Day 1 at AidEx Geneva opened with a keynote by Dominik Stillhart, Head of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit. He highlighted the current challenges in humanitarian funding, noting that nearly 40 per cent of resources have been disrupted while needs continue to grow. He emphasised the importance of learning to do more with less and the need to trust local governments and communities alongside the international system.
I attended the Fireside Chat Keynote: “Resetting International Development Cooperation Systems.” The panel included Yannick Du Pont from the Netherlands Advisory Council on International Affairs, Faisal bin Mohammed Al-Kahtani from the Saudi Fund for Development, Evelien Masschelein from Enabel, and Birgit Nevala from Finnfund. The discussion focused on evolving international cooperation to address changing global dynamics. Panel members highlighted the importance of partnerships built on shared goals, transparency, and local engagement. They also discussed cooperation between Gulf states and Europe, noting how joint approaches can strengthen development and aid effectiveness across regions.
In the afternoon session, “Beyond the Grant: Evolving Donor–NGO Partnerships in a Changing World,” speakers including Lea Zoric from the Peace of Mind Foundation and Gloria Donate from the Irene M. Staehelin Foundation discussed ways to support community-led and innovative approaches. They emphasised the growing role of localisation in creating sustainable and accountable programmes and highlighted the importance of ensuring that communities are actively engaged and take ownership of projects from the outset.
The final session I attended was “Investor Perspectives: What Would It Take to Fund Humanitarian Solutions?” Panel members Florian Kemmerich, Siddhartha Sinha, Justin Sykes, Claude Brown, and Lindsay Ann Michiels explored what drives investor engagement in humanitarian projects. The discussion covered risk, alignment between humanitarian objectives and private investment, and the potential for scalable models. The panellists also shared practical examples and strategies for bridging the gap between impact goals and financial returns, highlighting both challenges and opportunities in the sector.
Across the sessions and in conversations throughout the venue, a recurring theme emerged. Disruptions of funds, localisation, and innovation are influencing how development work is structured. There is a focus on building partnerships that balance global support with local implementation and ownership.
Despite current funding challenges, new actors and foundations, including Peace of Mind, are introducing community-focused and innovative approaches. These actors prioritise evidence-based programming, local engagement, and flexible ways of working.
Day 1 concluded with a clear sense that the humanitarian and development sector is adjusting to changing circumstances, exploring approaches that combine collaboration, local engagement, and adaptable funding models.
The final day of AidEx featured sessions that brought together global development leaders, policymakers, and humanitarian practitioners to discuss collaboration, resilience, and inclusion in the humanitarian sector. A central theme emerged: the future of humanitarian and development work depends on trust-based partnerships, strategic engagement with the private sector, and stronger systems that allow communities to thrive independently.
At the Duty of Care Pavilion, the session “Stronger Together: Rethinking NGO–Private Sector Collaboration to Sustain Duty of Care” explored the vital role of private actors in providing services such as emergency medical response, legal advice, and risk insurance. Moderated by Jon Novakovic, Executive Director of the Global Interagency Security Forum, the panel included Salim Nakueira (International SOS), Kim Scriven (H2H Network), and Beth Chapman (ILS). Speakers stressed that partnerships must move beyond transactional arrangements to become strategic collaborations grounded in shared values, transparency, and accountability. They highlighted the importance of asking difficult questions early, identifying gaps, aligning on mission and values, and cultivating trust to ensure sustainable cooperation.
On the Development2030 stage, the session “Economic Inclusion and Sustainable Job Creation” focused on strategies to tackle poverty and foster resilience. Speakers including Samuel P. S. Williams (Christian Aid), Karen Davies (Purple Shoots), Natasha Kwakwa (Standard Chartered Foundation), and Halima Begum (Oxfam GB) emphasised empowering communities, supporting micro and small enterprises to grow and become creditworthy, and creating sustainable livelihoods that break cycles of dependence. Discussions centred on access to finance, skills development, and digital tools, highlighting the need for mentorship and innovative approaches to unlock opportunities for marginalised communities.
The session “Safety Nets for the Future: Building Resilient Lives Through Social Protection” addressed the urgent need for robust social protection systems. Speakers including Veronika Wodsak (ILO), Mohsen Sarhan (Egyptian Food Bank), and Celestine Krösschell (HELVETAS) noted that over half the world’s population lacks access to safety nets, leaving millions vulnerable to crises. Social protection systems are a human right and must combine government leadership, community engagement, and sustainable financing to maintain stability and resilience.
The Development2030 session concluded with a keynote from Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell, former UK Minister for International Development, who reflected on where we have come, where we are today, and where we must go from here. Mitchell outlined three priorities: investing in energy and infrastructure in developing countries, supporting economic empowerment across Africa through initiatives such as Africa50 and the African Development Bank (AfDB), and building resilient communities through social protection systems. He emphasised integrating development, diplomacy, and defence as a core argument for effective international development.
AidEx reinforced a consistent message: achieving sustainable impact requires trust, collaboration, and inclusive systems, moving beyond transactional relationships to create meaningful, lasting change.
Ely Kanene
Ely joined Oxford HR in 2024 as part of the Europe research team. He holds an MBA and a master’s in international relations.
With experience in government, international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector, Ely has over ten years of international experience in supply chain/logistics, international relations, international trade, research, and business development.
Based in Geneva, Ely has worked and been on assignments in support of international development while living and working abroad in Afghanistan, Iraq, Western Europe, Switzerland, and the United States.
Ely is a passionate and inquisitive learner, eager to acquire knowledge and insights from others. He looks forward to collaborating with Oxford HR to achieve its objective.
