We are pleased to announce that with thanks to the enduring support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) 2026 will take place in the first quarter for 2026 but, in a modified format in line with the ambitions of the Humanitarian Reset.

We will start with a virtual week from 2-6 March followed by a three-day in-person HNPW from 10-12 March at the Geneva International Conference Centre.

• 2–6 March (Week 1): Online sessions
• 10–12 March (Week 2): In-person sessions at the CICG in Geneva

Every effort has been made to enhance efficiency in the management of the HNPW. Unlike in previous years, the 2026 event will be structured around two Network Days on Tuesday, 10 March, and Thursday, 12 March, with a central Community Day on Wednesday, 11 March, dedicated to the Keynote Session, joint sessions in the Areas of Common Concern (AOCC), and discussions on issues central to the Humanitarian Reset.

Given the shorter in-person timeframe, we kindly request all humanitarian networks and partnerships to avoid scheduling full-day (“whole-day”) meetings, where possible. Instead, please consider using the remote week for briefings and updates, and focus on concise, interactive sessions during the face-to-face days.

AOCC sessions will no longer be scheduled on the Network Days (Tuesday and Thursday). Instead, they will be integrated into the Community Day on Wednesday, 11 March. The procedures for AOCC engagement on Community Day and the roles of AOCC leads will be discussed at the upcoming HNPW Steering Committee meeting, to be convened in the coming days.

We will be sharing with network, partnership and AOCC focal points a more detailed information pack on the planning process and the deadlines for session and exhibition registration.

Please note that only registered HNPW networks and partnerships may organize sessions or exhibition stands. An overview of registered networks and partnerships is available under tab "Networks and Partnerships" above.

The event programme will be published under tab "Event Program" above, where participants can:

• Register for the overall event by creating an account
• Sign up for individual sessions via the interactive programme

Participating networks and partnerships are encouraged to invite their members and stakeholders directly to the sessions they organize. As in previous years, most sessions will be open to the wider public. Participants can search for sessions of interest by keyword or by organizing network/partnership on the event portal.

There is no attendance fee. Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel, accommodation, and visas. Nominal invitations for visa support will be provided by the inviting network or partnership to confirmed speakers and panelists, upon request. Please note that the HNPW Secretariat does not provide travel support or issue invitation letters.

About HNPW

Held annually since 2015, the HNPW is a unique event in the humanitarian sector. Unlike traditional conferences, it is shaped by more than 60 participating networks and partnerships, each of which organizes its own meetings, sessions, and exhibitions. These are complemented by joint sessions addressing Areas of Common Concern and cross-cutting humanitarian themes, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Outreach and Participation

Participating networks promote their involvement through social media, websites, and mailing lists, contributing to broad visibility and global participation. Attendees represent a diverse spectrum of humanitarian actors, including:

• UN agencies, funds, and programs
• NGOs and civil society organizations
• Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
• Government agencies and military actors
• Academia, media, private sector, and others

Organizing Sessions and Exhibition Booths

Sessions and booths can be organized by networks and partnerships registered with the HNPW (see the "Networks and Partnerships" tab). All proposed sessions must be approved by the relevant network, partnership, or Area of Common Concern (AOCC) focal point. Please consult the HNPW Event Guide for Session Organizers for detailed instructions.

Who Can Participate?

The HNPW is open to all individuals interested in humanitarian work.

• Primary participants are those invited by networks or partnerships, with access details for remote participation provided in their invitations.
• Others can browse the full program via the search function on the event portal and register for open sessions.
• Private sessions are accessible by invitation only.