IFRC adopts ambitious blueprint for coming decade

NAIROBI, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- The 17th General Assembly of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has ended in Nairobi with the unanimous adoption of Strategy 2020 -- a plan that lays out the collective commitments of its 186 members.

Strategy 2020 aims to better fulfill the potential of the Red Cross Red Crescent at all levels, and to develop sustainable approaches in addressing three key areas: disasters, health risks and social exclusion.

Crucially, it highlights that coping with increasing humanitarian needs will also require a change in mind-sets and attitudes to how we live, and relate to each other.

"Whilst appreciating our achievements, we are also aware of the humanitarian challenges that are looming on the horizon," IFRC President Tadateru Konoe said at the end of the meeting in Nairobi late on Saturday.

Konoe said the strategy reflects the world's largest humanitarian network's commitment to ensure that "we are collectively and individually positioned to support those who need us and pre-empt, wherever possible, suffering and despair."

"Put simply, through this strategy, we aim ultimately to show that the Red Cross Red Crescent is an agent of hope, peace and democracy," Konoe said.

Konoe, current President of the Japanese Red Cross with some 40 years experience in a variety of senior humanitarian positions, was elected president of the IFRC on the second day of the General Assembly.

He takes over from Juan Manuel Suárez Del Toro Rivero who served eight years in one of the world's most high profile and important humanitarian posts.

The General Assembly also supported IFRC policy on humanitarian diplomacy. The policy is again designed to enhance collective Red Cross Red Crescent capacity, this time to secure and protect humanitarian spaces and to ensure that the voices of the world's most vulnerable are heard in the world's halls of power.

"Our membership has recognized that we have a responsibility to proactively influence our governments, partners and donors, to ensure that their policies and decisions are always in the best interest of the most vulnerable," IFRC secretary general Bekele Geleta said.