The General Assembly and Council of Delegates of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement are held every two years in which the statutory businesses relating to the IFRC, ICRC and National Societies are transacted in the presence of the member National Societies. The International Conference, which is a diplomatic conclave, is held every four years, in which IFRC, ICRC and National Societies are joined by the Governments signatory to the Geneva Conventions. Hence, Govt. of India, being a signatory to the Geneva Conventions, also participates in the International Conference.
A four-member delegation from the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) attended three statutory meetings of the Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) from October 23 to October 31, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland. The first meeting was the General Assembly hosted by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); the second was the Council of Delegates hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); and the third was the 34th International Geneva Conference, co-hosted by both IFRC and ICRC. The IRCS delegation included Dr. Anant Pandhare, Vice Chairman; Dr. Suresh Kulkarni, Managing Body Member, Dr. Vanashree Singh, Joint Secretary, and Dr. Senjam Sunil Singh, Managing Body Member.
Significant deliberations and resolutions took place during the meetings, with a special focus on climate change, migration, family reunification, cybersecurity, youth volunteer mobilization, resource mobilization, and enhancing humanitarian strategies through research. Nearly 191 national societies and representatives from 196 signatory states participated in the convention. Indian delegates actively engaged in side events, discussions with other member societies, and interactions with exhibitors. The IRCS was tasked with drafting an agenda item on strengthening disaster risk governance through comprehensive disaster laws, policies, and plans. This culminated in a joint statement by the Indian delegates on behalf of the South Asian National Societies of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The drafted resolution was successfully passed during the conference.