2021

The Center’s Delegation Holds High-Level Meetings in Geneva

The Center organized a visit of its six Members to Geneva on 2–3 December 2021 to advance cooperation with partner institutions, including UNOG, WHO, WTO, UNHCR, UNAIDS and WEF. The visit focused on strengthening multilateralism, addressing challenges exposed by the pandemic and supporting sustainability in the post-COVID-19 era.

The delegation included former Presidents Valdis Zatlers (Latvia), Mladen Ivanic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Ivo Josipovic (Croatia), and former Prime Ministers Zlatko Lagumdzija (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Petre Roman (Romania) and Igor Luksic (Montenegro).

The group held meetings with ICRC Vice-President Gilles Carbonnier; WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; and UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Gillian Triggs.

ICRC briefed participants on its global humanitarian work supporting victims of conflict. The delegation expressed appreciation for the organization’s efforts.

Dr. Tedros updated attendees on pandemic developments, thanked the Center for advocating vaccine equity, and proposed preparing an MoU to expand cooperation. During the meeting, former Latvian President Valdis Zatlers presented the Nizami Ganjavi International Award.

Ms. Triggs shared updated displacement figures, noting that 82.4 million people worldwide have been forced from their homes, including 26.4 million refugees. She emphasized the increasing importance of UNHCR’s work, and participants commended the agency’s efforts to support displaced populations.