The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies held its 12th ordinary session from 23 to 27 October 1999. The main decisions taken are as follow:

• Ratification of the former Executive Council's appointment of Didier Cherpital to the post of Secretary-General. A 54-year-old French banker, Mr Cherpital will take over from George Weber, who resigned.

• Adoption of a new Constitution, whereby the Executive Council is renamed the Governing Board, invested with true decision-making powers and entrusted with certain responsibilities previously assumed by the General Assembly. The number of vice-presidents is reduced from eight to four and the number of member Societies increased from 16 to 20. The distribution of responsibilities and functions within the Movement remains the same.

• Adoption of Strategy 2010, whose purpose is "to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity". This document mentions four core areas on which the National Societies must focus their efforts: promotion of the Movement's Fundamental Principles and humanitarian value; disaster response; disaster preparednes; and health and care in the community.