Dubai, UAE, 24 February 2022: The International Humanitarian City (IHC) has forged strategic cooperation with the team behind the International Humanitarian Summit (IHS), an independent forum committed to improving the state of the world to promote dialogues for regional and global humanitarian development.

IHC CEO Guiseppe Saba and IHS Head of Organizing Committee Dawood Al Shezawi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising their partnership ahead of the summit, which is taking place on March 30, 2022 in Dubai.

Under the terms of the MoU, both parties will utilise established structures and key resources to foster an exchange of creative ideas and ensure the creation of effective policies during the summit for the advancement of global humanitarian actions. Furthermore, the two sides agreed to mobilise and influence diverse stakeholders worldwide to contribute to and participate in the implementation of the IHS programmes.

Guiseppe Saba, CEO of IHC, said: “As a free zone authority mandated by the Dubai Government to facilitate the work of registered aid organizations, IHC encourages all initiatives aimed at enhancing existing humanitarian systems. Continuous improvement is necessary to ensure that we address global emergencies and crises effectively and efficiently, thus saving more lives. The IHS is a strategic platform designed to promote multi-stakeholder dialogues needed to achieve enhanced international humanitarian protocols.”

“Our MoU reflects our support for the IHS and willingness to accomplish the summit’s overall goals, in line with our wise leadership’s directives to continuously provide aid and hope to the world. Most importantly, this collaboration mirrors our objectives to create new synergies and partnerships with innovators and private sector players operating according to the highest standards. We welcome our cooperation, and we look forward to working closely with the IHS team,” Saba continued.

Shakira Akbar, IHS Director said: “The upcoming summit will provide international humanitarian organizations with a platform to come together and tackle current and emerging concerns and opportunities in their work. This is important in light of a myriad of serious challenges that have emerged due to the pandemic. The global health crisis has further widened inequality worldwide and led to several issues with great impact on the lives of many, especially the most vulnerable members of our society. Against this backdrop, we need to step up our efforts to bring assistance to and empower individuals, families, and communities in need whilst breaking down barriers and removing obstacles.”

“Our partnership with IHC will ensure that the summit will be a success in that the discussions of all participants will lead to lasting and meaningful change. Both IHC and IHS will work together to identify possible areas of cooperation within the framework of the upcoming event to achieve our common goals. We would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to IHC for partnering with us and providing us with the needed support to help realise our aspirations,” she added.

IHS will bring under one roof government and private institutions, international organisations, and humanitarian, charitable, and academic institutions, to name a few, to promote and support humanitarian development. The international platform, which advocates for neutrality, impartiality, independence, and other humanitarian values, will shed light on persisting global issues such as the pandemic, racism, gender inequality, poverty, persecution, and hunger. It targets to engage many parties in acting, portraying, and highlighting how important humanity is.

During the summit, Mr. Saba will speak on ‘The International Humanitarian City, Sharing our Dubai Model from the Largest Humanitarian Hub in the World’.

IHC will also run an exhibition stand during the gathering to connect and discuss its mandate with the visitors, as well as highlight the UAE’s ongoing humanitarian efforts.