Life after the Security Council

Switzerland will end its first term on the UN Security Council on December 31. If the hour of assessment has not yet come, if the last weeks of these two years promise to be as intense as ever for our diplomatic teams, the consequences of this mandate on Geneva are already visible: it has in allowed to concretely illustrate how Geneva contributes to the four priorities that Switzerland has set for its headquarters.

Firstly, Geneva’s field approach to peace was highlighted during several events where actors working for peace in New York and Geneva (notably those of Geneva Peace Week) were able to talk to each other. more and become aware of their complementarity – the opportunity to highlight the concrete avenues for peace which are developed on this side of the Atlantic, thanks to the contribution of humanitarian expertise, in human rights and in disarmament as well than an approach that makes room for civil society, academic actors or the private sector.

Secondly, we must emphasize the protection of civilians and the promotion of international humanitarian law – more than ever, unfortunately, given the conflicts and humanitarian disasters on the Council’s agenda over the past two years. “Geneva” actors like the ICRC have a crucial role in helping civilian populations. This expertise was notably essential for the adoption in May 2024, under the leadership of Switzerland, of resolution 2730 which strongly condemns violence against humanitarian personnel and recalls the legal obligations of States in terms of the protection of civilians and the injured.

Third, Switzerland promoted the unique expertise of International Geneva on climate data and science in general. This subject appeared in particular on the agenda of the visit to Geneva at the end of August 2024, and at Switzerland’s invitation of members of the Security Council – the opportunity to bring the environment back into the Council’s priorities.

Finally, Switzerland proposed innovative solutions in the Council’s working methods, for example anchoring scientific diplomacy supported in particular by GESDA on its agenda. Under the leadership of Switzerland, the Council formally recognized the need for a science-based approach to address today’s challenges and anticipate those of tomorrow. The very concrete usefulness of new technologies in making the work of the Security Council more accessible has become clear, for example thanks to tools using AI to report on debates such as those developed by the DiploFoundation in Geneva.

When Switzerland leaves the Security Council on December 31, we will not disengage. On the contrary, the lessons learned in recent years will enable Switzerland and its partners to make concrete progress, particularly in Geneva in three concrete areas.

Firstly, Switzerland will regain a seat on the Human Rights Council on January 1, 2025 for a period of three years. This role as a member of one of the flagship bodies of international Geneva should allow it to continue to put the protection of individuals at the center of its action and to continue – from Geneva this time – its efforts for better interactions between the two councils. . Furthermore, as it demonstrated in the summer of 2024 with several negotiations between the parties to the conflict in Sudan, Switzerland and Geneva will continue to put their proven infrastructure and their unique know-how at the service of hosting negotiations of peace, if necessary by relying on local expertise and Switzerland’s tradition in mediation. Finally, Geneva Peace Week will be able to continue to capitalize on complementarities and offer a framework for a direct dialogue on peace between Geneva and New York during its 12th edition, from October 13 to 17, 2025.

By capitalizing on the strengths of Geneva, a city that works for the world, Switzerland can sustain and amplify the impact of its actions within the Security Council, thus contributing to more effective global governance and the promotion of peace. and international security in an increasingly uncertain world. For Swiss diplomacy and for the implementation of our priorities thanks to International Geneva, there is more than ever life after the Security Council!

“The Tribune of Opinions”

With the Tribune of Opinions, find analyzes, editorials, readers’ letters, expert opinions… So much insight to form your own opinion every Monday.

Other newsletters

Log in

Did you find an error? Please report it to us.

0 comments