Prof. (Dr) S.P. Agarwal, Secretary General of Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) in his address during the one-day State Secretaries Conference convened on February 24th, 2009 at Indian Council of Agricultural Research, National Agricultural Science Complex, New Delhii said “Millennium Development Goals devised by the United Nations are being supported by most of the Governments and developmental agencies. These primarily relate to reducing extreme poverty, arrest child mortality rate and fighting diseases & epidemics. To make a dent on these colossal tasks, Red Cross movement is also making concerted efforts. These millennium development goals demand our sincere attention and support. IRCS, as a member of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, is committed to contribute its all out efforts to make an impact. The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) has developed its four-year Strategic Development Plan (2009-12), together with sectoral goals and objectives in line with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Global Agenda Goals which shall also contribute towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations’’.

IRCS is embarking on finalizing its Strategic Development Plan 2009-2012. Efforts have been made to bring in all programmes that are being envisaged in different parts of India in the document as local needs differ in various parts of the country. The Development Plan sets the pace and defines Red Cross mission and objectives. It provides a framework for strategic development of the Indian Red Cross Society. It is an important communication and marketing tool that is aimed at accomplishing the objectives of the Red Cross Movement.

Mr. Bekele Geleta, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva was the Chief Guest for the Conference. Mr. Bekele has held several positions of eminence, such as Ethiopian Ambassador to Japan and a minister in the Ethiopian Government. In his inaugural address he praised the capacity, volunteer strength and strong roots in the community of the IRCS. He added that the Federation is committed to garner all possible support through its network for making the Strategic Plan of the Society a reality.

Dr. Salim J. Habayab, WHO Representative to India in his address said, “WHO and the Red Cross movement have been collaborating on different levels to provide better health care to the affected and vulnerable people. We are working together towards achieving Millennium Development Goals. We also share the important objective to reduce avoidable loss of life, burden of disease and disability in crises”.

Twenty-six State Red Cross Secretaries, eight of whom are also elected Managing Body Members participated in the Conference that adopted the IRCS Strategic Development Plan.