IC Forum 2026 in Geneva – challenges and the future of humanitarian aid
Bern, 19.02.2026 — More than 1,500 participants from 120 countries are expected to attend online or in person the 5th edition of the International Cooperation Forum Switzerland (IC Forum), to be held in Geneva on 26 and 27 February 2026. The event will bring together key players in international cooperation to discuss current challenges and the future of humanitarian aid. Participants will include federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Martin Pfister, as well as the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Tom Fletcher, and Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the ICRC, who will exchange views with a range of international experts.
Held over two days each year, the IC Forum provides a platform for in-depth dialogue and exchange between the key actors in international cooperation. The 2026 edition will focus on redefining humanitarian priorities in a changing geopolitical environment. The humanitarian system is undergoing profound changes that raise a number of questions. What will tomorrow's humanitarian aid look like? What role will the various actors play? How can we create maximum added value for the people concerned? Over two days, political leaders and representatives from international organisations, NGOs, the private sector and academia will debate these and other issues.
As the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions, Switzerland will place respect for humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law at the heart of the discussions. Talks will also focus on major crisis situations and the role and future of International Geneva.
The IC Forum will also showcase Swiss innovation in the field of international cooperation. Companies, SMEs and start-ups will be rewarded for their innovative solutions. After selection by a specialist jury, three winners will receive an IC Award, presented by Ignazio Cassis.
The IC Forum is organised jointly by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation of the FDFA, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research and the Peace and Human Rights Division of the FDFA.
“It's about alleviating suffering and creating prospects.”