30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

The 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent addressed the humanitarian consequences of four main contemporary challenges: environmental degradation, including climate change; international migration; violence in urban settings; and emergent and recurrent diseases and other public health concerns.

General Debate

The general debate consisted of some 109 statements made by Governments and National Societies, and focused on the four main themes of the Conference and how they interact with each other.

On the question of climate change and environmental degradation, delegations emphasized the fact that climate change affects the poorest people in the poorest countries. They called on National Societies to raise awareness about environmental risks and strengthen disaster preparedness and risk reduction measures, in order to address the humanitarian consequences of climate change. National Societies requested that States devise comprehensive disaster response plans that use their capacity, as well as that of other similar organizations.

Concerning international migration, participants stressed that when considering this issue, underlying causes such as poverty, armed violence and conflict should be taken into account. They have also stated that National Societies have a duty to assist migrants regardless of their legal status, and the vulnerable status of women and children migrants was also pointed out.

With regard to urban violence, it was agreed by a number of delegations that such violence should be reduced and prevented. In particular, participants referred to concrete initiatives in order to reduce this, such as the 2006 Geneva Declaration on armed violence and development, or the important role that young people can play in this regard.

On the issue of health, several delegations expressed their concern about the growing impact of recurrent diseases, such as HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis. They also agreed that the Red Cross and Red Crescent could take specific action to combat these epidemics, and so it was important to strengthen them.

In conclusion, all representatives shared the view that collaboration between Governments, National Societies, NGOs and other like-minded organizations was crucial to meet these challenges, and that there was an urgency to deal with these issues. Proposed solutions include preventive measures, public awareness, partnerships, promptness and preparedness.

Election of the members of the Standing Commission

Nine candidates were running for the five seats of the Standing Commission, two from Africa, two from the Americas, three from Asia and two from Europe. 324 delegations were present and voting, including 172 National Societies, 152 States, the International Federation and the ICRC. The absolute majority was established at 163 votes.

The results were as follows:

Elected:

Dr Massimo Barra,
Italian Red Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213
Dr Mohammed Al-Hadid,
Jordan National Red Crescent Society . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Mr Adama Diarra,
Mali Red Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..187
Mr Steven E. Carr,
American Red Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..182
Mr Eamon Courtenay,
Belize Red Cross Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Not Elected:

Lady Jocelyn Keith,
New Zealand Red Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Dr Freddy Karup Pedersen,
Danish Red Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
MrWilliam A. Eteki Mboumoua,
Cameroon Red Cross Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Mr Tissa Manilal Abeywickrama,
Sri Lanka Red Cross Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Follow-up to previous conferences

Follow up of the Memorandum Of Understanding between Palestinian Red Crescent and Magen David Adom in Israel:

The text presented on the follow-up of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Palestinian Red Crescent and the MDA was unanimously welcomed by the conference and the report was adopted by consensus by all delegations. During the presentation, it was underlined that even if the MOU is not fully implemented, there is a strong spirit of cooperation between the actors involved. Considering the political context of the region, the members of the conference expressed their satisfaction and their hope for further development. In this perspective, it is interesting to stress that this encouraging view was shared by all the political actors engaged in the area, including Arab States, Arab Red Crescent Societies, Israel, the United States, the American Red Cross society and the European Union.

Overview of the pledges made at the 30th International Conference

340 individual and collective pledges were made for the period of 2008 to 2011, and beyond.

Concerning the main themes of the Conference:

On environmental degradation, representatives pledged to promote preparedness, risk reduction and management.

On urban violence, it was pledged to promote preventive measures, especially through education.

On health, delegations pledged to increase the scope of community-based help, as well as equal access to treatment.

Pledges were also made on other subjects, such as:

Restoring family links

Strengthening international humanitarian law mechanisms

Using IDRL Guidelines to review national legal framework

Reaffirming the role and nature of the ICRC and IFRC, as auxiliary and independent societies in the humanitarian field

Fighting the abuse of power

Also at the heart of pledges was the development of volunteer and youth centers to strengthen National Societies.

Resolutions adopted at the 30th International Conference

Were adopted on consensus all of the resolutions and declarations presented before the Conference, namely:

Draft Declaration: Together for humanity
Draft Resolution: Together for humanity
Draft Resolution: The specific nature of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement in action and partnership and the role of national societies as auxiliaries to the public authorities in the humanitarian field
Draft Resolution: Reaffirmation and implementation of international humanitarian law
Draft Resolution: Adoption of the guidelines for the domestic facilitation and regulation of international disaster relief and initial recovery assistance


R. M.