International Geneva

International Geneva Architecture

UN chair — The Broken Chair statue on the Place des Nations outside the UN in Geneva. Standing on three legs, the fourth being shattered halfway, it evokes the fate of anti-personnel mine victims and calls on States to commit themselves to banning cluster munitions. It was created by Handicap International. Created Date: Mon Jan 14 20:02:26 CET 2019 Mark Henley

Palais des Nations — The Palais des Nations is International Geneva’s beating heart. But during the Swiss Covid-19 lockdown, the UN’s European headquarters became a “Palace without Nations”. It is still quiet, with many meetings and conferences being held online and people working from home. Mark Henley

Building UN — The Palais des Nations is also facing other changes. Work is under way on a major renovation project and a new wing. The Strategic Heritage Plan is a CHF836.5 million ($918.9 million) project to renovate and modernise the UN’s European headquarters. The project is already behind schedule, and internal audits have pointed to deficiencies in the SHP’s operating procedures. Mark Henley

Palais Wilson — The Palais Wilson, named after US President Woodrow Wilson, began life as a luxury hotel that opened in 1875. After the First World War it became the first home of the UN's predecessor, the League of Nations. This grand sandstone building on the shores of Lake Geneva currently houses the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. But there are plans to move the OHCHR to a new wing of the Palais des Nations when it is complete. Mark Henley

South Korea mission — More than 180 countries have permanent missions in Geneva. Some have grander missions, such as the South Korean one pictured here... Mark Henley

Guinea mission — ... and some are less grand, like the Guinea mission whose entrance is seen here. Many poorer countries also maintain missions, not only to issue visas but also lobby for their interests in International Geneva. Mark Henley

WTO Room — The World Trade Organization's new conference room, built with Swiss government funding, was part of major renovations to its Geneva headquarters in 2008-2012. The WTO, under attack from US President Donald Trump and facing calls for reform, is currently facing its biggest ever crisis. It is also looking for a new leader. Mark Henley

WHO headquarters — Like the WTO, the World Health Organization (Geneva headquarters seen here) is facing major funding and credibility challenges. The coronavirus crisis has challenged it like no other. Mark Henley

ICRC Building — The International Committee of the Red Cross (headquarters seen here from the Palais des Nations) is one of Geneva's oldest and best known NGOs. It is the guardian of the Geneva Conventions, designed to protect civilians in times of war. The ICRC guards its neutrality so it can intervene on both sides of a conflict to do humanitarian work. Mark Henley

Geneva Graduate Institute — The Graduate Institute for International and Development Studies began life in a historic building by Lake Geneva. But now most of its activities take place in a modern glass complex next to the railway tracks. Mark Henley

Biotech Campus Geneva — The Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator, officially launched at the start of 2020 with support from the Swiss government, is among a number of futuristic start-ups housed in Geneva's "Biotech Campus" (pictured here) near the WTO. Mark Henley

Building site — Work began in early 2019 on a new building that will offer 5,000 square metres of space to house diplomatic missions and international organisations in Geneva. The so-called "House of Missions" site is in the international quarter near the UN and public transport. Mark Henley

This content was published on August 25, 2020 - 09:35

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