HNPW 2024: A Snapshot

Geneva, May 6^th, 2024. Under a blue sky and warm weather, I discovered the International Conference Center Geneva (CICG). Outside the building, the atmosphere was calm, with only a few groups taking their coffee break. But don’t be fooled; as soon as you step inside, the show begins. The 2024 edition of the Humanitarian Networks and Partnership Week (HNPW) features 300 sessions and workshops, attended by over 3,000 participants from 120 countries. This year’s event is packed with humanitarian actors, dog robots, and real rescue dogs. From the entrance, it is evident that the participants range from leading entities to smaller consultancies, local NGOs, and academia. Since its creation, HNPW has grown into a critical gathering for the humanitarian community, fostering collaboration and innovation.

As you walk inside, you can see the multitude of booths. Everyone wants to showcase what they have built and created, what they are teaching, how they are contributing to the sector. You can see interactive maps, and prototypes, and of course, at the end of the hall, Fazer chocolates, greetings from Finland.

The building is so big that I got lost multiple times. As I managed to find my way to my first session, I could see that the program showcased a diversity of topics, from sessions on funding, media, and communication to data management, resilience, and board games and simulations. Among the many sessions presented this year, the climate crisis, localization, accountability to affected populations, and technology were most discussed.

One of the predominant themes at HNPW 2024 was the impact of climate change on humanitarian operations. As extreme weather events intensify in frequency and severity, the humanitarian community faces an urgent need to adapt its strategies and strengthen the resilience of its operations. Sessions explored the integration of climate risk assessments into humanitarian planning processes, fostering collaboration between humanitarian and private sectors, and exploring innovative approaches to climate adaptation.

Another key focus was the transformative role of technology in humanitarian operations. Discussions stressed the application of artificial intelligence, data analytics and blockchain technology in improving coordination, resource allocation, and transparency within humanitarian efforts. The potential of these technologies to streamline operations and improve decision-making processes was a recurring theme, underscoring their pivotal role in shaping the future of humanitarian logistics.

Localization also emerged as a central theme, reflecting ongoing efforts to empower local organizations and communities in humanitarian response. Sessions explored progress, challenges, and best practices associated with localizing humanitarian efforts. While localization promises to enhance efficiency and effectiveness by leveraging local knowledge and networks, it also presents significant complexities and requires robust coordination between international and local stakeholders.

Of course, this year again HUMLOG was actively involved in a series of events and talks. We hosted multiple sessions on advancing sustainable practices within humanitarian logistics. Discussions on green logistics emphasized minimizing environmental impact while ensuring efficient aid delivery. HUMLOG also showcased its involvement in the EU-funded Waste management in humanitarian Organizations: Reduction and Minimization (WORM) Project. This project addresses waste management in humanitarian operations to develop guidelines, support actions for the circular economy in the humanitarian sector with a focus on field-hospital deployment and humanitarian livelihood programs with a waste picking component. In addition, the HUMLOG conducted interactive sessions on humanitarian logistics during sieges and on localization in conflicting areas. Real-world experiences were shared, providing valuable insights into overcoming challenges in disruptive areas. Finally, as a research institute, it was important for us to conduct a session focusing on nurturing leadership and management competencies for future supply chain leaders, highlighting the importance of skilled professionals in managing complex logistics operations during crises.

This year again, HNPW does not disappoint. It provided a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovative solutions in humanitarian logistics. The active participation of stakeholders showcases the commitment to advancing best practices and addressing critical challenges in the humanitarian sector. See you next year, Geneva.