The Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS) is proudly being represented by Mrs. Audrey Adam, Vice-President of the RCSS, in the upcoming 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. With the theme Navigate Uncertainty – Strengthen Humanity, the conference is set to take place at the International Conference Centre of Geneva, Switzerland, from October 28 to October 31, 2024.
Held every four years, the International Conference is the forum in which all one hundred and ninety-six (196) State signatories to the Geneva Conventions, the one hundred and ninety-two (192) National Societies, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), come together to debate, and decide on pressing humanitarian issues of common interest and concern.
Today’s global challenges are both the cause and consequence of compound, interconnected crises that are growing in scale and severity. As conflicts, natural disasters, climate change and health emergencies take an increasing toll, the world faces unprecedented levels of humanitarian needs and protection challenges which calls for stronger humanitarian action.
While States have the primary responsibility to address humanitarian needs, the Movement remains committed to engaging with them to tackle these pressing challenges, based on the shared mission and complementary mandates of its components.
The Conference will therefore provide a platform for dialogue among the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and States party to the Geneva Conventions to decide what needs to be done to strengthen the impact of humanitarian responses to new, ongoing and future crises.
Its apolitical nature ensures that the focus remains steadfastly on humanitarian action and our collective commitment to save lives and alleviate suffering. Discussions will focus particularly on:
- compliance with international humanitarian law
- enhancing the protection of civilians and humanitarians
- the promotion of sustainable locally led humanitarian action
- anticipation, preparation and adaptation in the face of the climate challenge
- the importance of ‘disaster law’
- the impact of digital technologies in warfare.
Against this backdrop, participants will convene to strategize and pursue the Movement’s priorities. The gathering will focus on three key pillars:
- Respect International Humanitarian Law
Given today’s highly polarized environment, with more than a hundred (100) armed conflicts going on around the world, the International Conference in 2024 will be a timely moment to reaffirm the relevance and importance of IHL to protect people affected by armed conflict, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions.
- Respond to Humanitarian Needs and Risks
The Conference will reaffirm humanitarian action’s crucial grounding in the Fundamental Principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. It will consider how, leveraging innovation, digitalization and partnerships can contribute to bringing humanitarian action to scale, while re-affirming the consensus to ensure respect and protection of humanitarian data online and offline. It will also consider the investments and actions needed to anticipate and prepare for crisis, to mitigate their worst impacts on already-vulnerable people and build greater resilience, including through comprehensive disaster reduction and adaptation to climate change.
- Enable Sustainable Locally Led Action
Enabling conditions for greater locally led action is an important part of access to protection and assistance for those individuals most affected. The Movement must continue to support and strengthen its member National Societies and their networks of local branches to promote community resilience and protect and assist local communities in the longer term. Demonstrating respect, support and empowerment of National Societies through long-term investment in their institutional capacity is critical for the success of local principled action. This also requires finding effective funding models to ensure the sustainability of National Societies.
The diversity brought by the Conference is a profound strength, bringing a wealth of experiences, insights and innovative solutions to the table. This broad spectrum of backgrounds fosters resilience and enriches our discussions for impactful humanitarian outcomes.
Overall, the meeting will act as a critical catalyst for change. It will embody the collective belief in the power of international humanitarian law and neutral, impartial, and independent humanitarian action. It will help shape law, policy, and standards for disaster risk management and disaster risk reduction. The Conference will be a testament to the united efforts to uphold these values and address the pressing humanitarian needs of today and those in the future.