Humanitarian action is affected by developments across different levels. Global dynamics and geopolitics shape the humantarian space. Internal and external pressures, as well as calls to change imbalanced power structures demand the humanitarian (eco)system to adapt continuously. Whilst these larger shifts are unfolding, disasters and conflicts hit, deepen or escalate, but never in quite the same way. KUNO’s interconnected themes provide a basis for critical dialogue, and learning across policy, practice, and research.