Dushanbe hosted the biggest CA RCS annual event
By Ganjina Bobokulova, Information/Communication Officer, IFRC Representative in Tajikistan
Demographic challenges, migration, climate change, and globalization affect our people and communities with major consequences for our work. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies should adapt to these changes in order to do better by increasing its capacity to provide humanitarian services to vulnerable communities and people in need.
These words were the key message of the IFRC Secretary General during his visit to Dushanbe. It should be mentioned that it was his first visit to Central Asia and he was an honoured guest of Central Asian National Society Leadership Forum.
The Annual Central Asian National Societies’ (CANS) Leadership Forum was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 1-3 March 2011. The Forum brought together presidents and secretaries general of the region’s Red Crescent Societies. Hosted by the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan, the event was also attended by the International Federation’s Secretary General, Director of Europe Zone, and ICRC regional delegates.
The participants of the Forum discussed and defined regional priorities, strategies and plans of action. The main topics of the discussions were Adoption of Strategy 2020, initiatives undertaken in relation to Nairobi decisions within: FWRS, NS data bank; Humanitarian Diplomacy; Preparation for the 31stInternational Conference and Council of Delegates; Building sustainable community resilience through Disaster Risk Reduction in Central Asia; and Migration – Development of good mechanisms of cooperation between CANS and Russian RC on migration issues.
The Secretary General, Director of Europe Zone met with the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, ministers and high ranking officials,the leadership of Central Asian Red Crescent Societies as well as the ambassadors of Central Asian countries to Tajikistan and congratulations for the outstanding cooperation established with the government authorities.
“Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan successfully collaborates with government bodies of your country and I welcome work of Tajikistan parliament which was among first in the Central Asian region to adopt a separate law on Tajikistan’s RCS” stressed the IFRC Secretary General.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting with President Emomali Rahmon, Mr.Bekele Geleta noted that IFRC attached significance to cooperation with Tajikistan’s Red Crescent Society and considered its activity more efficient among similar organizations operating in the region.
During the meeting with the IFRC Secretary General, the President of Tajikistan proposed to open in Dushanbe a regional center of Central Asian National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
The third day was devoted to Migration issues. The representatives of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Russian Red Cross, and the International Committee of Red Cross discussed the strengthening of relationship and cooperation on migration issues between Central Asian National Societies and Russian Red Cross.
“I want to share with you that, both the Secretary General and myself were highly impressed by the work by the Tajikistan Red Crescent, the staff, the members, the chairpersons and not at least the engaging and charming young volunteers, whom meet us upon arrival and stayed with us until our departure. We could not have asked for better arrangement and warmer hospitality. The warm atmosphere started at our arrival and warm and generous assistance was extended at all levels during the professional and efficient program”, noted Anitta Underlin, the IFRC Europe Zone Director.
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