The portrait
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Former head of humanitarian work at the UN, the Briton left his official functions, but plans to continue his missions by creating an NGO.
There are real waves on the lake. Brittle and jerky. This autumn afternoon, Lake Geneva in Geneva is angry. Like much of the world. However, the geopolitical tumults seem far from this opulent, windswept neighborhood. But it is here that we find all the UN institutions and various embassies. The Palais des Nations, which houses the United Nations office, is nearby. The Palais Wilson, headquarters of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, a few hundred meters away. Between the two stands a large, charming hotel where diplomats from all over the world meet. This is where Martin Griffiths is waiting for us.
The atmosphere is cozy. But not Martin. The handshake is solid, the words loud and lively. The gaze, piercing blue, direct. Not the most expected trait in a career diplomat, a champion of humanitarianism and the delicate art of conflict resolution. For the past three years, he served as the UN humanitarian chief (Onucha). However, he threw in the towel six months ago, after a very long and distinguished career. Officially, “for health reasons”. At 73 years old, he still looks in pretty good shape. “There are all kinds of practical formulas” to justify a departure, he said, smiling. A nasty covid weakened him for a moment, “but I got over it”. So what?
Here he explains at length his plans to create, in Geneva, an NGO specializing in the development
Swiss
