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Kate Forbes elected President of Red Cross Federation

Kate Forbes, the new president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. (Photo: IFRC)

By Dennis Tarus | Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Forbes received 88 votes while Kenya's Abbas Gullet came second after receiving 75 votes.

American Kate Forbes has been elected the new President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Forbes was on Monday elected with 88 votes in favour out of 163 national chapters that took part in the vote.

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Kenya's Abbas Gullet, who was secretary general of the Kenyan Red Cross from 2005 until 2020, came second after receiving 75 votes.

Natia Loladze, president of Georgia’s Red Cross and IFRC vice-president, was eliminated in the first round, gathered 15 votes, and Egypt Red Crescent’s chief executive Ramy El Nazer, who amassed 22 votes, decided to withdraw from the race.

Former secretary general of the Kenyan Red Cross Abbas Gullet. (Photo: Red Cross)

Forbes will replace Francesco Rocca of Italy, who has held the position since 2017.

IFRC said in a statement that Forbes's election as President is a historic moment, marking her as only the second woman to hold this position.

"This milestone underscores the IFRC's continued commitment to diversity and gender equality in its leadership," IFRC said.

“Communities around the world are witnessing the impacts of climate change, geopolitical tensions and health emergencies. We know the challenges of our modern world demand addressing multiple issues at once. Now is the time to lean into our fundamental principles to deliver on our mission and make communities stronger,” Forbes said after her election.

An auditor by training, Forbes has been a member of the IFRC Board for the past 17 years. She most recently served as Chairperson of the IFRC Audit and Risk Commission.