PH Underscores Trust, Cooperation Keys to Achieving Conference’s Aspirations
Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva Ambassador Evan P. Garcia delivers the Philippine Statement at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent on 11 December 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Geneva PE photo)
GENEVA 20 January 2020 –– Building trust and maintaining relationships and cooperation are keys to achieving the aspirations of the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (33rd IC), the Philippines stressed in its statement during the global conference that gathered governments and National Societies worldwide on 11 December 2019.
“While governments have the primary role in humanitarian action, we underscore the importance of continuing to build trust and maintaining strong relationships with the ICRC, the IFRC and our other partners in this Conference, as we believe that the key to achieving the Conference’s aspirations is us - working together for the great cause of humanity and the world,” Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva Ambassador Evan P. Garcia said.
The Philippines also joined other governments and National Societies in taking a “forward-looking” approach to address the diverse concerns in humanitarian action. It shared that, in light of the complex and converging issues of the world, the Philippines continues to strengthen its multi-hazard, impact-based forecasting and early-warning action systems as basis for developing social protection programs that are also gender- and rights-based. It is also pushing for the legislation of a more responsive DRR law that will provide for the creation of an institution with adequate mandate and capacity to lead and harmonize the country’s DRR and resiliency efforts.
The IC, which happens every four years, is the supreme deliberative body of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Movement) where Parties to the Geneva Conventions come together with the components of the Movement to discuss key matters of humanitarian concern and to make joint commitments. “Act Today, Shape Tomorrow”: Improving the lives of people affected by armed conflict, disasters and other emergencies is the core objective of the 33rd IC. This year’s IC aims to influence the global humanitarian agenda and explore current and future challenges affecting people and communities and the vulnerabilities that they face on the ground. END
For more information, visit https://www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinGenevaUN/.