In Its Second Day, DIHAD 2026 Highlights Leading the Change and Advancing the Humanitarian System
Dubai, 25 August 2026: The 22nd edition of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD 2026) continued its second day under the theme “Humanitarianism in Transition: Shaping the Future of Humanitarian Action,” with the day’s programme focusing on “Leading the Change: Shaping the Future of Humanitarian Practices.” The programme featured a series of high-level sessions, dialogues and specialised activities, bringing together leading figures, experts, and representatives of international organisations, governments, humanitarian institutions and academic communities.
The second day highlighted the rapid transformations shaping the humanitarian sector and the need to advance response models, foster innovation, and strengthen the sharing of knowledge and experience. These efforts contribute to building a more resilient and effective system capable of responding to growing humanitarian needs around the world.
The day witnessed broad participation from representatives of international humanitarian organisations, government entities and development institutions, alongside experts and specialists, in strategic dialogues addressing the future of humanitarian action, the importance of strengthening multilateral partnerships, developing local capacities, and harnessing innovation and emerging technologies to support humanitarian response and achieve sustainable impact.
High-Level Events
The second day’s programme featured a range of high-level side events and activities, most notably the First Aid World Cup 2026 Finals, culminating in the Awarding Ceremony and Winners’ Announcement, alongside the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC–DREF) GCC Conference.
As the first IFRC–DREF GCC Conference to be hosted during DIHAD, the event brought together key decision-makers and partners from across the GCC region to strengthen collaboration and support for rapid, effective and coordinated humanitarian response across the region.
The day also featuredhigh-level roundtable meetings hosted by the DIHAD Sustainable Organisation in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNICEF, the Government of Ukraine, and a number of international partners.
The roundtable meetings addressed key topics, including “From Commitment to Impact: Humanitarian Action in Water and Sanitation,” as well as “Food Security,” highlighting the importance of translating commitments into tangible and sustainable outcomes and strengthening cooperation among relevant stakeholders to ensure access to essential services for affected and vulnerable communities.
The high-level roundtable meetings provided dedicated platforms for dialogue among policymakers, experts and humanitarian actors to address emerging priorities, strengthen international coordination, exchange knowledge and best practices, and explore practical mechanisms to advance humanitarian response.
First Aid World Cup 2026
DIHAD 2026 hosted the First Aid World Cup 2026 for the first time, co-organized by the DIHAD Sustainable Organisation and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The global competition is dedicated to advancing first aid and resuscitation through innovation, emergency response, public awareness and capacity building, while strengthening preparedness and the ability to save lives.
The competition brought together outstanding talents from the Red Cross Red Crescent networkon the world stage to compete, collaborate and catalyse a new era for first aid. It provides a global platform for teams to exchange knowledge and experience and showcase innovation and best practices across first aid, resuscitation and emergency response, contributing to a stronger culture of preparedness and enhancing community capacity to respond to emergencies.
The competition featured162 teams representing 85 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies from five regions, with 15 teams advancing to the finals. The finals took place on 24 August 2026, with the Awarding Ceremony and Winners’ Announcement held on 25 August 2026.
The competition featured three thematic challenges: Innovative First Aid and Resuscitation, Scenario-Based First Aid and Resuscitation Response, and Public Awareness Campaign, enabling participating National Societies to showcase their practical, innovative and public awareness capabilities.
The finalists in the Innovative First Aid and Resuscitation challenge included the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Colombian Red Cross Society, Red Cross Society of China, Ukraine Red Cross Society, and Saudi Red Crescent Authority.
The finalists in the Scenario-Based First Aid and Resuscitation Response challenge included the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, Colombian Red Cross Society, Red Cross Society of China, Bulgarian Red Cross, and Palestine Red Crescent Society.
The finalists in the Public Awareness Campaign challenge included the Mali Red Cross, Costa Rican Red Cross, Singapore Red Cross Society, British Red Cross, and Saudi Red Crescent Authority.
International Partnerships and Future Perspectives
The organisation of the First Aid World Cup as part of DIHAD 2026 reflects the importance of international partnerships in advancing the humanitarian system and strengthening local and community capacities, in line with global efforts to move from traditional emergency response to more proactive, innovative and sustainable approaches.
The programme also brought together a number of international humanitarian leaders and representatives of sponsors and strategic partners. Their contributions highlighted the importance of investing in innovation and capacity building, as well as strengthening cross-sector collaboration to support the development of more effective humanitarian practices capable of responding to rapidly changing circumstances.
Dubai Charity Association, a Platinum Sponsor of DIHAD 2026, said: “We are proud to renew our participation as a Platinum Sponsor of DIHAD 2026, building on a humanitarian legacy spanning more than 45 years and drawing inspiration from the UAE’s rich heritage and its enduring values of responsibility, integrity and good governance. We invite visitors to our pavilion to explore our innovative and sustainable initiatives across education, healthcare, economic empowerment, environmental sustainability and social welfare, implemented in collaboration with our strategic partners locally and internationally to create a lasting positive impact on the lives of millions around the world.”
Through its diverse programme, DIHAD 2026 continues to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global platform for humanitarian dialogue by bringing together diverse stakeholders under one umbrella and providing a space to exchange knowledge, build partnerships and discuss practical solutions that contribute to strengthening the humanitarian system’s ability to respond to evolving challenges and shape a more resilient, effective and sustainable future for humanitarian action.
DIHAD Conference and Exhibition is organized annually by INDEX Conference and Exhibitions Orga member of INDEX Holding, and isofficially supported by UAE Aid Agency, the United Nations, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, Dubai Future Council on Humanitarian Aid, Emirates Red Crescent, and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable Est., with the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department and Dubai Charity Association serving as the event’s Platinum Sponsors.
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