General Assembly

The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). It takes place every two years and sets the overall policy and vision for our network.

About the General Assembly

The IFRC General Assembly convenes representatives from all 191 member National Societies to vote on IFRC-wide strategies, policies, plans and budgets.

The General Assembly is the supreme governing body of the IFRC. It shapes the collective response we, as a network, want to provide to humanitarian challenges already affecting our communities or that may affect them in the future.

Each National Society delegation has equal rights expressed by a single vote—meaning we are truly run by our members, for our members.

The General Assembly is also an opportunity for members to celebrate our collective achievements and connect with one another.

National Societies around the world take turns hosting the General Assembly in their home country. When it is held in the same year as the International Conference, the main convening of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the General Assembly is hosted in Geneva, Switzerland.

You can read the functions of the General Assembly in Article 23 of our Constitution.

Watch: Opening video for the 23rd session

In pictures: 23rd session of the IFRC General Assembly