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Humanitarian Finance Summit 2025: Unlocking Impact Finance for Humanitarian Challenges
In February 2025, AidEx and the Humanitarian Finance Forum, with generous support from Aon and Reed Smith, hosted the inaugural Humanitarian Finance Summit in London. The one-day event convened senior leaders, experts, and practitioners to explore innovative financial solutions for humanitarian challenges, emphasising urgency and actionable approaches.
The Summit welcomed over 200 delegates representing 165 organisations across 32 countries. The Opening Keynote Address was delivered by Rt Hon Mr. Andrew Mitchell MP, Former UK Minister for International Development, Deputy Foreign Secretary and Shadow Foreign Secretary.
Our gratitude to all speakers, moderators, exhibitors, and delegates who travelled near and far to contribute to these vital conversations. As we move forward, collaboration remains most essential in ensuring that financial resources are mobilised and can reach those who need them most during this critical time.
Read the Executive Summary to learn about discussion highlights from the 2025 Summit, view photo snippets from the day, and find relevant resources around these topics.
2025 speakers included:
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Rt Hon Mr Andrew Mitchell MP
MP for Sutton Coldfield, Former UK Minister for International Development, Deputy Foreign Secretary and Shadow Foreign Secretary
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Hanna Jahns
Director B - Strategy and Policy
DG ECHO - European Commission
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Béatrice Butsana-Sita
CEO
British Red Cross
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Dr. Annette Detken
Head of ISF & Global Shield Solutions Platform
InsuResilience Solutions Fund
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Sir Paul Collier
Professor of Economics and Public Policy
Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University
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Lasitha Perera
CEO
Development Guarantee Group (DGG)
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Simone Utermarck
Senior Director, Sustainable Finance
International Capital Market Association (ICMA)
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Haje Schütte
Deputy Director
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
2025 HEADLINE SPONSORS:
Agenda Overview - 2025
8:30 – 9:30 | Registration Opens
9:30 – 10:00 | Opening Keynote Address
10:00-10:30 | Presentation: Insights From the Field - Mapping the Opportunities, Barriers, Instruments and Players So Far
10:30 – 11:30 | Panel: Reimagining the Financial Markets to Enhance Humanitarian Impact
11:30 – 12:00 | Coffee Break
12:00 - 13:00 | Discussion: Blended Finance for Humanitarian Challenges & Crisis; Potential for Scale
13:00 – 14:00 | Networking Lunch
14:00 - 15:00 | Fireside Chats
1: International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) - from the Beginning to the Future
2: Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance (IFRC-DREF Insurance)
15:00-16:00 | Panel: Linking Private Markets and Climate Finance to Improve Resilience and Emergency Response for the Most Vulnerable Countries
16:00-16:30 Coffee Break
16:30-17:30 | Closing Plenary: CEO Panel - What's Next for Humanitarian Financing?
How to get involved in 2026
Sponsorship/Exhibiting
The Humanitarian Finance Summit offers tailored packages to organisations with innovative, exciting ideas, projects, products or services that support event attendees and practitioners in the innovative finance space.
Sponsorship and exhibition packages offer visibility, networking and lead generation opportunities. To discuss these opportunities, you can contact our team by pressing the button below.
Delegate Ticket
Tickets provide full access to the Humanitarian Finance Summit content and exhibition, including all sessions, lunch, and networking opportunities. The event featured a full day of activities starting with a networking breakfast, followed by an opening keynote and multiple sessions deep-diving into humanitarian innovative finance solutions. Registration is yet to open, but for more information follow the link below.
About AidEx
AidEx is the leading platform for professionals in humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and international development. It hosts a series of annual events for its global community, including the flagship AidEx Geneva and the co-located Development2030 in October, as well as the AidEx Nairobi satellite event in June, and sector-specific gatherings like the Humanitarian Finance Summit in February.
AidEx events bring together leaders from across the aid, relief, and development sectors to explore the latest innovations, engage with new suppliers, and foster meaningful relationships. In 2023, AidEx Geneva welcomed over 3,000 participants from 94 countries, including representatives from UN agencies, Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, local and international NGOs, donors, foundations, governments, and the private sector.
About Humanitarian Finance Forum
The Humanitarian Finance Forum was formed to connect humanitarian actors with resources to access funding through capital markets. We aim to gather leading experts from humanitarian institutions, international organisations, foundations, investment banks, insurance companies and governments, with a common mission to increase funding for humanitarian goals.
For participation enquiries, please contact:
Phoebe Frewin
Marketing Manager
E: phoebe.frewin@aid-expo.com
For exhibiting and sponsorship enquiries, please contact:
Iska Meyer-Wendecker
Commercial Director
T: +44 (0) 7545 540513
E: iska.meyer-wendecker@aid-expo.com
Interested in speaking, please contact:
Andreas Schonning
Content Director
E: andreas.schonning@aid-expo.com