Official working visit to Bern by Jakob Kellenberger, President of the ICRC

In the humanitarian field, the ICRC is Switzerland's main strategic partner at the operational, legal and political levels. To increase the impact of meetings between the FDFA and the ICRC, it was decided that an annual high-level meeting should be institutionalised at which the partners would deal with their strategic priorities. 

During their meeting, Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey and Mr Kellenberger addressed issues concerning the current challenges to international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians affected by armed conflict, and the preparation of the 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to be held in November 2011. The humanitarian situation in a number of specific armed conflicts was also discussed. 

Switzerland works closely with the ICRC in promoting the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, independence and impartiality. This attests to the degree of mutual trust between the ICRC and the FDFA which makes it possible to find constructive solutions to better meet the challenges of armed conflict.

Further information:

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
International humanitarian law
Protecting the civilian population in armed conflicts

Address for enquiries:

Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: (+41) 031 322 31 53
Fax: (+41) 031 324 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs