International Geneva

Geneva is known as a hub for dozens of international organisations, the United Nations and over 380 non-governmental agencies.

UN envoy to Syria calls for ‘immediate humanitarian aid’

Syria needs more "immediate humanitarian aid

This content was published on Dec 15, 2024 According to UN estimates, over a million people have been displaced since the rebel offensive aimed at ousting Bashar al-Assad.

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Inside Geneva: international affairs from the world’s humanitarian capital

Our newsletter offers a unique insight into what is happening in International Geneva: What debates are taking center stage? How can the UN impact world affairs and what are NGO’s saying?

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Secretary of State Schraner Burgener nominated for UN high commissioner.

Swiss diplomat Schraner Burgener bids for UN high commissioner for refugees

This content was published on Dec 15, 2024 Switzerland supports State Secretary for Migration Christine Schraner Burgener’s bid to become the next UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Switzerland to lead UN Human Rights Council in 2025

This content was published on Dec 11, 2024 Swiss Ambassador Jürg Lauber has been chosen by the United Nations Human Rights Council as its president for 2025.

2024: UN correspondents look back

This content was published on Dec 10, 2024 What has stood out in 2024? Our Inside Geneva podcast looks back at the year.

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Reporters photographers and TV reporters are pictured, during the opening of the 57th session of the Human Rights Council at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland

Inside Geneva: how has the world changed in 2024?

This content was published on Dec 10, 2024 In this week’s Inside Geneva podcast episode, journalists at the United Nations in Geneva and New York look back at 2024.

Jürg Lauber becomes new Chairman of the UN Human Rights Council

Jürg Lauber elected president of UN Human Rights Council

This content was published on Dec 10, 2024 Jürg Lauber will be the first Swiss to chair the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva in 2025.

Millions of civilians have been caught up in the Syrian civil war

Red Cross urges protection for Syrian civilians

This content was published on Dec 8, 2024 The International Committee of the Red Cross has called on warring parties in Syria to respect the rights of civilians caught up in the conflict.

CO2: International Geneva aims to cut emissions by a third

International Geneva aims to cut CO2 emissions by a third

This content was published on Dec 5, 2024 Nearly 40 players from international Geneva have pledged to reduce their CO2 emissions by an average of one-third by 2030.

Switzerland to host Middle East conference on international humanitarian law

This content was published on Dec 5, 2024 The conference, planned for March, is likely to have a considerable political impact, notably on an arms embargo against Israel.

UN emergency aid office expects 305 million people in need next year

UN appeals for more funds to assist 305 million people in need

This content was published on Dec 4, 2024 The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that around 305 million people will need aid in 2025.

Opinion

Bridging climate action and conflict areas: a new hope from COP29

This content was published on Nov 29, 2024 Climate policy specialist Annika Erickson-Pearson explains why a set of principles adopted at COP29 aimed at enhancing climate action in conflict-areas looks set to make a difference.

Proposed Swiss cuts to international aid mean less for the needy

This content was published on Nov 27, 2024 The Swiss government’s major savings project is giving international cooperation organisations cold sweats.

Europe, the UN and the fight for human rights

This content was published on Nov 26, 2024 This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe. Is the world still committed to human rights?

Photo of host Imogen Foulkes at the Council of Europe

Inside Geneva: Europe, the UN and the battle for human rights

This content was published on Nov 26, 2024 This week’s Inside Geneva podcast, from the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, tackles the latest challenges to human rights and international law.

War in Ukraine erodes European support for humanitarian disarmament

This content was published on Nov 25, 2024 The withdrawal of Lithuania from the convention banning cluster munitions has raised concerns among NGOs that this decision will encourage other states, worried about their own security, to disassociate themselves from treaties designed to protect civilians in wartime.

What does the Israeli parliament’s ban on UNRWA mean?

This content was published on Nov 21, 2024 The Israeli Parliament’s decision will prevent the UN agency for Palestinian refugees from delivering aid in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. It has been met with strong reactions and is raising many questions. Here are some answers.

Red Cross Museum: its head proposes nationalization to save it

Nationalisation suggested to save Red Cross Museum

This content was published on Nov 16, 2024 The director of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva is calling for a national debate on the institution’s future.

Global firearm count surpasses one billion

This content was published on Nov 14, 2024 As armed conflicts intensify worldwide, the global arms trade is surging. Small-calibre weapons are increasingly funnelled into criminal networks.

Inside Geneva goes to New York

This content was published on Nov 12, 2024 This week, our Inside Geneva podcast visits New York to gather perspectives from the political heart of the UN, which some in Geneva doubt is still beating.

Picture of a woman surrounded by Russian policemen

Inside Geneva goes to New York: what really happens at the UN?

This content was published on Nov 12, 2024 With conflicts raging in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan, our Inside Geneva podcast this week goes to New York – and to the United Nations headquarters.

Afghan girls attend a class at the primary school after returning from the summer holidays.

Afghan women ‘very afraid’ of new Taliban law, says NGO worker

This content was published on Nov 10, 2024 Back from Afghanistan, an NGO worker gives a rare insight into life under the Taliban. She spoke to men and women on the ground about torture and covering faces, hands and feet.

Afghan burqa-clad women walk along a street on the outskirts of Mazar-i-Sharif on October 13, 2024.

Are women’s rights in Afghanistan negotiable?

This content was published on Nov 9, 2024 Are women and girls in Afghanistan being sacrificed by the international community as a bargaining chip to engage with the Taliban?