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32nd RCRC International Conference kicks off in Geneva

Xinhua, December 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

The 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent opened in Geneva's International Conference Centre on Tuesday.

"This Conference is an opportunity for our Movement to join together with States to pursue our common objective of Humanity," International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) President Tadateru Konoe said in a keynote statement.

Amid an unprecedented humanitarian context, with over 80 million people in need of assistance, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer laid out in his opening speech the systemic and all-encompassing impact of conflicts and crises around the world.

"International power competition, unilateral action and protracted paralysis have become the new normal in the international system, taking a heavy toll on millions of people who suffer the consequences," he said.

"What will be most useful in the next two days is an ability to compromise: substance must win over suspicion, and progress must win over politicking. Let us decide on what is on the table, not on what some may fear is hiding beneath it," Maurer added.

Key discussions will include the challenges and opportunities in a fast changing humanitarian landscape, healthcare in danger, migration, protracted crises and resilience building in conflict, respect for international humanitarian law and humanitarian financing.

The International Conference, held from Dec. 8 to Dec. 10, is a unique global forum bringing together the leaders from over 190 State Parties to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Endit