From 14 to 26 October 1985 representatives from 130 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (approximately 500 delegates) attended the statutory meetings, the IVth session of the General Assembly of the League and the Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross, held in the premises of the International Labour Office in Geneva.

In his opening address the President of the League, Mr. Enrique de la Mata, paid tribute to the thousands of volunteers for their very effective work over the past two years in times of natural and man-made disasters. He said to the delegates, “We must try and improve our services to the community to the point of perfection”, and encouraged them to speak out freely on failures and shortcomings.