International organizations

Switzerland's permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Jürg Lauber, was elected president of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) on Monday 9 December, two months after Switzerland was elected a council member. The HRC is the UN's main human rights body.

Humanitarian aid often takes place in contexts affected by UN sanctions. On 6 December 2024, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution setting out humanitarian exemptions for all UN financial sanctions. The resolution underlines Switzerland's long-standing commitment to reducing the negative impact of sanctions on the civilian population and on humanitarian work. It protects the civilian population – a priority of the Federal Council for Switzerland's membership of the Council in 2023–24. Switzerland, together with the United States, put the resolution to the vote in the Security Council.

In 2023 and 2024, Switzerland has a seat on the UN Security Council, where it is contributing its expertise in global peace and security to discussions and debates. Scroll the newsticker for background information about Switzerland's Security Council activities and statements.

At a time when scientific and technological advances are fundamentally changing our lives and global security, the international community faces a double challenge: how do we utilise the opportunities without underestimating the risks? On 21 October 2020, chaired by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the UN Security Council addressed precisely these issues and adopted a presidential statement. The debate will focus on the necessity of anticipating the impact of scientific breakthroughs in terms of peace and security, and to determine the potential need for regulation and other fields of action.

The fourth summit of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) foundation will take place in Geneva from 9 to 11 October 2024. Under the motto 'The Great Acceleration', the impacts and possibilities of rapid scientific progress on diplomacy, the environment, the economy and society will be discussed. Using the example of the Transnational Red Sea Center, the role of science diplomacy in the implementation of global environmental goals will be explored in depth.

In October 2024, Switzerland will hold for the second time the presidency of the UN Security Council. As during its first presidency, it will place two of its priorities – "promoting lasting peace" and "protecting civilian populations" – at the heart of the Council's work. What does the presidency mean for Switzerland? We provide an overview of Switzerland's powers, practices and priorities during its month-long presidency of the Security Council.