The 13th session of the General Assembly of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies took place in Geneva from Wednesday, 7 November to Saturday 10 November.
Discussions included global public health issues with particular emphasis on HIV/AIDS, emphasis on the role of volunteers in building an effective human and financial resource base and public co-operation and partnerships between national societies and their Governments. This year's statutory meetings did not include an international conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at which Government nominees attend. The Irish Red Cross Society was represented by the acting secretary general and a senior official from my Department who is a Government nominee to the central council of the society.