The delegation of Kazakhstan participated in the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent “Overcoming Uncertainty – Strengthening Humanity”, held in Geneva from 28 to 31 October 2024,El.kz cites MFA.
In the face of current global challenges, the unpredictability of world events and the ever-increasing humanitarian needs, the conference provided a platform for dialogue between the world’s largest humanitarian network (including 191 national societies) and 196 states parties to the Geneva Conventions to identify the measures needed to improve the impact of humanitarian action in new, current and future crises.
The Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, Iñazio Cassis, and the presidents of the International Committees of the Red Cross, Mariana Spolaric, and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Kate Forbes, in their welcoming remarks, noted that the 34th International Conference was taking place at a critical moment when the unacceptable costs of armed conflict demand a renewal of common humanity. Conference organizers called on states to renew their commitment to international humanitarian law (IHL) and put the protection of civilians first.
During the discussions of global problems in the field of humanitarian law, the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan in Geneva Yerlan Alimbayev shared Kazakhstan’s experience in providing international humanitarian assistance, hosting Astana process to resolve the Syrian conflict, repatriation of our citizens from the conflict zones of Syria and Iraq, sending a peacekeeping contingent of Kazakhstan to the UN mission in the Golan Heights and others.
As a confirmation of our country’s commitment to the principles of international humanitarian law, the Kazakh diplomat spoke about the launch by Kazakhstan, together with Brazil, China, Jordan, France and South Africa, of the Global Initiative to strengthen the political will of states to comply and implement IHL.
During the conference, five members of the Standing Commission of the International Movement were elected. It also resulted in the adoption of five resolutions relating to respect for international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, the impact of ICT on warfare and ensuring local action.