The 17th General Assembly of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has ended with the unanimous adoption of Strategy 2020 – a plan that lays out the collective commitments of its 186 members.
Strategy 2020 aims to better fulfill the potential of the Red Cross Red Crescent at all levels, and to develop sustainable approaches in addressing three key areas: disasters, health risks and social exclusion. Crucially, it highlights that coping with increasing humanitarian needs will also require a change in mind-sets and attitudes to how we live, and relate to each other.
“Whilst appreciating our achievements, we are also aware of the humanitarian challenges that are looming on the horizon,” said IFRC President Tadateru Konoé. “This strategy reflects our commitment to ensure that we are collectively and individually positioned to support those who need us and pre-empt, wherever possible, suffering and despair.
“Put simply, through this strategy, we aim ultimately to show that the Red Cross Red Crescent is an agent of hope, peace and democracy.”
Mr Konoe, current President of the Japanese Red Cross with some 40 years experience in a variety of senior humanitarian positions, was elected president of the IFRC on the second day of the General Assembly. He takes over from Juan Manuel Suárez Del Toro Rivero who served eight years in one of the world’s most high profile and important humanitarian posts.
The General Assembly also supported IFRC policy on humanitarian diplomacy. The policy is again designed to enhance collective Red Cross Red Crescent capacity, this time to secure and protect humanitarian spaces and to ensure that the voices of the world’s most vulnerable are heard in the world’s halls of power.
Said IFRC secretary general Bekele Geleta: “Our membership has reconignized that we have a responsibility to proactively influence our governments, partners and donors, to ensure that their policies and decisions are always in the best interest of the most vulnerable.”
The General Assembly also endorsed its first-ever policy on migration.
The contribution of millions of young people within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was recognized as a driving force and a potent agent of change. The General Assembly has committed to effectively promoting the participation of young people within Red Cross Red Crescent leadership, nationally and globally.
To support the President in IFRC governance, the new president will count on four elected vice-presidents representing four regions: Paul Birech (Kenya) for Africa, Dr. Jaslin U. Salmon (Jamaica) for the Americas, Dr. Mohamed Al Maadeed (Qatar) for Asia Pacific, Dr. Bengt Westerberg (Sweden) for Europe.
They will with a new Governing Board of the IFRC that comprises 20 National Societies: Australia, Austria, Bolivia, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Guatemala, Italy, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Russian Federation, South Africa, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, The Netherlands, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and United States. All elected officials will serve four-year terms and will play a crucial role in implementing IFRC Strategy 2020.
The international Red Cross Red Crescent meetings continue with the Council of Delegates from 23 to 25 November, which brings together the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the IFRC and National Societies to adopt new policies and strategies on major humanitarian issues, particularly internally displaced people, international migration, and the human cost of climate change, as well as the use of deadly weapons and the protection of medical workers and health facilities in armed conflicts.
More information about the General Assembly and the Council of Delegates can be found at www.ifrc.org.