Visit to Brazil of the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger

In the week in which we celebrate World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, received the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, on 11 May, at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia.

Mirjana Spoljaric is the first woman to hold the position in the organization's more than 160 years of existence.

Minister Mauro Vieira and the ICRC President discussed the global humanitarian situation, in particular the situation in Ukraine and Syria, in the light of Brazil's growing role in humanitarian issues. Recognizing the high profile of Brazil's relationship with the Committee, they highlighted the importance of bilateral strategic dialogue as a mechanism for exchanging information and analyzing the situation on the ground in various contexts of armed conflicts and humanitarian emergencies.

The ICRC occupies a unique place among international organizations focused on humanitarian assistance and protection for its impartiality and experience on the ground. Founded in 1863 with its headquarters in Switzerland, the Committee's humanitarian mission is to protect the life and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence, as well as to provide them with assistance, under the principles of neutrality and independence. It promotes respect for international humanitarian law and its implementation in the national legislation of each country.