Social partnership serve prosperity

18.06.2019 — Press releases Mission Geneva
At ILO, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin underlines need of investments in training for managing opportunities and risks of digitalization.

UN Blue Book : Diplomatic titles in French will be feminized

12.06.2019 — Press releases Mission Geneva
The initiative, launched by Switzerland and realized thanks to the commitment of the International Organisation of La Francophonie, was enthusiastically endorsed by the Director General of the UN in Geneva as a contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal 5.

Federal Councillor Alain Berset opens the Centennial Conference of the International Labor Organization (ILO)

10.06.2019 — Press releases Mission Geneva
On the occasion of the opening of the 108th Session of the International Labor Conference, the Federal Councillor recalled the importance of social partnership, education, social protection and justice as fundamental elements for the future work.

Berset opens the 72nd World Health Assembly

20.05.2019 — Press releases Mission Geneva
Universal health coverage with better access to medical services in the focus of WHO’s meeting.

Joining forces against natural disasters: international conference on disaster risk reduction opens in Geneva today

15.05.2019 — Press releases Mission Geneva
The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) was opened by SDC Director General Manuel Sager on 15 May. The international conference, which runs until 17 May, will see over 4,000 experts from some 150 countries discuss global policies on natural disaster prevention. The results are expected to guide UN policy in this area.

Ignazio Cassis marks centenary of International Labour Organization with António Guterres and meets UN executive heads

10.05.2019 — Press releases Mission Geneva
On 8 May 2019, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travelled to Geneva to commemorate with António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, the 100th anniversary of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The creation of the ILO and – in the same year – the League of Nations, marked the beginning of multilateralism in Geneva. The head of the FDFA took the opportunity to meet the 31 heads of the UN specialised agencies, which are holding a meeting from 8 to 10 May 2019 in Geneva.

Protecting cultural heritage in danger

25.04.2019 — Position Mission Geneva

To commemorate the 20 years anniversary of the 1999 Second Protocol, Switzerland hosts a conference on “Protecting Cultural Property: International Conference on the 20th anniversary of the 1999 Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague Convention” scheduled to take place on 25-26 April 2019 in Geneva.

During the opening ceremony,  State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl reiterated Switzerland's commitment to the consolidation of peace and cultural protection.

Palmyra on the Place des Nations

12.04.2019 — Local news Mission Geneva
A replica of the Triumphal Arch of Palmyra underlines the importance of cultural heritage

2.6 billion dollars for the population in Yemen

26.02.2019 — Press releases Mission Geneva
On the occasion of the pledging conference that Switzerland organized in conjunction with Sweden and the UN to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, Switzerland has pledged 13.5 million for 2019. 

Romansh at UNOG

21.02.2019 — Local news Mission Geneva
Romansh was at the centre of the conference on multilingualism organised by the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG). On the occasion of the International Mother Language Day, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) recalls its commitment to linguistic diversity.

Switzerland strenghtens its host State policy

20.02.2019 — Press releases Mission Geneva
The Federal Council approved the new message aimed at strengthening Switzerland's role as host country for the period 2020 to 2023 and took a further step towards the creation, with the canton and the city of Geneva, of the "Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator" foundation.

Humans at the centre of the digital era. Public and private sectors together for the use of technology for the benefit of the populations.

22.01.2019 — Local news Mission Geneva
The international Geneva ecosystem is an ideal breeding ground for developing new approaches in the digital field. Indeed, more than half of the institutions dealing with digital governance issues, including the United Nations, are based in Geneva. Also considered as a global centre for telecommunications, health, trade, intellectual property, human rights and labour, International Geneva plays a key role in the development of common transversal norms and standards promoting digital ethics.

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.