

Distinguished ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in the UAE were in attendance, including  H.E. Alison Milton, Ambassador of Ireland to the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar,H.E. Aman Saliev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to the UAE,  H.E. Antoine Delcourt, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the UAE, H.E. Diaby Vacaba, Ambassador of the Republic of Côte D’ivoire to the UAE, H.E. Dr. Etienne Berchtold, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the UAE, H.E. Iñigo de Palacio España, Ambassador of Spain to the UAE, H.E. Kamal R Vaswani, Ambassador of Singapore to the UAE, H.E. Maria Camilleri Calleja, Ambassador of Malta to the UAE, H.E. Sidney Leon Romeiro, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the UAE, H.E. Rebecca Perez, Ambassador of Panama to the UAE, Mr. Anders Gulbrandsen, Minister Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in the UAE, Mr. Christoph Klarmann, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in the UAE, Mr. Jose Antonio Larios, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of Mexico in the UAE, Mr. Martin Shanon, First Secretary Development, British Embassy in the UAE, and Ms. Ahlem Khelil, Political Counsellor, Embassy of France in the UAE and a number of attendees, including Mr. Tariq Al Madani, Member, Board of Trustees, DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian Organisation, CEO of INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions and INDEX Design.

Such gatherings present unique opportunities to spotlight the 21st edition of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD), set to take place in April. The event offers participants valuable insight into the latest development and humanitarian aid advancements, reaffirming the vital role of DIHAD Conference and Exhibition in fostering global cooperation. Moreover, the meeting strengthens ties and lays a solid foundation for impactful international partnerships while deepening DIHAD’s engagement with diplomatic missions in the UAE. Discussions focused on enhancing collaboration across various sectors, particularly in sustainable humanitarian initiatives, education, and healthcare.

His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Abdulsalam AlMadani, Chairman of DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian Organisation and Chairman of DISAB; Roving Ambassador of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) for the GCC Region, emphasized the meeting’s significance in raising awareness about the vital role of cooperation between countries and international organizations in addressing the escalating humanitarian challenges. He underscored that such initiatives are crucial, particularly given the complex crises the world is currently facing. He pointed out that “DIHAD 2025” will serve as a prominent platform for exchanging expertise and showcasing innovative solutions capable of making a real difference in the lives of millions of people globally, especially as the number of speakers participating in this year’s conference has doubled compared to last year, while the total exhibition space for DIHAD has also seen significant expansion.

His Excellency added, “Switzerland represents a living example of sustainable international cooperation in humanitarian efforts, and we are proud to welcome Switzerland as the “Guest of Honour” at DIHAD Conference and Exhibition 2025. We hope that through this participation, we can strengthen joint efforts to develop innovative solutions to the growing humanitarian challenges. We believe that cooperation between nations and organizations is the cornerstone of achieving sustainable development and building a better future for all. We remain committed to supporting these efforts in close collaboration with our partners worldwide”.

During the meeting, Eng. Khaled Al-Attar, Director General of DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian Organisation, reviewed the key achievements of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD). He said: “At DIHAD, we aim to create a global impact that goes beyond humanitarian aid to achieve sustainable development, ensuring access to more stable and secure communities. Through the DIHAD conference and exhibition, we strive to provide ideal opportunities for collaborative efforts among global organizations dedicated to this sector and to create opportunities for solidarity in building more stable and sustainable communities.”

The meeting concluded with a call for participating countries to intensify efforts and establish new partnerships to address future humanitarian challenges, reflecting a collective commitment to cooperation and joint action principles.

The Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition – DIHAD 2025, an annual event organized by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions Org. LLC, a member of INDEX Holding, will be held from 29th April to 1st May 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event is supported by a number of prominent organizations, including the United Nations, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the Dubai Future Council on Humanitarian Aid, UAE Red Crescent Authority, Dubai Humanitarian, and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment.