His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai launched the International Humanitarian City’s strategy for 2015-2021 at its Dubai headquarters. The IHC is the leading hub for innovative humanitarian solutions and synergy among world leaders.

The event was graced by HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi - UAE Minister of International Cooperation and Development; HE Mohammed Al Gergawi - UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs; HE Abdul Rahman Al Owais - UAE Minister of Health; Director Generals of Federal and Dubai entities; and numerous representatives of local and international humanitarian organizations.

HE Ban Ki-Moon, United Nations Secretary-General expressed his gratitude in a recorded message: “I would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President; and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai for their remarkable humanitarian accomplishments. The UAE has risen into a highly influential catalyst on the global humanitarian stage, innovatively making life-saving and life-changing contributions. Therefore the United Nations remains deeply committed to the International Humanitarian City.”

The four pillars of the IHC’s 2015-2021 strategy are:

  • Connect: Humanity aims to make the IHC a leading organizer, facilitator and host of annual regional and global humanitarian events. Programs will engage the Dubai and UAE society, and a World Humanitarian Forum will be held in the UAE in September every two years.
  • Innovate: Humanity will help the IHC contribute to the Dubai Smart City and Dubai 2021 plan.
  • Lead: Humanity unveiled the first-of-its-kind advisory council chaired by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and its Vice President HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan - Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region. Its members include HE Nabil Al Araby - Secretary General of the Arab League; and several international humanitarian leaders, who attended the event, namely HE Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani - Secretary General of the GCC; Baroness Valerie Amos - United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator; HE Ertharin Cousin - Executive Director of the World Food Program; and HE Elhadj As Sy - Secretary General of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
  • Partner: Humanity facilitates CSR partnerships through private sector events and the first international Humanitarian Impact Fund. This makes the IHC a crucial connector and facilitator of private sector humanitarian work. This vision was greatly boosted by a AED 1 million donation from HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid toured the photo gallery exhibition, which showcases the magnitude and life-changing impact of aid from the UN and other international humanitarian organizations based in the IHC, in response to disasters worldwide. The total aid exceeded AED 220 million in 2014.

*Source: ME NewsWire