Basha made the remarks on the sidelines of the DIHAD event, which was inaugurated yesterday by UN Messenger of Peace and Chairperson of the International Humanitarian City Princess Haya bint Al-Hussein, wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center.

“The three-day event provides a good opportunity to meet and strengthen tieups with local and international organizations, including different bodies of the UN and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This gathering is a platform where we can share our expertise and opinions. “The conference promotes discussions to find best practices and solutions through constructive interaction between specialized humanitarian bodies. It also encourages partnerships between humanitarian and development associations,” he added.

“IIROSA has adopted a strategic and ambitious plan for relief, reconstruction and sustainable developments,” he said.

This year's DIHAD theme, "The Role and Importance of Youth in Humanitarian Assistance and Development Activities," highlights the issues of youth in affected areas and the pursuit of providing them with development while implementing appropriate activities that will help them maintain the development process in the future. Basha lauded the event’s efforts in tackling key youth issues. “DIHAD will help focus on their issues and go deeper into such issues,” Basha said.

The program will also focus on the development activities and humanitarian assistance through highlighting the role of the youth in conflicts and post-conflict reconciliation.

More than 275 exhibitors from 66 countries representing governmental and nongovernmental organizations, charity organizations, health care sector, medical equipment suppliers and temporary hospitals are participating in the DIHAD. During the inauguration ceremony, Princess Haya said: “Young people today have been raised in the digital age — they are accustomed to the fast movement of ideas, products and information, to instant gratification.”

“People underestimate the capacity of youth,” continued Princess Haya. “How is it that we give them so little a role in setting the global development agenda or helping find new routes to ending political conflicts that deplete our energy and resources? Our world is in economic and political flux, some even say danger. We look to our youth today to help us imagine a new one.”

In his speech, Ahmed Humaid Al-Mazroui, chairman of UAE Red Crescent Society, said that the authority follows the path of decency and generosity for the past three decades and it is keen to support all the needy that suffer in this world.

"We are looking forward through this conference to achieve more strategic partnerships that meet with our aspirations while strengthening the role of youth and utilize their skills and abilities to serve the humanitarian issues. From our side, we will spare no effort in providing every possible effort required toward achieving the desired goals, and we shall strengthen connections between local organizations for a better future," Al-Mazroui said.