“Dubai Humanitarian” reviews its journey in advancing global humanitarian work

In an evening titled “The Future Now: Advancing Humanitarian Work from the Heart of Dubai to the World,” Dubai Humanitarian Center, the largest humanitarian center in the world, presented the film “For Humanity” at the Digital Art Theater (TODA) in Souq Madinat Jumeirah, followed by a high-level dialogue that brought together an elite group of speakers and experts.

The film documents Dubai’s humanitarian journey and its development as a global platform for humanitarian coordination and innovation, revealing the true behind-the-scenes of the aid journey from the heart of Dubai until it reaches communities affected by crises around the world.

Through a poignant visual narrative, the film highlights the growing impact of Dubai Humanitarian Affairs, the efforts of its partners, and its ongoing mission to make the humanitarian response faster, smarter and more connected.

Following the presentation, the Executive Director and Board Member of Dubai Humanitarian Affairs, Giuseppe Saba, delivered a speech in which he referred to the culture of giving rooted in the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Dubai and derived from the legacy of the late founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul. He also reviewed the integrated system that was built within the Dubai Humanitarian community, which is based on cooperation between the public and private sectors, academic institutions, donors and international partners. Including countries that host humanitarian centres. He stressed that this participatory approach forms the basis for enhancing the effectiveness of the humanitarian response globally and reaching those in need as much as possible.

He concluded his speech, citing the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, saying: “Our aid knows no bounds, our responsibility knows no restrictions, and our preparation for the future must be continuous.”

This was followed by a speech delivered by the Executive Director of Operations at the Emirates International Aid Agency, Rashid Al-Humairi, followed by an interactive discussion moderated by the journalist Mustafa Al-Rawi, in which the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the United Arab Emirates, Beranger Boel, and the Director of Programs and Initiatives Department at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, Dr. Fawzan Al-Khalidi, and the Director of the World Food Program Office in the Emirates and the Program’s representative to the GCC countries participated. Al Khaliji, Stephen Anderson, and Badr Abbas, Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo.

Speakers discussed the transformations that global humanitarian action is witnessing in light of successive crises, from climate change to conflicts, and highlighted the importance of innovation, technology and multi-sector partnerships in ensuring that aid arrives quickly and efficiently.

The most prominent topics covered in the discussion were:

• The UAE’s leadership in consolidating humanitarian work within its national identity and institutional approach.

• The role of cooperation and partnerships in building a more flexible and effective humanitarian system at the global level.

• The importance of innovation and modern technologies, from digital data platforms to artificial intelligence tools, in enhancing response readiness.

• The need to raise the level of international cooperation to ensure faster and more sustainable delivery of aid in an increasingly complex world.

By highlighting the role of Emirates Air Cargo in the rapid transportation of aid, the operational expertise of the World Food Programme, and the relief initiatives of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation around the world, the discussion highlighted how multi-sector partnerships emanating from Dubai are contributing to reshaping the future of humanitarian work.

The meeting concluded with a renewed collective commitment to continue building a proactive, interconnected and flexible humanitarian network that embodies Dubai’s humanitarian mission of spreading hope and extending a helping hand from the heart of Dubai to the world.