News
Informations concerning relations between Switzerland and the international organisations.
Gender-Based Violence
The Swiss Mission participates in the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence across Geneva and around the world. Check how some of our hosted Organizations are taking a stand against any form of GBV.
YAS 2025
Over 1,000 people celebrated young activists in person at the UN Assembly Hall.
WMO Congress
Powerful messages on climate, science, and diplomacy at the World Meteorological Congress.
UNCTAD16
On 20 October 2025 in Geneva, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, was elected President of the 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16).
GESDA Summit 2025
The geopolitics of knowledge: Ignazio Cassis at the 5th GESDA summit on the new frontiers opened up by technological development
Geneva Peace Week 2025
“Peace in Action” — this year’s theme for Geneva Peace Week 2025 — lived up to its promise.
Access to the job market
Information for employees of international organizations living in Switzerland.
GP-DRR 2025
The Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction holds its 2025 meeting in Geneva.
Swiss Design for Human Rights
The presidency of the UN Human Rights Council counts on the support of Swiss design. Iconic furniture decorates the office of the Presidency, conveying an image of innovative, harmonious efficiency.
Human Rights Council 58
The presidency of the UN Human Rights Council counts on the support of Swiss design.Iconic furniture decorates the office of the Presidency, conveying an image of innovative, harmonious efficiency.
Davos 2025
Geneva Day at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos
Geneva Conventions at 75
The Geneva Conventions were signed in Geneva 75 years ago, on 12 August 1949. The four Conventions are the cornerstone of international humanitarian law, and the universally accepted rules that prevail in all times, including in times of war.
77th World Health Assembly
Federal Councilor Baume-Schneider opened the 77th World Health Assembly, the governing body of the World Health Organization, in Geneva on 27 May 2024.
WSIS+20 & AI4Good
On Monday, May 27, 2024, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti opened the 20th session of the World Summit on the Information Society, which Switzerland is chairing.
The new face of the Pregny hill
Home to the UN, the Red Cross and a number of international organizations, including the complex of organizations working on global health, the Pregny hill is undergoing an urban transformation.
Ignazio Cassis opens the 55th session of the Human Rights Council
“Nothing can be taken for granted, neither Human Rights nor peace.” With these words, Federal Coucilor Ignazio Cassis opened the 55th session of the Human Rights Council.
World Economic Forum 2024
Since AI came into the spotlight, risks have received a great deal of media attention. AI also offers countless opportunities that deserve to be better known and exploited. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, an event on AI explored these opportunities, with Federal Councillor Albert Rösti.
75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: President Berset opens conference in Geneva
Geneva, 12.12.2023 - In the aftermath of the Second World War and with the aim of preventing its atrocities for all time, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was proclaimed in Paris on 10 December 1948 in accordance with a resolution of the UN General Assembly. President Alain Berset paid tribute to the 75th anniversary of this historic step on Tuesday, 12 December 2023, at a high-level conference in Geneva.
Switzerland to co-host second Global Refugee Forum in Geneva
Together with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Switzerland will host the second Global Refugee Forum from 13 to 15 December 2023 in Geneva. The main objective of the forum is to bolster the effectiveness of aid provided to people fleeing from violence and crises, and to improve global coordination in this regard. The forum will take stock of the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees to date and seek to strengthen the commitment of the international community in this area. At the forum, Switzerland will reaffirm its support for the protection and integration of refugees both in Switzerland and abroad. In addition to the federal government, Swiss cantons, cities and civil society will contribute to this effort.
The Swiss Mission joins the Geneva Decarbonization Charter
On 12 December 2023, Ambassador Anna Ifkovits Horner signed, on behalf of Switzerland, a decarbonization Charter aiming at minimizing the carbon print of international Geneva, together with 39 international organizations.
Geneva Peace Week 2023
The Geneva Peace Week, a major event for the global conversation on peace and security, concluded its 10th edition on 3 November 2023.
The Open Quantum Institute in Geneva
Quantum computing technology could help solve some of the great issues of our time. Climate, biodiversity, food security and epidemics all require computer-based models, and the OQI will allow for universal access to technologies allowing advanced modelling.
ECOSOC Humanitarian Segment in Geneva
Geneva hosts the Humanitarian Segment of ECOSOC from 21-23 June 2023.
Two Swiss Ministers at the ILC
Two Ministers, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and Swiss President Alain Berset, spoke at the 111th International Labour Conference in Geneva.
President Berset opens WHA, WMC
In Geneva at the occasion of the World Health Assembly and World Meteorological Congress, Swiss President Alain Berset opened the session of both governing bodies of these organizations, that are celebrating their 75th and 150th anniversary this year, respectively.
Ignazio Cassis opens Human Rights Council
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs, opened the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 27 February 2023. FC Cassis also moderated the High-Level Pledging Conference on Yemen, held back to back with the Council. Switzerland engages in favor of dialogue, peace, and lasting reconstruction, including with a support for education in emergencies.
Davos 2023: Geneva Day at the WEF
The Geneva Day is, every year, one of the higlights of the World Economic Forum in Davos. This year's panels were no exception with high-level participants and highly relevant topics such as data, plastic, fragmentation, and sustainable finance.
Development Cooperation Efficency Summit
The Swiss President, Ignazio Cassis, opened the Summit on effectiveness of the development cooperation in Geneva on 12 December. True to the principle of inclusivity, the summit brings together government representatives working on the SDGs but also CSOs and local authorities that are able to anchor sustainable development more strongly in local realities, as well as donors to bridge the gap towards sustainable development.
Young Activist Summit (YAS) 2022
The Young Activists Summit gathered participants from 134 countries at the Palais des Nations.
GESDA Summit 2022
The 2022 edition of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) took place in Geneva from 12-14 October.
Saving energy
Switzerland's energy supply is secure. The Swiss federal government has however published recommendations for saving energy against the backdrop of energy shortages in Europe.
Espace Kofi-Annan inaugurated at Geneva Airport
A new delegates lounge named after the former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan was inaugurated on 3 October 2022 by local and national authorities, the UNOG Director-General and Ms. Annan.
Building Bridges 2022
Building Bridges is a movement that brings together finance, sustainability, decision-makers and international organizations in Geneva. The 2022 edition takes place in Geneva and can be followed remotely.
OECD Ambassadors visit Geneva
Ambassadors of Member States of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), as well as OECD's Secretary-General and Secretariat, visited the Palais des Nations as well as international organizations headquartered in Geneva including the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the International Labor Office (ILO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), as well as the Geneva Science-Policy Anticipator (GESDA). The purpose of this visit was to reinforce collaboration and cooperation between international organizations as well as between Host and Member States.
Switzerland celebrates 20 years of UN Membership
Swiss President Ignazio Cassis inaugurated a 1:25 model of the Palais des Nations in Melide, Ticino, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Switzerland joining the United Nations.
Davos 2022: Geneva Day
At the World Economic Forum 2022 in Davos, the Geneva Day focused on the future of work, digital trust, and new technologies.
Federal Councillor Berset opens the 75th World Health Assembly
On Sunday, 22 May, Federal Councillor Alain Berset opened the 75th World Assembly and advocated for a strong WHO with the necessary means and authoritativeness to support Member States, including during pandemics.
Federal Councillor Sommaruga celebrates press freedom
Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga and UN High-Commissioner to Human Rights Michelle Bachelet highlighted how important the freedom of the press is to democracy, on 4 May 2022 in Geneva. Journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov, Nobel Peace Prize laureates in 2022, participated to the World Press Freedom Day.
International Cooperation Forum 2022
Swiss President Ignazio Cassis opened the International Cooperation Forum 2022 in Geneva on 31 March 2022.
Yemen Pledging Conference
Switezrland and Sweden co-hosted a pledging conference on 14 March 2022. Switzerland pleadged 14,5 millions francs for humanitarian response
Faces of Switzerland at the UN
Switzerland is Host State of the United Nations in Europe since 1945 (and before that was Host State of the League of Nations) and became a Member State of the UN on 10 September 2002.
Opening of the 49th Human Rights Council
Opening address of Swiss President Ignazio Cassis at the 49th session of the Human Rights Council
Ignazio Cassis inaugurates new extension in the Palais des Nations
Ignazio Cassis inaugurated a new building in the Palais des Nations complex, together with UNOG Director-general Tatjana Valovaya.
Building Bridges 2021
A contribution of Switzerland to the SDGs
Federal Councillor Berset opens World Meteorological Congress
Federal Councillor Alain Berset officially opened an extraordinary session of the World Meteorological Congress in Geneva. The Congress will focus on WMO reform, WMO support for the global water agenda and the Earth System Data Exchange.
GESDA: a radar to map emerging scientific breakthroughs
The Geneva Science & Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) unveiled a system that allows to identify forthcoming scientific breakthrough in the next quarter-century, called the “GESDA Science Breakthrough Radar”.
Lausanne declaration on cluster munitions
Geneva, 22.09.2021 - States Parties of the Convention on Cluster Munitions jointly condemn the use of these weapons by any actor and adopt an ambitious plan The Second Review Conference of State Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) concluded on 21 September 2021 under the presidency of Swiss Ambassador Félix Baumann and reached unanimity for the first time in several years.
Humanitarian aid for Afghanistan: Switzerland pledges 33 million francs
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis welcomed participants during the opening of the Ministerial Conference called by the UN Secretary-General on humanitarian aid to the Afghan people, held on Monday, 13 September 2021 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
More coordinated emergency humanitarian action
Finding new ways to respond to challenges exacerbated by COVID-19. This was one of the key issues discussed at the humanitarian affairs segment (HAS) of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which was held in Geneva from 23 to 25 June 2021 and was chaired by Switzerland. A resolution to strengthen coordination of humanitarian aid was adopted, sending an important political signal.
Federal Councilor Berset opens the World Health Assembly of the WHO
Federal Councilor Alain Berset opened the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva. In his speech, Alain Berset praised the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) and asked the member states to make sustainable investments in a global health protection structure. During their attendance at the Assembly, Federal Councilor Berset and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus signed a cooperation agreement as part of the WHO BioHub initiative.
At the United Nations, Switzerland contributes to a safe and peaceful cyberspace
A United Nations working group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications (ICTs) in the context of international security, chaired by Ambassador Jürg Lauber, permanent representative of Switzerland to the UN in Geneva, has adopted a final report with a list of recommendations to ensure peace and security in cyberspace.
Switzerland pledges CHF 14 million for humanitarian aid in Yemen
FDFA head and Vice President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis pledged a CHF 14 million humanitarian aid package at an online conference to raise funds for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
Switzerland hosts an informal WTO ministerial meeting
At the invitation of Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation, a virtual informal ministerial meeting was held on 29 January on WTO-related issues. Among those taking part were ministers responsible for WTO affairs and WTO Deputy Director General Alan Wolff. The event was held in place of the traditional informal WTO ministerial meeting chaired by Switzerland on the fringes of the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos. Participants discussed trade policy challenges and priorities ahead of the twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference, particularly in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Launch of the Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies
The Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies is an ambitious commitment towards the realisation of the right to education for crisis-affected and displaced children and youth and comes at a time of unprecedented humanitarian needs. Over half of the world’s forcibly displaced people are children, and nearly 250 million children live in countries affected by conflict; millions more face risks from climate change, disaster, violence and epidemics. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this situation. We are witnessing a global crisis in which children and youth are at heightened risk of losing years of education.
Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behaviour in Cyberspace
Cybersecurity and trust is a precondition for benefitting from the digital transformation. The Geneva Dialogue convenes governments, industry actors, civil society and academia to implement internationally recognized norms to achieve greater security and stability in cyberspace.
Launch of the Swiss initiative 2050Today for a reduction of CO2 emissions in International Geneva
In partnership with the United Nations, 2050Today brings together a community of international Geneva institutions determined to ensure a quick, continuous and measurable reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of their own institutions. By sharing experiences, solutions and practices members of the community foster and facilitate the implementation of efficient measures with a sense of solidarity and cooperation. As primary advocate and responsible for a multilateral and inclusive climate action, permanent missions, UN institutions and other entities of international Geneva want to lead by example.
The UN celebrates its 75th anniversary
The Palais des Nations and the Jet d'eau in Geneva, among more than 180 emblematic buildings and monuments in Europe, have been illuminated in blue on the evening of Saturday, 24 October to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN).
The Presidents of the Federal Chambers visiting International Geneva
The President of the National Council Isabelle Moret and the President of the Council of States Hans Stöckli travelled to Geneva for a two-day visit to the institutions of International Geneva. Amongst others, they met the heads of ICRC, UNOG, WHO and WEF.
Switzerland and OHCHR stress importance of freedom of the press and freedom of opinion and expression
Around the world, the work of journalists has become more difficult in recent years. In many places, press freedom is being restricted. Under the heading of ‘Journalists at risk - Let's protect media freedom!’, President Simonetta Sommaruga and Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, issued a joint invitation to an event in Geneva, providing a platform for journalists concerned.
New Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organisations in Geneva takes office
Ambassador Jürg Lauber, new Head of the Swiss Mission, presented his credentials to Tatiana Valovaya, Director General of the United Nations Office at Geneva
Switzerland celebrates 75 years of the United Nations
On 26 June 2020, the United Nations celebrated the 75th anniversary of the adoption of its Charter. On this occasion, Switzerland wished to pay tribute to its fundamental role in international cooperation and the construction of the future by offering a gift in the form of an ephemeral eco-responsible fresco by the artist SAYPE. The artwork, a symbol of collaboration on future challenges, will brighten up the park of the Palais des Nations for several weeks.
Restart of the Jet d'eau: Geneva regains its symbol
Out of service since March 20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jet d'eau is again operative. It was restarted by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreysus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), together with Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva. A symbolic gesture to mark the importance of international cooperation in the fight against the pandemic, made at the invitation of Antonio Hodgers, President of the State Council, and Christian Brunier, Director General of Services Industriels de Genève (SIG).
Socio-economic impact of COVID-19 in LMICs
Friends of SDG Financing virtual meeting on the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 in developing countries and building back better.
73rd World Health Assembly
This year’s World Health Assembly is taking place under special circumstances; due to the COVID-19 pandemic it is a virtual event with a reduced agenda. President Simonetta Sommaruga represented Switzerland at the World Health Organization conference on Monday, 18 May. Ms Sommaruga commended the work of the Geneva-based organisation and gave an assurance of Switzerland’s support.
Geneva Airport dedicates its protocol salon to Kofi Annan
Today, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, would have been 82 years old. On this occasion, Geneva Airport announces that its protocol lounge will be renamed “Espace Kofi Annan.” This gesture honours a man who unceasingly fought for international cooperation to tackle global challenges, something which has never been more relevant than today, given the global crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Switzerland at the vanguard of human rights
2019 marked 100 years of multilateralism in Geneva, one of the key themes of which is the protection of human rights. 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, whose Charter places fundamental rights and human dignity at the heart of efforts to ensure peace and sustainable development. “Reaffirming, promoting and defending these common values is a task for all of us,” said Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the opening of the spring session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 24 February 2020.
Geneva meets Davos for global good
Big crowds at the “Geneva Day” hosted by the House of Switzerland in Davos on the occasion of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum. Conceived as a meeting point between global governance institutions and WEF participants, the “Geneva Day” explored new paths for international cooperation to advance sustainable and inclusive development.
Further links
Newsletter
Receive the latest news from the FDFA via newsletter.
Media invitations
To receive media invitations and accreditation instructions, please fill in the form below.
Contact
The role of the Mission, how it works and how you can reach us.