General Assembly

The General Assembly is the cornerstone of GCRI’s governance, ensuring that the organization’s mission is pursued with a unified, inclusive, and strategic approach. It provides a platform for global collaboration, ensuring that all member entities contribute to and benefit from GCRI’s collective efforts in risk management, resilience building, and sustainable development.

Authority:

• The GA is the highest decision-making body of the GCRI, holding the ultimate authority to make decisions on major policies, strategic directions, and critical initiatives.

• It has the power to amend GCRI’s statutes, foundational documents, and approve or reject major proposals.

• Decisions made by the GA guide the overall strategic direction of GCRI.

Composition:

• Global Membership: Comprising all members of the GCRI, including representatives from National Working Groups (NWGs), Regional Stewardship Boards (RSBs), Specialized Leadership Boards (SLBs), and Technical Councils (TCs).

• National Representatives: Delegates from each member country, representing national perspectives and priorities.

• Regional Delegates: Representatives from each regional entity to ensure regional issues and perspectives are integrated into global decisions.

• Technical and Advisory Members: Experts from various fields including risk management, security, sustainability, and technology.

Key Information:

• Biennial Meetings: The GA meets every two years to review progress, set strategic goals, and make decisions on critical initiatives. A mid-session can be called if necessary to address urgent matters.

• Consensus Decision-Making: All decisions are made by consensus, reflecting the collective will of all member entities. This ensures that all voices are heard and integrated into the decision-making process.

• Comprehensive Agenda: The GA agenda includes strategic planning, policy formulation, budget approval, and review of major projects and initiatives.

• Reports and Accountability: Regular reports from the Board of Trustees (BoT), Global Stewardship Board (GSB), and other governing bodies are presented at GA meetings to ensure transparency and accountability.

Functions and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning: Setting the long-term strategic direction for GCRI, aligning with its mission and values.

• Policy Formulation: Developing and approving major policies that guide the operations and initiatives of GCRI.

• Budget Approval: Reviewing and approving the budget for GCRI’s activities, ensuring financial sustainability and proper allocation of resources.

• Amendments and Reforms: Amending GCRI’s statutes and foundational documents to reflect evolving needs and priorities.

• Election of Governing Bodies: Electing members to the Board of Trustees (BoT), Global Stewardship Board (GSB), and other key positions within the organization.

• Review and Oversight: Reviewing the performance and progress of various initiatives, projects, and operations carried out by GCRI’s different bodies.

Membership Levels:

• National Level: National Working Groups (NWGs) represent the interests and priorities of their respective countries, ensuring that national perspectives are included in global decision-making.

• Regional Level: Regional Stewardship Boards (RSBs) bring together national representatives from specific geographical areas to address regional issues and integrate them into global strategies.

• Global Level: The General Assembly (GA) itself, comprising representatives from all member countries and regions, serves as the pinnacle of GCRI’s governance structure.

Synergy with Other Governing Bodies:

• Board of Trustees (BoT): The BoT provides strategic guidance and oversight, ensuring that the decisions made by the GA are effectively implemented and aligned with GCRI’s mission.

• Global Stewardship Board (GSB): The GSB coordinates with the GA to ensure that strategic initiatives and policies are aligned with the overall goals of GCRI.

• Regional Stewardship Boards (RSBs): RSBs ensure that regional strategies are aligned with global directives and that regional issues are adequately addressed in the GA.

• National Working Groups (NWGs): NWGs implement GA decisions at the national level, ensuring that global strategies are tailored to local contexts and priorities.

• Specialized Leadership Board (SLB): The SLB provides technical and thematic expertise to the GA, ensuring that policies and strategies are informed by the latest research and best practices.

• Technical Councils (TCs) and Technical Management Divisions (TMDs): These bodies develop and refine technical standards and methodologies that support the implementation of GA decisions.

Meeting Structure:

• Opening Session: Welcome address, agenda approval, and initial discussions.

• Strategic Sessions: Focused discussions on strategic planning, policy development, and budget approval.

• Technical and Advisory Sessions: Input from technical councils and advisory boards to inform decision-making.

• Regional and National Reports: Presentations from RSBs and NWGs on regional and national progress, challenges, and priorities.

• Decision-Making Sessions: Consensus-building discussions leading to the approval of major decisions and initiatives.

• Closing Session: Summary of decisions, next steps, and closing remarks.

Mid-Sessions:

• Purpose: To address urgent issues or significant developments that require immediate attention.

• Composition: Similar to the regular biennial meetings, involving representatives from all membership levels.

• Decision-Making: Follows the same consensus-based approach to ensure inclusive and democratic decision-making.