A delegation from the Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS), headed by the Secretary-General of the Society Mubarak Al Hadi, Secretary General of BRCS, participated in the forty-ninth General Assembly meeting of the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organisation (ARCO) held in Saudi Arabia.
The meeting brought together presidents and representatives of Arab National Societies along with several international partners. The participants discussed means to strengthen humanitarian and voluntary work across the Arab region and to unify efforts in addressing common humanitarian challenges.
The General Assembly concluded with the “Riyadh Humanitarian Declaration”. The declaration emphasised the importance of keeping humanitarian work neutral and free from politicisation, while ensuring a safe and impartial environment that allows the National Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies to perform their roles without obstruction. It further underscored the necessity of supporting their efforts in capacity building and enhancing their overall preparedness.
Al Hadi emphasised that the declaration underscored the imperative of safeguarding the neutrality of humanitarian action and ensuring that it remains free from politicisation. It further highlighted the importance of creating a safe and impartial environment that enables National Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies to fulfill their missions without obstruction, while also strengthening their capacity-building initiatives and enhancing their overall readiness.
Al Hadi said the Riyadh Declaration reaffirmed the core principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent humanity, impartiality, independence, and universality. It stressed upholding international humanitarian law, integrating it into national laws, and protecting civilians and aid workers. It also called for keeping humanitarian work neutral, preventing its misuse, and strengthening regional and international coordination in disaster and crisis response.
The Secretary-General of the Bahrain Red Crescent Society stressed the importance of stronger cooperation between National Societies to build humanitarian capacity and better serve Arab communities. He also praised Saudi Arabia for its leadership and for hosting the event marking the 50th anniversary of the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organisation, noting that such efforts strengthen solidarity and promote greater unity in the region.