The largest humanitarian network in the world is changing its mind. American Kate Forbes was elected president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Monday. She thus becomes the second woman to fulfill this function.
“The election of Kate Forbes as President of the IFRC is a historic moment,” the organization said in a statement. “This milestone underlines the IFRC’s continued commitment to diversity and gender equality within its leadership team.”
A presidency focused on “climate change and migration”
Kate Forbes, former chair of the IFRC Audit and Risk Management Committee, active for four decades within its network, will replace the Italian Francesco Rocca, who held this position since 2017. For the IFRC, the focal points of this new presidency will be “climate change and migration”.
“Communities around the world are witnessing the impacts of climate change, geopolitical tensions and health emergencies,” Kate Forbes said in the release. “Now is the time to rely on our fundamental principles to fulfill our mission and make communities stronger,” she added.
Francesco Rocca was re-elected in December 2022, but decided to resign in June after a conflict of interest linked to his functions at the head of the Italian region of Lazio. The presidency of the IFRC, based in Geneva, is voluntary.