19th ICVA General Assembly

The Minutes of the 18th General Assembly held on 18 and 19 May 2021 were adopted by the members present at the 19th General Assembly.

The ICVA 2030 Strategy, endorsed by the General Assembly in 2021, serves as the guiding framework for ICVA’s endeavours from 2022- 2030. Derived from the 2023 Strategy, the Strategic Priorities set out a more targeted focus for the period of 2025-2027. This document outlines the priorities, key initiatives, and success benchmarks for the three focus areas of forced migration, coordination, and financing, and the five cross-cutting areas. 

Building upon these priorities, the Secretariat will formulate a three-year plan (2025-2027) for Board approval in November 2024. This plan will encompass specific decisions regarding ICVA’s work content, enabling strategies, resource planning, requirements, and a set of performance indicators.

Members adopted  the Strategic Priorities 2025-2027  at the General Assembly on 20 March 2024.

The ICVA Statutes set out the mandate of ICVA, and serve as the official framework governing ICVA and the General Assembly. Amendments to these statutes require approval from the General Assembly.  The  ICVA Board recommended several modifications for members’ consideration and approval at the 19th General Assembly on 20 March 2024.

Key changes include:

1. Bilingual Statutes: The statutes will be available in both English and French, with the French version prevailing.
2. Annual General Assembly: The General Assembly must convene annually, specifically to approve ICVA’s audited financial statements.
3. Board member residency requirement:  At least one board member must be resident in Switzerland.
4. Clarity and precision:  Enhanced clarity including around the membership application process and appeals, voting at the General Assembly, removal and resignation of board members, and additional details related to board meetings.

These proposed amendments, aligning with changes in Swiss law, have undergone a legal review to ensure compliance.

Members are also invited to propose changes, but none were received.

Members adopted the amendments to the Statues at the General Assembly on 20 March 2024.

ICVA encourages its members to demonstrate a strong commitment to humanitarian principles and standards. Humanitarian principles, such as humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, serve as the fundamental values that guide humanitarian action. The standards encompass guidelines and benchmarks for delivering effective and quality humanitarian assistance. They help ensure that aid is provided in a coordinated, accountable, and transparent manner. 

By upholding both humanitarian principles and standards, ICVA and its members contribute to the ethical and efficient delivery of humanitarian aid, fostering a collective effort to address global challenges and support vulnerable populations in times of crisis.

The principles and standards are related to:

• Humanitarian principles
• Principles of Partnership
• Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse
• Quality and accountability in humanitarian action
• Climate and the environment

Committing to these standards reflects a dedication to best practices, transparency, and accountability in humanitarian action, contributing to the overall effectiveness of ICVA and its members in providing assistance to those in need.

For further information about the standards read the Reaffirmation of principles document.

Members  reaffirmed their commitment to the principles and standards they adopted individually when joining ICVA and/or reaffirmed collectively in 2021.