The Statutes of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement state “The International Conference is the supreme deliberative body for the Movement. At the International Conference, representatives of the components of the Movement meet with representatives of the States Parties to the Geneva Conventions, the latter in exercise of their responsibilities under those Conventions and in support of the overall work of the Movement in terms of Article 2. Together they examine and decide upon humanitarian matters of common interest and any other related matter” (Article 8).

The Conference meets - in principle - every four years. It brings together the

•  Recognized Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (183)
•  States party to the Geneva Conventions (192)
•  International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
•  International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation)

Each of these members has one vote.


The Conference is the only major event with decision making powers that brings together representatives of States Party to the Geneva Conventions and a global Movement, comprising representatives of autonomous national organisations - the National Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies - with their International Federation and the ICRC with its specific mandate established in the Geneva Conventions. It provides a non-political forum for dialogue on humanitarian matters of common interest and is widely seen as perhaps the most important humanitarian forum in the world bringing States Parties into dialogue with the components of the Movement.

The 1^st Conference met in 1867 in Paris. The 29^th Conference will meet on June 20-21, 2006 in Geneva.