In the inaugural lecture of the IIEA’s Development Matters lecture series, which is supported by Irish Aid, Mr Mardini discusses the current humanitarian landscape including the many challenges faced by the ICRC in today’s conflicts. He covers issues from the nature of modern warfare, including autonomous weapon systems and the risks around data protection and misinformation, to the politicisation of aid. Mr Mardini also assesses the continuing challenges of responding to complex humanitarian needs during a global pandemic. In his address, Mr Mardini shares the ICRC’s priorities for the year ahead.

About the Speaker:

Robert Mardini is Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), responsible for steering the organisation’s global humanitarian activities and its 20,000 staff in more than 100 countries. With a master’s degree in civil engineering and hydraulics from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Robert began his ICRC career in 1997, going on to serve as Deputy Director-General (2010-2012), Regional Director for the Near & Middle East (2012-2018) and Permanent Observer to the United Nations and Head of Delegation in New York (2018-2020).