Lebanese President Receives 'Beirut Declaration 2026' at 12th Regional Conference of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Beirut, Oct 9 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received on Friday the “Beirut Declaration 2026” for the 12th Regional Conference of Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies in the Middle East and North Africa, which was hosted by the Lebanese capital on September 25 and 26. The Lebanese Presidency said in a statement that President Aoun received the declaration during a meeting with Christian Cardozo, Director of the ICRC Regional Delegation for the Middle East, and Robin Romero, Acting Head of the ICRC Delegation in Lebanon and Iraq, in the presence of George Katani, Secretary General of the Lebanese Red Cross. President Aoun expressed his appreciation for the work carried out by Red Cross and Red Crescent societies “in serving humanity and safeguarding human dignity.” The Lebanese Presidency noted that the declaration focused on “strengthening collective action and protection, and ensuring the sustainability of the work of National Societies in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as protecting humanitarian service providers, respecting international humanitarian law, and protecting civilians in the face of modern means of warfare.” The declaration called for “protecting National Societies and preserving their independence, enhancing their role, mobilizing local resources, strengthening financial sustainability, investing in volunteers and youth, enhancing preparedness, and making humanitarian diplomacy a coordinated, professional, and continuous approach and set of practices across every National Society.” The declaration also included “a commitment to stand together, protect humanitarian service providers, strengthen National Societies, support locally led humanitarian action, and deepen solidarity and partnership.” It affirmed “working together to ensure that humanitarian action in the Middle East and North Africa remains field-based, safe, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of both people and communities.” (End) A.Y.B. / R.J.