IHFFC Annual Meeting 2021
On 22 and
23 March 2021, the Commission held its traditional annual meeting, for the first
time in a virtual format. During
the meeting, the Commission took time to reflect on the past year and the
extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic. The Commission has adapted its working
methods and was able to continue its operational work. The Commission took a
number of decisions by means of electronic communications. Among other things,
it re-elected the Bureau in line with the Rule of the Commission.
Throughout
the last year, the Bureau held regular virtual meetings. This facilitated the
preparation of decisions by the Commission, for instance to offer its good
offices in situations of armed conflict. In 2020, the Commission has offered
its services to Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as Ethiopia.
The
Commission is grateful for the continued support by States. It was pleased to
see significant and cross-regional support by 31 States and National
International Humanitarian Law Commissions for a substantial pledge in support
of the Commission. This pledge had been launched at the 33rd International
Conference of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.
During the annual meeting, the
Commission also continued
its deliberations in view of further enhancing its
operational readiness.
In particular, it took stock of the progress of Working
Groups established in 2019 to streamline and update internal guidelines and
working methods. The Commission also adopted the draft budget for the year 2022
which will be submitted to Member States for comments according to the
established Financial Procedures of the Commission.
This was the last annual meeting
of the Commission in its current composition. The States, which have recognized
the competence of the Commission, will convene in November 2021 in Berne to elect
the fifteen members of the Commission. The newly elected Commission will then hold
its first annual meeting in spring 2022 in Geneva.
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