Press releases
Shaping the future of the world’s largest humanitarian movement 11 November
Italy’s Francesco Rocca elected President of world’s largest humanitarian network 6 November
News reports
Rising to the challenges in the humanitarian sector
Opinion piece by Elhadj As Sy, and Yves Daccord, Thomson Reuters, 9 November
Interview of Francesco Rocca, IFRC’s new president Aljazeera, 7 November
Interview of Julie Hall, Chief of Staff, IFRC Aljazeera, 7 November
Italy’s Francesco Rocca elected president of Red Cross Xinhua News, 7 November
Rocca a capo Croce Rossa internazionale Euronews, 7 November
Rocca a capo Croce Rossa internazionale ANSA, 7 November
Croix-Rouge: un président italien pour la Fédération internationale Swiss Info, 7 November
International aid body IFRC elects Turkey’s Kerem Kınık as vice president in charge of Europe Daily Sabah, 6 November
- For all enquiries, including for interviews on pressing humanitarian issues with Red Cross and Red Crescent officials, contact matthew.cochrane@ifrc.org and eschindler@icrc.org.
- For journalists interested in attending the Statutory Meetings, please email lea.salwan@ifrc.org to register.
Global gathering to shape future of world’s largest humanitarian movement
The leaders of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement gather in Antalya, Turkey, for a series of meetings that will shape the future of the world’s largest humanitarian movement.
The Statutory Meetings of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement bring together all 190 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, along with 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 6-11 November and comprise two separate meetings:
- The IFRC General Assembly – the highest decision-making body of the 190-member Federation
- The Council of Delegates – the body that also involves ICRC and that meets to discuss matters that concern the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as a whole
- Full programme of the meetings
Key highlights
Election of new IFRC President
The IFRC General Assembly’s first task was to elect a new IFRC President. The new President’s leadership and vision will be critical to ensuring that IFRC and National Societies can grow their support to the most vulnerable and isolated around the world.
The General Assembly also elected Vice Presidents and members of the IFRC Governing Board.
Press release: Italy’s Francesco Rocca elected President of world’s largest humanitarian network
Migration – prioritizing safety and assistance
More people are forcibly displaced than at any point since the end of the Second World War. Around the world, millions of people are fleeing persecution, armed conflict, violence and disasters in search of safety, and dignity. The Red Cross and Red Crescent is present at all points of these journeys, assisting and protecting people in need.
Next year, UN member states will adopt new Global Compacts on Migration and Refugees. Building on the resolution of the 2011 Movement gathering, the Council of Delegates will deliver a message to States, urging them to prioritize the safety of all migrants regardless of status, and to ensure their access to critical humanitarian services.
Nuclear weapons – working towards their elimination
The adoption and ratification earlier this year of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was a landmark achievement. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was a vocal advocate throughout these negotiations, urging States to seize this historic opportunity to prohibit and eliminate nuclear weapons based on existing commitments and international obligations.
However, the task is not yet done. The Council of Delegates will consider new steps to promote adherence to, and full implementation of, the new Treaty by all States.
Health – addressing mental health and psychosocial needs
Armed conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies, including those arising as a result of migration, can have considerable mental health and psychosocial consequences for people affected. While the humanitarian impact of these unmet needs is extensive – potentially affecting the society as a whole – mental health and psychosocial support are often not treated as priorities in humanitarian settings. The Council of Delegates will look at how the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement can better respond to this “hidden suffering”.
Other issues
The meetings will explore a range of other humanitarian issues, including the need to involve affected people in relief and recovery efforts; the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and; the looming threat of epidemics and pandemics.
In addition, and for the first time, the Meetings will dedicate one full day to the exploration of how current trends may impact humanitarian action in the future. The RC2 Forum will explore issues including ageing populations, decreasing trust in institutions, new technologies, new forms of violence, big data, and climate change.
Key contacts
IFRC:
Matthew Cochrane, Manager, Media and Advocacy/Spokesperson
+41 79 251 80 39 – matthew.cochrane@ifrc.org – @mahatmat
ICRC:
Elodie Schindler, Regional Communications Manager & Spokesperson – Europe and Central Asia
+41 79 536 92 48 – eschindler@icrc.org – @ESchindlerICRC
Media facilities during the meeting
The Statutory Meetings take place at the Kaya Palazzo Convention Centre in Antalya, Turkey. For journalists interested in attending the Statutory Meetings, please email lea.salwan@ifrc.org to register.
For all enquiries, including for interviews on pressing humanitarian issues with Red Cross and Red Crescent officials, contact matthew.cochrane@ifrc.org and eschindler@icrc.org.
Members of the media who wish to attend press briefings or carry out interviews with any of the delegates attending the Red Cross Red Crescent Statutory Meetings, are required to register for press accreditation. You are encouraged to register in advance as access on each day is limited.
Email lea.salwan@ifrc.org with the following information:
- full name of the person attending (as listed in ID)
- ID/Passport number
- email address
- mobile phone number
- media organization
On arrival at the Kaya Palazzo Convention Center all media personnel need to check-in at the registration desk to receive your press badge. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Statutory Meetings media registration desk is clearly signposted.
In addition to the briefings that will be organized for media, multilingual press releases will be issued. Please search for the hashtag #powerofhumanity on social media platforms to follow the discussions during the meetings.