12th Regional Conference of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Middle East and North Africa Beirut, Lebanese Republic September 25–26, 2026
The 12th Regional Conference of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Middle East and North Africa was held in Beirut, Lebanese Republic, on September 25–26, 2026. Hosted and organized by the Lebanese Red Cross in cooperation with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the conference was attended by a delegation from the Islamic Committee of the International Crescent (CIC) , comprising:
– H.E. Ambassador Ali Mahmoud Buhedma, ICIC President.
– Dr. Mohamed Hamad Elasbali, ICIC Executive Director.
The conference proceedings opened under the patronage and in the presence of the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Joseph Aoun. Participants included leaders and representatives of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies from across the region, alongside Kate Forbes, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and Dr. Antoine Zoghbi, President of the Lebanese Red Cross.
Speeches were delivered at the opening session by General Joseph Aoun, the President of the Lebanese Republic , Dr. Antoine Zoghbi, President of the Lebanese Red Cross; Ms. Kate Forbes, IFRC President; Mr. Abdullah bin Suhail, Secretary-General of the Arab Red Crescent and Red Crescent Organization (ARCO) ; Dr. Mohammad Al-Hadid, President of the Jordan Red Crescent and Chairman of the 11th MENA Regional Conference (2024); and Mr. Georges Kettaneh, Secretary-General of the Lebanese Red Cross, the conference proceedings continued over the course of October 25–26, 2024.
Key themes and discussions at the conference included:
Upholding International Humanitarian Law: In his address, President Aoun emphasized that protecting first responders , medical , humanitarian personnel and ensuring their safe access—is a “legal and humanitarian obligation, not a choice.”
Safety of Volunteers and Staff: A review of the immense sacrifices made by field teams amidst the region’s ongoing crises, coupled with a call to ensure humanitarian workers are not treated as targets.
Localization of Humanitarian Action: Participating delegations focused on the necessity of involving National Societies in setting priorities and directing resources so they can lead local responses, rather than merely acting as implementers.
“From Amman to Beirut” Session: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority chaired a session to follow up on the outcomes of the “Amman Declaration 2024″—issued during the 11th Regional Conference held in Amman—and to review national responses to regional crises.
The conference concluded officially with the adoption of the “Beirut Declaration,” which sets forth a renewed set of commitments for joint humanitarian action in the region. Its provisions focus on strengthening the capacities of National Societies and locally led humanitarian action, protecting volunteers in the field, enhancing regional and international partnerships, and supporting resource mobilization and financial sustainability to address growing humanitarian needs.
The ICIC delegation held several meetings with Ms. Kate, IFRC President; the representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); the head of the IFRC Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa; and delegations from National Societies representing Lebanon, Libya, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Palestine, Morocco, Algeria, Turkey, Malaysia, Tunisia, Iran, Bahrain, and Canada. These meetings addressed bilateral relations and topics of mutual interest.
