[1] The HNPW is a forum where humanitarian aid practitioners and researchers can meet and discuss challenges to their work and collaborate on solutions.

[2][3][4] Attendees include staff from United Nations agencies, government, military, academia, humanitarian organizations, the Red Cross Movement, and civil society groups.

[2][5][6] The event is organised by the Leading Edge Programme, who took over from the Consultative Group for Emergency Preparedness and Response in 2017.

The Leading Edge Programme's secretariat is the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

[1] During the 2021 online event there were almost 250 topics, including localisastion, the climate crisis, and better encouraging anticipatory action in areas prone to humanitarian emergencies.