Switzerland’s Humanitarian Tradition
Switzerland’s commitment to humanitarianism is a centuries-old tradition based on the country’s ideals of neutrality and individual freedom. Switzerland has long played an active role in international organizations around the globe—many of which, though not all, are part of the United Nations.
Switzerland’s neutrality and humanitarian tradition have enabled the country to serve both as host of many international organizations and as an active participant in those organizations.
Click on the following links to learn more about Switzerland as Host Country of International Organizations, Switzerland’s Role as Facilitator, Mediator, Negotiator, and Guardian of International Agreements, and Switzerland’s participation in international organizations.
Due to Switzerland’s history as a neutral and stable country, it is a natural home base for international organizations, whether the organization is a humanitarian body, a union, or a business association.
Switzerland hosts the global headquarters for:
The World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Geneva
The World Economic Forum (WEF), Geneva
The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria (The Global Fund), Geneva
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Geneva
The International Labour Organization (ILO), Geneva
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), Lausanne
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Lausanne
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Geneva
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Geneva
The International Organization for Migration, Geneva
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva
The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva
The Inter-Parliamentary Union, Geneva
The International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO), Geneva
The Association of Iron Ore Exporting Countries (APEF), Geneva
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), Geneva
The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), Geneva
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Gland
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS), Basel
The Intergovernmental Organization for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF), Bern
The Airlines Worldwide Telecommunications and Information Services (SITA), Geneva
The Airports Council International (ACI), Geneva
The South Centre, Geneva
The Universal Postal Union (UPU), Bern
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), Geneva
The Agency for International Trade Information and Cooperation (AITIC), Geneva
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Geneva
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Geneva
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), Geneva
The Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva
The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva
The Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), Geneva
The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Geneva
The Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), Geneva
The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), Geneva
Switzerland is trusted by nations around the world to negotiate fairly and with dedication to the cause of peace and human rights; Swiss technical expertise is also renowned and valued worldwide.
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In May 2016, the government of Colombia and the FARC rebels issued a joint statement stipulating that their final peace agreement be physically stored in Switzerland. The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) had been providing its expertise to the negotiations and supporting the peace process between the two parties since 2001.
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In March 2016, United Nations-brokered talks—the Geneva 3 talks—aimed at ending Syria’s five-year civil war began in Geneva. The peace talks’ chief negotiator thanked Switzerland for making the talks possible.
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Just since 2008, Switzerland has taken part in more than 15 peace negotiations, including for the countries of Colombia, Mali, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Syria.
For more information on Switzerland’s work as international facilitator and mediator, see Switzerland's "Good Offices."
Switzerland is also a member of many international organizations represented both in Switzerland and elsewhere.
Permanent Representation of Switzerland in Geneva
In Geneva, Switzerland is represented by two permanent missions:
(1) Mission to the United Nations Office (and to the other international organizations).
This mission is particularly active on disarmament, humanitarian issues, and human rights.
(2) Mission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
This mission monitors the work of international organizations with an economic focus, such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and the International Trade Centre (ITC).
While the United Nations European headquarters, and a host of other UN agencies, are located in Geneva, the Swiss confederation did not become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland has a long-standing involvement with many UN agencies and programs, however.
Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN in New York
In New York, Switzerland works actively on all three pillars of the UN mandate:
(1) Peace and security,
(2) Human rights, and
(3) Sustainable development.
Switzerland is involved in negotiating and adopting resolutions and decisions in all main bodies of the UN except the Security Council, of which it is not a member.
Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the FAO, IFAD, and WFP in Rome
In Rome, Switzerland has permanent representation in:
(1) The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), of which Switzerland has been a member since 1946,
(2) The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), of which Switzerland is a founding member, and
(3) The World Food Programme (WFP), which is today the world’s largest humanitarian agency.
Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office (and to the other international organizations) in Vienna
In Vienna, Switzerland’s main work is with:
(1) The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to which Switzerland provides technical assistance in areas related to human trafficking, corruption, money laundering, and strengthening criminal justice systems and the rule of law in order to better fight terrorism,
(2) The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), of which Switzerland is a founding member, and
(3) The preparatory commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).
Permanent Delegation of Switzerland to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris and Geneva
UNESCO’s five major programs focus on:
(1) Education,
(2) Natural sciences,
(3) Social and human sciences,
(4) Culture, and
(5) Communication and information.
Permanent Representation of Switzerland to the Council of Europe
In Strasbourg, the Swiss representation acts as link between the Council of Europe and Switzerland. The Council of Europe is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1949 with the general goal of strengthening three basic tenets of Western societies:
(1) The rule of law,
(2) Democracy, and
(3) Basic human rights.
Permanent Delegation of Switzerland to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Like all OECD member countries, Switzerland has a permanent delegation to the OECD in Paris. Switzerland contributes to the OECD in accordance with the size of its economy, and has input in determining the work program and the annual budget.
The OECD was established in 1961, and Switzerland is a founding member.
Permanent Delegation of Switzerland to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna
The Swiss delegation to the OSCE contributes to three main issues:
(1) Political and military security,
(2) The economy, and
(3) The environment and “human security.”
Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Brussels
Switzerland’s mission to NATO promotes good relations between Switzerland and NATO under the auspices of the Partnership for Peace (PfP). The mission represents Switzerland on individual committees, such as the committee that monitors the Kosovo Force (KFOR) international peacekeeping operation.