Switzerland joined the United Nations in 2002. Since then, we have been among the most active countries in the UN. Even before being a member, we took on observer and member roles with various specialized UN agencies, such as the Human Rights Council, which has to a great extent been created thanks to Swiss efforts. Former Swiss President Joseph Deiss also presided over the UN General Assembly from 2010 to 2011.
We are fully aligned with the UN’s goals and values. The Swiss Federal Constitution enshrines key UN objectives, including the alleviation of poverty, human rights and democracy, the peaceful co-existence of peoples and natural resource conservation. As a dedicated and reliable member of the UN family, we provide substantial voluntary contributions to support UN agencies, funds and programmes, promoting sustainable development around the world.
Geneva has been home to the UN’s second most important headquarters ever since the organisation was founded in 1945. The UN holds 6 out of 10 meetings in Geneva! No fewer than 41 international organisations and several UN agencies are located on the shores of Lake Geneva.
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