Multilateral Division
The Multilateral Division defends Switzerland's interests at the international organizations and institutions of International Geneva. It has four thematic sections:
- Global Affairs
- Humanitarian Affairs
- Human rights
- Disarmament.
The Multilateral Division works closely with the competent federal authorities to define, defend and promote Switzerland's priorities in the various international organizations, as well as to ensure the development and implementation of the decisions taken by these institutions.
Among these priorities is Switzerland's commitment to a strong and effective multilateralism that is able to respond to global challenges. Switzerland submits reform proposals to increase efficiency and promotes synergies between the various Geneva-based institutions.
In addition to international organizations, the Multilateral Division maintains and develops links with NGOs, the private sector, academia and think tanks. These different actors all contribute to the work of International Geneva and participate in the development of new and more inclusive forms of governance.
The Head of the Multilateral Division is also the Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the Conference on Disarmament (CD), the only permanent multilateral disarmament negotiating forum, which makes Geneva the main global platform for disarmament and arms control. Numerous disarmament instruments (Biological Weapons Convention, Arms Trade Treaty, Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention) and actors active in this field are established there.