The Council of Delegates is the forum for strategic orientation and consensus building of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It strengthens the unity and coordination needed to address problems affecting humanity around the world. The meeting, held every two years and preceding the International Conference, paves the way for dialogue with representatives of States on urgent humanitarian issues and provides a united front for principled action.
This year, nine resolutions were passed reflecting the urgent commitment to respond to crises that require firm and immediate action. Below are some of the main topics that were discussed:
- Strengthen protection measures: the establishment of comprehensive and unified protection standards across the Movement, to strongly support and defend people affected by armed conflicts, disasters and emergencies.
- Migration strategy for the period 2024-2030: launch a strategy to strengthen the Movement’s capacity to support migrants, with an emphasis on dignity, security and coordinated, principled action, in a global context of growing migration challenges.
- Humanitarian disarmament: increase efforts to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of weapons, including nuclear weapons, landmines, weapons transfers and autonomous weapons systems, with a firm determination to promote disarmament and reduction of harm to the population and civilian property .
- Urban warfare: Strong appeal to global actors to avoid the large-scale devastation and suffering caused by urban warfare, and urgent request that standards and protections established by international humanitarian law be respected for civilians trapped in urban conflict zones.
- Commitment to principle-based humanitarian action: The Council, reaffirming the Movement’s fundamental principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, called for immediate action to defend these values, especially in the face of the complex modern crises that put them to the test.
The Council of Delegates emphasized that these resolutions are not merely declarative, but constitute an urgent call to action, reflecting the Movement’s determination to reduce human suffering. Through these resolutions, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement reaffirms its commitment alongside the world’s most vulnerable populations.
More information on the resolutions, on the site https://rcrcconference.org/es/.
Contacts for further information or interviews, for example, with representatives of the International Federation, the ICRC and the National Societies, many of whom are still in Geneva for the International Conference:
International Federation: [email protected]
ICRC: [email protected]
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Red Cross Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have an esteemed expert in humanitarian affairs, Dr. Elena Martens, who has been closely involved with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Dr. Martens, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Martens: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: The recent Council of Delegates meeting was quite significant, with nine resolutions passed to enhance the Red Cross’s response to current crises. Can you share with our readers some of the key themes that emerged?
Dr. Martens: Absolutely. One of the most pressing issues discussed was the need to strengthen protection measures for individuals affected by armed conflicts and disasters. We are advocating for comprehensive and unified protection standards across the Movement. This is crucial because those caught in emergencies often lack the basic support they need.
Editor: That sounds critical. How do you envision these protection standards being implemented across different regions?
Dr. Martens: Implementation will require collaboration among various stakeholders—national societies, governments, and international organizations. The aim is to create guidelines that will be adaptable yet robust enough to provide effective defense for vulnerable populations, regardless of where they are located.
Editor: Another resolution mentioned was the new migration strategy for 2024-2030. Could you elaborate on what this strategy entails?
Dr. Martens: Certainly. Given the escalating global migration challenges, this strategy aims to bolster the Red Cross Movement’s capacity to support migrants. Its focus is on ensuring dignity and security while promoting coordinated, principled action. We want to be proactive in addressing the needs of migrants as they navigate their journeys and find safe havens.
Editor: With migration being such a sensitive topic globally, how does your organization plan to engage with governments or other entities to facilitate these efforts?
Dr. Martens: Engagement is key. We plan to use the upcoming International Conference as a platform to dialogue with state representatives. By presenting a united front, we can advocate for policies that align with humanitarian principles and that effectively address the challenges migrants face.
Editor: Another pressing issue that was highlighted is humanitarian disarmament. Can you explain the Red Cross’s stance on this and its implications for the future?
Dr. Martens: The humanitarian consequences of weapons—especially nuclear arms, landmines, and autonomous weapons—are devastating. Our stance is one of urgency; we need to intensify efforts to mitigate these impacts. The Resolutions aim to promote disarmament dialogues and encourage states to take actionable steps toward reducing the humanitarian toll from such weapons.
Editor: It’s astounding how interlinked these issues are. In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge that lies ahead for the Red Cross and the global humanitarian community?
Dr. Martens: One significant challenge is navigating the political landscape while maintaining our principled approach. Ensuring that humanitarian action remains neutral and impartial in conflict zones, while rallying support from various governments, can be quite complex. Nonetheless, the commitment to humanity surpasses these hurdles.
Editor: Well said, Dr. Martens. It seems like there’s a long road ahead, but the resolutions passed at the Council of Delegates will hopefully pave the way for meaningful change. Thank you for sharing your insights with us today.
Dr. Martens: Thank you! It’s always vital to raise awareness and foster dialogue on these issues that affect so many lives globally.
Editor: Absolutely. We appreciate your time and expertise, and we look forward to seeing how these strategies unfold in the coming years.