Switzerland at the vanguard of human rights

25.02.2020 — Press releases Mission Geneva
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

22.01.2020 — Press releases Mission Geneva
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.

"Geneva Day" at the World Economic Forum 2020 in Davos

06.01.2020 — Local news Mission Geneva
The Annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos will convene leaders from business, academia, government, international organizations and civil society to build a “more coherent and sustainable world”. Leaders will flock to the Swiss village to explore new ideas and learn about new developments that will affect their organisations. For the second time, the Swiss Confederation will contribute to the discussions with a “House of Switzerland” (HoS), which will serve as the base of the Swiss delegation as well as a platform where debates on global issues will be held.

Geneva Solutions: the journalistic platform on international Geneva

20.12.2019 — Press releases Mission Geneva
Geneva Solutions, a digital editorial offer, was selected as the best of the proposals submitted in response to the call for projects launched by the Confederation, the Canton and the City of Geneva to create a journalistic platform on the work of organizations that provide public services worldwide from Geneva.

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brought together actors committed to finding shared solutions

17.12.2019 — Mission Geneva
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened the Global Refugee Forum together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The purpose of the forum, which took place on 17 and 18 December at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, was to find shared solutions to meet the needs of refugees and their host communities.

The first edition of the Young Activists Summit in Geneva awards six young women as drivers of progress

10.12.2019 — Local news Mission Geneva
Promoting the image of young women and girls as drivers of progress, encouraging them to take action and fostering solidarity among girls and young people: these were the main aims of the Young Activists Summit that was held on 10 December 2019 in the symbolic Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations room at the "Palais des Nations" in Geneva. Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad as the guest of honour of this first edition.

Strengthening International Humanitarian Law at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

09.12.2019 — Local news Mission Geneva
Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis pleaded for the reinforcement of international humanitarian law on the occasion of the opening of the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to be held from 9 to 12 December in Geneva. In his speech, Mr. Cassis emphasized on the importance of the work of the more than 17 million volunteers who are and make the movement of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

Mountains and Climate Change

29.10.2019 — Press releases Mission Geneva

Triple exhibition for the centenary of multilateralism in Geneva

08.10.2019 — Local news Mission Geneva
The United Nations Office at Geneva, the International Committe of the Red Cross and the Martin Bodmer foundation collaborate for a triple exhibition to celebrate 100 years of multilateral diplomacy in Geneva.

The Confederation and the Canton and City of Geneva pay tribute to 100 years of multilateralism and the city's role as a centre for global governance

16.09.2019 — Press releases Mission Geneva
Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis, President of the Geneva State Council Antonio Hodgers and Administrative Councillor of the City of Geneva Sami Kanaan have signed a joint declaration underscoring the key role played by International Geneva in addressing future challenges. The joint declaration pays tribute to 100 years of multilateralism and reaffirms the commitment of the Swiss government and the Canton and City of Geneva to International Geneva's role as a centre of global governance. The signing ceremony was followed by the presentation of a volume of key Swiss diplomatic documents going back to the establishment of the League of Nations a century ago.

On the Mont Blanc for Social Justice

04.09.2019 — Local news Mission Geneva
Representatives of workers, employers and the French and Swiss governments marked the ILO’s 100^th anniversary on the top of the Alps.

APPEL A PROJETS - Plateforme journalistique sur la Genève internationale

26.07.2019 — Local news Mission Geneva
La Confédération, le Canton et la Ville de Genève lancent un appel à projets pour une plateforme journalistique sur la Genève internationale.  

77th World Health Assembly

27.05.2024 — Press releases Mission Geneva
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

19.05.2024 — Press releases Mission Geneva
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. 

Switzerland to co-host second Global Refugee Forum in Geneva

12.12.2023 — Press releases Mission 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.

75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: President Berset opens conference in Geneva

12.12.2023 — Press releases Mission 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.

Two Swiss Ministers at the ILC

14.06.2023 — Press releases Mission Geneva
Two Ministers, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and Swiss President Alain Berset, spoke at the 111th International Labour Conference in Geneva. 

Ignazio Cassis opens Human Rights Council

27.02.2023 — Press releases Mission Geneva
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.

Ukraine Recovery Conference 2022

21.06.2022 — Press releases Mission Geneva

Davos 2022: Geneva Day

23.05.2022 — Press releases Mission Geneva
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 World Meteorological Congress

12.10.2021 — Press releases Mission Geneva
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.

Humanitarian aid for Afghanistan: Switzerland pledges 33 million francs

13.09.2021 — Press releases Mission Geneva

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.

Press release

More coordinated emergency humanitarian action

25.06.2021 — Press releases Mission Geneva
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.

Switzerland pledges CHF 14 million for humanitarian aid in Yemen

01.03.2021 — Press releases Mission Geneva
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.

Swiss Design for Human Rights

25.03.2025 — Local news Mission Geneva
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

21.03.2025 — Local news Mission Geneva

Facing the threats to democracies, the HRC must act with unity & determination.

Davos 2025

22.01.2025 — Mission Geneva
Geneva Day at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos

Geneva Conventions at 75

12.08.2024 — Local news Mission Geneva

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. 

Ignazio Cassis opens the 55th session of the Human Rights Council

26.02.2024 — Article Mission Geneva
"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

16.01.2024 — Article Mission Geneva
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.

The Swiss Mission joins the Geneva Decarbonization Charter

12.12.2023 — Local news Mission Geneva
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.

President Berset opens WHA, WMC

22.05.2023 — Mission Geneva
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.

Saving energy

10.10.2022 — Local news Mission Geneva

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.

Current situation

Strengthening security and supply 

Contribuer aux économies d'énergie (FR, DE, IT)

Espace Kofi-Annan inaugurated at Geneva Airport

04.10.2022 — Local news Mission Geneva
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.

OECD Ambassadors visit Geneva

13.09.2022 — Local news Mission 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.

Federal Councillor Berset opens the 75th World Health Assembly

22.05.2022 — Local news Mission Geneva
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.