His Excellency Hilal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre, and member of the IHC’s Board of Directors welcomed the 11th Annual Fleet Forum Conference to Dubai’s International Humanitarian City (IHC) at the forum opening.
In his opening remarks HE Al Marri reminded participants of the important role that logistics plays in effective humanitarian aid and development. “We understand the power of transportation and logistics and appreciate the work of the Fleet Forum. With more than half of the major humanitarian crises occurring in the MENA region, Dubai was geographically placed to provide a centre for humanitarian organisations. As the hub for trade and logistics in the Middle East, Dubai had the infrastructure to provide the means for organisations to reach those in need” said Al Marri.
More than 80 participants attended this year’s event, held for the first time in the Middle East and in Dubai. The Annual Fleet Forum Conference brought together the expertise of personnel from international non-government organisations (NGOs) that work in the humanitarian aid and development sector, international companies that supply products and services for transport and logistics, donor organisations, academic institutions with global recognition in transport and logistics, and intergovernmental organisations such as the agencies of the United Nations, including the World Food Programme (WFP), and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Care By Air, Al Maktoum Airport and Emirates Cargo had an effective participation in the conference, which reflected the local institution’s experiences in the fleet work to serve the humanitarian action. The focus at the Conference this year was the impact that is achieved through collaboration, defined in the conference theme of “Gather”, “Share”, “Change”.
Founded in 2003, Fleet Forum is focused on transport effectiveness. Fleet Forum is a non-profit entity that provides a collaborative platform for sharing ideas and the recognition of excellence and leadership in effective fleet management. By focusing on the development of effective practices in the areas of road safety, environmental impact, and cost efficiency, Fleet Forum is helping organisations meet their organisational and corporate goals.
Several participants of the Fleet Forum including the WFP, IFRC, World Vision, and other international NGOs are running their logistics operations from the IHC, so to be hosted in Dubai by the IHC is both an opportunity to strengthen collaboration and an indication of strong relationships for the benefit of all those working in the humanitarian aid and development sector. Ultimately, this has a significant impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of the efforts to strengthen fleet management and operations for the entire sector.
“It is an honor to be here in Dubai and to be hosted by the International Humanitarian City”, said Paul Jansen, Fleet Forum Executive Director. “We are grateful to our hosts at the IHC for the excellent facilities and hospitality that they have extended to our members, and the way in which they have partnered with us in the 11th Annual Conference”.