Programme
The 5th edition of the IC Forum will take place over two days, 26 and 27 February 2026, at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG). Humanitarian aid will be the focus of the various sessions organised.
On Thursday, international guests will explore global shifts and their implications for the humanitarian sector/world. The Friday programme is dedicated to operational approaches and innovative solutions under the theme ‘Global crises meet global solutions’. Your expertise is essential ; engage in interactive thinking, working and discussion.
Thursday, 26.02.2026
12:00–13:30 Arrival of guests, welcome coffee, exhibition
13:30–13:45 Welcome
How do we redefine humanitarian aid in the changing global context?
- Patricia Danzi, SDC director general
- Dominik Stillhart, Switzerland's delegate for humanitarian aid
- Alfonso Gomez, mayor Geneva
13:45–14:30 Opening plenary session: The world in upheaval
The influence of geopolitics is growing, multilateralism is under pressure, and international norms are losing their hold. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis outlines the global shifts and ERC/USG Tom Fletcher sets out what they mean for the humanitarian world.
- Opening address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)
- Keynote speech: Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
14:45–15:45 Thematic sessions
15:45–16:15 Coffee break and exhibition
16:15–17:15 High-level panel: The future of humanitarian aid
In view of the profound upheavals in the humanitarian system and the changing conditions on the ground, the question presents itself: what will humanitarian aid look like in the future? What role do different actors play and how can aid create the greatest possible added value for the people affected?
- Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross)
- Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
- Martin Kimani, President and CEO of The Africa Center
- Degan Ali, CEO of Adeso
17:15–17:45 Presentation of the IC Award 2026 in the presence of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Nathalie Fontanet, State Councilor Geneva
17:45–20:00 IC Forum aperitif with live presentation of humanitarian demining and innovative ideas
Friday, 27.02.2026
09:15–10:00 Arrival of guests, welcome coffee, exhibition
10:00–11:00 Perspectives from the field: what do these upheavals mean locally?
How do international developments affect people in crisis situations and what does their dail? How has the situation in Syria and Afghanistan changed over the past year? What does humanitarian aid look like on the ground in Gaza or in Cox’s Bazar, the world's largest refugee camp? How can we empower those who are closest to the crises? Humanitarian actors involved and those affected share insights into a changing reality.
- Dominik Stillhart, Switzerland's delegate for humanitarian aid
- Kathrin Wyss, Deputy Head of Cooperation, SDC Office Sudan
- Pamela Stathakis, Deputy Head SDC Office Afghanistan
- Eamon Semmakie, National Programme Officer, SDC Office Syrien
11:15–12:30 Working Sessions
12:30–14:00 Networking lunch with live presentation of humanitarian demining and innovative ideas
14:00–15:00 Rethinking aid deliveries for greater impact with existing resources – Innovation hackathon bridging research and field
How do young people see the future of humanitarian aid? Students at the Geneva Graduate Institute are currently working in the Fabrique de la paix (the Fab) – the Graduate Institute's innovation lab – on key questions about future formats and innovations for the humanitarian aid of tomorrow. To this end, two innovative organisations are presenting solutions that are currently being tested in the field.
- Marie-Laure Salles, Professor and Director Geneva Graduate Institute
- Students of the Geneva Graduate Institute
- Luan Jaupi, Head of Information management, Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD)
- Maaz Sheikh, Founder and CEO Ageospatial
15:00–16:00 Reality check Switzerland: Is the Swiss humanitarian aid ready for tomorrow?
How are Swiss actors working under the changed conditions? Which ideas and approaches are sustainable and feasible for the future? How can Swiss expertise continue to be effectively applied despite the current challenges? And what kind of aid strengthens the local communities and provides real added value on the ground? A wide range of actors will present solutions for effective aid based on concrete projects and invite the audience to engaging the discussion.
- Edouard Bugnion, Prof., President Fondation EPFL Innovation Park and Vice-President for Innovation and Impact
- Patrick Elmer, CEO iGravity
- Karolina Frischkopf, Director of HEKS/EPER
- Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General IFRC
- Lai-Ling Lee Rodriguez, Deputy General. Director, MSF Switzerland
- Pia Hänni, Head of Section Swiss NGO, SDC
16:00–16:30 Closing speech by Federal Councillor Martin Pfister, head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS)
16:30–17:30 Closing Aperitif with Federal Councillor Martin Pfister and members of the SDC Executive Board, with a live presentation on humanitarian mine clearance and exchange of innovative ideas
Contact
Eichenweg 5
3003 Bern