Dubai Humanitarian, in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD), will host the Second Conference of Countries Hosting the World’s Humanitarian Hubs on November 28, 2025. The event, taking place in Brindisi, Italy, marks the 25th anniversary of UNHRD.
The conference will gather representatives from the 11 countries that serve as hosts for major humanitarian hubs. Participants will include senior officials from international organizations, government bodies, and private sector partners. The main aim is to enhance cooperation and innovation in global emergency preparedness and response.
His Excellency Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Chairman of Dubai Humanitarian, stated: “Dubai has long recognised that effective humanitarian response depends on strong global collaboration and shared responsibility. This conference reflects Dubai Humanitarian’s commitment to supporting the international humanitarian community by strengthening partnerships between host countries and major humanitarian hubs, and by helping build a system capable of responding to crises with greater efficiency and sustainability.
We look forward to the discussions and outcomes of the conference. As the Secretariat, and as the world’s largest and pioneering humanitarian hub, Dubai Humanitarian will continue to champion cooperation and work tirelessly to better serve people in need.”
Her Excellency Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Board Member of Dubai Humanitarian, added: “The 2nd Conference of Countries Hosting the World’s Humanitarian Hubs reflects a growing global commitment to act collectively and responsibly. It also highlights the UAE’s significant and innovative role, as Dubai Humanitarian began the journey in 2023 to establish a network of humanitarian hubs and cities. Our world today requires timely adjustments, and by advancing the Global Safety Net, we can ensure that humanitarian response becomes faster, smarter, and greener, harnessing global reach for lasting local impact.”
Key topics at this year’s conference include advancing the Global Safety Net initiative—a cooperative alliance among global humanitarian hubs—and further developing tools like the Humanitarian Logistics Databank. This digital platform provides real-time information about relief supplies’ availability and movement; it is currently used in Italy, Panama, and the United Arab Emirates. The databank aims to improve transparency in operations while reducing duplication of efforts.
Delegates are also expected to discuss how sustainability can be integrated into logistics practices such as using low-emission transport options or eco-friendly packaging materials. Technology will play a role in making these operations more resilient against climate-related challenges.
Building on discussions from an earlier conference held during COP28 in 2023 by Dubai Humanitarian together with UAE authorities, this meeting will focus on strengthening partnerships under Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17), promoting innovation within supply chains for aid delivery, addressing both climate change impacts on emergency responses as well as digital transformation needs within humanitarian organizations.
