Dubai, United Arab Emirates, - Wednesday, January 14th 2015 [ME NewsWire]

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.

Contacts

Joumana El Tarabulsi, Media Releations Manager

jumana.tarabulsi@alsayeghmedia.com

T: +971 4 444 1000