Putting people at the centre

International Geneva is the cradle of international humanitarian law and the driver of global humanitarian aid. It is the birthplace of the Geneva Conventions, of which Switzerland is the depositary state. Host to the headquarters of the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and numerous UN organisations, Geneva is a unique centre for compliance with international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians. Through its unique ecosystem, International Geneva facilitates exchanges between states, international organisations and civil society, thereby contributing to the further development of humanitarian principles and effective responses to conflicts, crises and disasters. This makes Geneva not only the guardian of the rules of war, but also a global hub for concrete assistance in the event of a crisis.

International Geneva stands for peace and dialogue. With the presence of UN institutions, disarmament and mediation forums as well as numerous civil society and private organisations active in peacebuilding, the city offers ideal conditions for defusing conflicts, building trust and developing viable solutions. As neutral territory, Geneva has been the venue for important peace conferences and negotiations for decades. This is closely linked to Switzerland and its good offices, whereby it provides mediation expertise, creates safe spaces for confidential talks and thus supports peace processes worldwide. International Geneva thus also makes a decisive contribution to strengthening Switzerland's role as a mediator in the international system. 

International Geneva is the centre for human rights. The UN Human Rights Council and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) – the two most important UN institutions for the protection and further development of human rights – are based here, alongside numerous NGOs working on the topic. Within the framework of the Geneva Platform, states, international organisations and civil society work together to set standards, address violations and develop solutions. Switzerland made a significant contribution to the creation of the Human Rights Council and has been actively working to strengthen it ever since. It pursues clear goals, from guaranteeing freedom of expression and abolishing the death penalty to protecting minorities, strengthening women's rights and linking human rights with environmental and peace issues. 

International Geneva is home to several global organisations active in the health sector, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. Strategies are jointly developed here to combat disease, strengthen healthcare systems and improve access to vaccines and medicines. This work protects millions of people worldwide – including people in Switzerland – and is achieved by promoting international standards, rapid access to knowledge and innovations as well as close links between research, policy and practice. 

International Geneva is a key location for matters relating to the economy and labour. Global standards for fair working conditions, trade and technical standards are developed and implemented here through organisations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO). These decisions shape markets worldwide, create fair conditions for sustainable growth and promote social justice.