Robert Mardini Explained

Predecessor2:Bertrand Levrat

Robert Mardini (born 6 August 1972) is a Lebanese-Swiss humanitarian. He served as Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from 2020 to 2024.

Early life and education

Mardini was born and raised in Tripoli, Lebanon. He was educated at the Lycée Franco-Libanais Alphonse de Lamartine and at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, where he was awarded a Master of Science in civil engineering and hydraulics in 1996.[1]

Professional career

Mardini joined the ICRC in 1997, coordinating water engineering programmes in Rwanda and Iraq, before leading the organization's Water & Habitat Unit with projects in over 40 countries, improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene services to around 14 million people per year. He went on to hold various senior positions within the organization, including Deputy Director General (2010–2012), Regional Director for the Near and Middle East (2012–2018) and Permanent Observer of the ICRC to the United Nations & Head of Delegation in New York (2018–2020). In this latter role, Mardini steered the ICRC's diplomatic engagement with the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, Member States and UN entities to influence decisions on humanitarian issues across policy themes and geographic contexts.[2] [3] [4] He has spoken and published on a broad range of key issues such as armed conflict and humanitarian crisis in the Middle East;[5] [6] [7] international humanitarian law;[8] sexual violence in conflict;[9] humanitarian action and counter-terrorism measures;[10] and the future of humanitarian action.[11] Mardini was appointed ICRC Director-General in October 2019, and took up his position on 30 March 2020.[12] In October 2020, he received the EPFL Alumni Award for his 'exceptional career'.[13]

Mardini's tenure began during the COVID-19 pandemic, quickly followed by the Russia-Ukraine international armed conflict, which precipitated a period of extraordinary humanitarian needs worldwide.[14] At the same time, the gap between global humanitarian funding and needs grew wider than ever, with record shortfalls across the sector[15] necessitating significant budget reductions.[16] Mardini finished his four-year mandate as Director General in March 2024 and left the institution after almost three decades.

Personal life

Mardini has dual Lebanese and Swiss citizenship. He is married and has two daughters.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Werlé . Christine . 9 September 2021 . Enfant de la guerre . 2023-03-30 . corporate.migros.ch . fr.
  2. International Humanitarian Law is key to upholding multilateralism and addressing global challenges. 9 November 2018. www.icrc.org.
  3. Web site: Developing capacity for peace and security of African States requires sustained partnerships. 20 November 2018. International Committee of the Red Cross.
  4. Web site: First ever ICRC contribution to Security Council debate on climate – Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre. www.climatecentre.org.
  5. News: Viewpoint: Why it is unconscionable to attack Syria's aid workers. BBC News . 23 September 2016.
  6. Web site: Iraq: ICRC strongly condemns use of chemical weapons around Mosul. 3 March 2017. International Committee of the Red Cross.
  7. Frontline: Providing care in the midst of the crisis in Yemen. John. Zarocostas. 29 May 2017. The Lancet. 389. 10081. 1785. 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31199-6. 28495158 . 205986570 .
  8. Web site: Robert Mardini: "Il est urgent de croire au droit international humanitaire". 6 July 2018. rts.ch.
  9. Web site: We must create and safeguard an environment that prevents sexual violence. 23 April 2019. International Committee of the Red Cross.
  10. ICRC statement to UN Security Council opens debate on preventing and combating financing of terrorism. 28 March 2019. www.icrc.org.
  11. Web site: In a changing world, humanitarianism needs to be smarter and more innovative than ever. The National. 31 December 2019 .
  12. Web site: ICRC appoints new director-general. 31 October 2019. International Committee of the Red Cross.
  13. EPFL. 10 May 2020. "The pandemic comes on top of other crises managed by the ICRC". en.
  14. Web site: Humanitarian needs to deepen in dozens of conflict zones as world’s attention wanes ICRC .
  15. Web site: What the latest funding data says about the humanitarian system . The New Humanitarian.
  16. Web site: Red Cross cuts 2024 budget as donations fall . Reuters.

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