Key Documents in Force

The Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Statutes of the Movement) define the overall framework according to which coordination among Movement components is organized. In particular, different types of Movement coordination-related responsibilities are entrusted with the Movement components in Articles 3.3 (National Societies), 5.2 (ICRC), 6.4 (IFRC) and 7 (cooperation among Movement components) of the Statutes.

The Statutes of the Movement are complemented by the Movement Coordination for Collective Impact Agreement (Seville Agreement 2.0), adopted by the Council of Delegates in 2022, which constitutes the specific normative framework in force for Movement coordination. By adopting the Seville Agreement 2.0, the Movement reaffirmed its commitment to enhance its collective impact through a more inclusive approach to the coordination among its components, and this at all times, but also in particular in situations triggering a collective response (large-scale crises and emergencies), as well as in all areas of functional cooperation (international humanitarian law, National Society development, Fundamental Principles, integrity, etc.). The main difference between this new agreement and the old 1997 Seville Agreement is the replacement of the concept of lead agency by those of “convener” and “co-convener”, with the latter placing the host National Society at the centre of a collective response and promoting a more collaborative and inclusive approach to Movement coordination. Its adoption was facilitated by the “Strengthening Movement Coordination and Cooperation” process (2013-2024), through which a new approach matured, and new tools were developed.

In addition, in 2024, the ICRC and the IFRC have developed and signed the “ICRC-IFRC Co-convener roles table” and its annex. This table provides further details on the functions and responsibilities of the ICRC and the IFRC, when they are co-convener as well as in situations where they do not act as co-convener. Lastly, the annex to the table outlines the functions and activities that may be attributed to IFRC in relation to a disaster or other crisis occurring concurrently during a situation where the ICRC is engaged as a co-convener (armed conflict or internal strife and their direct results).