The 21st edition of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition – DIHAD – concluded on May 1, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.
This year’s edition recorded 137 nominations from 42 countries, reflecting the’ global scale and diversity of humanitarian efforts. The awards covered 12 categories, highlighting multiple fields of service and impact.
Among the distinguished recipients of the Humanthropy 2025 Awards was Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director-General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), Dubai, who was honoured with the Humanthropy Personality of the Year Award. Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) received the Humanthropy Corporate Social Responsibility Award. At the same time, Fatma Essa Almheiri, Acting Director of Technology Adoption and Development at the Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology, was named Emerging Humanitarian Leader. The Humanthropy Financial Impact Award was presented to the United Nations High.
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and David Harland, Executive Director of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue; Member of the United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Advisory Board on Mediation, United Nations, received the Global Peacebuilding Award. Emaar Foundation was recognised with the Humanthropy Philanthropic Award, and the Egyptian Food Bank was awarded for its Leadership in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Thomas Peter, Head of the Coordination Platforms Unit at OCHA Geneva, received the Humanthropy Spotlight Award, while Dubai Humanitarian earned the Humanthropy Supply Chain Excellence Award. The Big Heart Foundation was recognised with the Humanthropy Sustainability Award.
In addition, Ambassador Arthur Mattli, Ambassador of Switzerland to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, was presented with the Humanthropy Unity in Diversity Award. The Humanthropy Visionary Award was granted to Dr. Sonia Ben Jaafar, Chief Executive Officer of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, UAE, for her forward-thinking contributions to humanitarian development.
Amid growing global humanitarian challenges, the UAE’s industrial sector is increasingly emerging as a strategic pillar for driving sustainable development and supporting humanitarian and relief operations. Through Operation 300bn, the UAE aims to raise the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP from AED 133 billion to AED 300 billion by 2031.
By strengthening the ‘Made in the Emirates’ brand and enhancing the competitiveness of national products, the UAE is paving the way for a humanitarian-industrial model that leverages local manufacturing capabilities to meet urgent relief needs and contribute to long-term global development. This approach reduces import dependency, reinforces supply chain resilience, supports sustainable economic growth, and aligns with the country’s broader climate and development commitments.
Amb. Dr. Abdulsalam Al Madani, Chairman of DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian Organisation, Chairman of DISAB, and Roving Ambassador of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) for the GCC Region, stated: “Directing local production to meet the growing needs of the humanitarian sector will create new manufacturing opportunities, boost national exports, and open unconventional markets to UAE products. This, in turn, supports the growth of local businesses, creates jobs for citizens and residents, and transforms the humanitarian field into a true economic driver that enhances the UAE’s global competitiveness and affirms its role as a regional and international hub for humanitarian and philanthropic economies.”
On the last day of DIHAD 2025, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian & Charity Establishment and Al Jalila Foundation signed a cooperation agreement to support the Nabadat Campaign. This life-saving initiative provides heart treatments for children with congenital heart defects, both in the UAE and internationally. The signing occurred in the presence of H.E. Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary-General of the Executive Council and Chairman of the Supervisory Steering Committee of Dubai Schools, Abdulla Al Basti.
The partnership reflects the shared commitment of both organisations to strengthen local and global humanitarian cooperation and to direct resources toward the most vulnerable, particularly children in urgent need of medical care.
DIHAD 2025 witnessed record-breaking attendance, attracting over 18,000 participants and visitors from more than 160 countries. The conference featured over 1,063 humanitarian-focused organisations and 131 global expert speakers. The conference programme addressed critical topics across 64 main sessions and 197 specialised workshops offering hands-on training for humanitarian professionals.
–WAM
