Red Cross Red Crescent leaders gather to take action on global humanitarian priorities

The Statutory Meetings of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement take place every two years, bringing together leaders and youth representatives from 192 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as well as senior representatives of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The Statutory Meetings run from 19-23 June and comprise two separate meetings:

• 19-21 June: The IFRC General Assembly – The General Assembly is the IFRC’s highest decision-making body where National Societies gather with the IFRC Secretariat to discuss, review and address humanitarian priorities and operational challenges and map the future strategic direction and policies of the IFRC.
• 22-23 June: The Council of Delegates – The Council of Delegates is a body representing all components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which meets to discuss matters that concern the Movement as a whole, adopting resolutions on coordinated action and advocacy.

WHAT’S ON THE AGENDA?

Accelerating Climate Action

The existential threat posed by climate change and environmental crises represents one of the most significant challenges to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement today. Discussions will focus on harnessing the global reach, knowledge and influence of the Movement, bringing a new sense of urgency to efforts that help vulnerable communities adapt to and face climate risks.

Protecting and assisting migrants

Each year the number of people fleeing armed conflict, violence, persecution and the impacts of climate change continues to rise exponentially. For people forcibly displaced from their homes or leaving in search for better opportunities abroad, the journey to safety and dignity is often extremely hazardous. The Red Cross Red Crescent membership will reaffirm its commitment to harness its global network to protect and assist migrants at all points of their journeys, including to prevent and resolve the cases of the hundreds of thousands who go missing along migratory routes.

Preventing and responding to the impacts of war in cities

With armed conflicts increasingly fought in cities, there is mounting evidence of the devastating harm to civilians, including extensive and long-lasting physical and mental suffering, the destruction of homes and livelihoods, the collapse of services essential for human survival, and widespread displacement. The ICRC will lead discussions amongst Movement partners on collective efforts to prevent and respond to the growing humanitarian consequences of urban warfare.

Safeguarding humanitarian data

The data breach against the Movement discovered this year has highlighted a growing trend in cyber-operations targeted at humanitarian organisations. Data breaches risk causing severe consequences for the people those organisations serve – those that are already among the most vulnerable. The Movement will reaffirm its commitment and responsibility to implement data protection rules and cyber security measures. It will also emphasize the urgency of protecting humanitarian data and send a call from the Movement to States and other actors to protect humanitarian organisations online as they do offline.

Tackling inequities in health and well-being

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the growing gaps in health service provision but also highlighted the critical role played by National Societies and other local actors in meeting the humanitarian needs of affected communities. Building on experiences before, during and beyond COVID-19, discussions will focus on the need to invest in National Societies and  strengthen their auxiliary role with public authorities, while ensuring the wider Red Cross and Red Cross Movement is better placed to address inequities in health and well-being and is better prepared to respond to future shocks.

The full programme is available here.