Contact
The role of the Mission, how it works and how you can reach us.
The Permanent Mission of Switzerland ("the Swiss Mission") has a dual role matching two main aspects of Switzerland's foreign policy, as a Member State and as the Host State to international organisations. The Head of the Mission is Switzerland's Permanent Representative (PR) to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva.
Switzerland in international organisations
As a Member State, Switzerland works with international organisations and institutions of International Geneva. Switzerland's PR at the Conference on Disarmament also acts as head of the multilateral division (contact).
The Mission works closely with the relevant federal authorities to define, defend and promote Switzerland's priorities with international organisations. Switzerland is committed to a strong and effective multilateralism, capable of responding to global challenges in a number of areas, including:
- Disarmament and non-proliferation
- Human Rights
- Humanitarian action
- Global affairs (health, labor, technology, environment, science, intellectual property and innovation, among others).
In addition to international organisations, the Multilateral Division maintains and develops links with NGOs, the private sector, academia and think tanks. These different players all contribute, each in their own way, to making Geneva a city that works for the world.
International organisations in Switzerland
As a Host State, Switzerland helps strengthening Geneva as a center of global governance, home to some 40 international organisations and the Permanent Missions of some 180 governments. Under the leadership of the Deputy PR, the Host State Division provides a wide range of services to the international community residing in Switzerland, as well as to the many visiting delegates.
This site contains a wealth of practical information (including the Manual). If you can't find what you're looking for, please contact the relevant section:
- Good Offices and Security (contact)
- Infrastructure and Innovation (contact)
- Legal and Protocol Affairs (contact)
- Residence and Status (contact)
- Visa Competence Centre (contact)
- Cybersecurity (contacts)
The Swiss Mission also serves as a diplomatic channel as per the Vienna Convention between Permanent Missions and international organisations and the Swiss authorities. It is actively supported by its institutional partners, the authorities of the Cantons of Geneva and Vaud, as well as the City of Geneva.
Other partners include the International Geneva Welcome Center (CAGI), and the Fondation pour les immeubles des organisations internationales (FIPOI).
ABC of Diplomacy
ABC Switzerland – UN
Brochure: Switzerland - Host State
The brochure presents International Geneva and its numerous organisations, permanent missions and academic institutions. These all benefit from Switzerland's host state policy, which creates a favourable environment for collaboration and for international conferences and talks.
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva
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