The Forum Suisse de Politique Internationale "L'image de la Suisse dans le monde"

Madame la Conseillère fédérale,
Ambassador de Tscharner
Mesdames et messieurs,

Profitant des règles du Forum suisse de politique internationale, qui permet les discussions en trois langues, je vais vous adresser mes quelques remarques en anglais.

You may know that one of the foreign stereotypes about the Swiss is that they are very fond of their weekends and observe them strictly. Weekends are considered a time of rest, which the Swiss like to spend with their families and friends. So, I feel privileged to be here with you today as a friend and a member of the wider international family in Geneva, and to share in your version of a productively restful Saturday. The fact that you share this weekend time with your international friends as you discuss the image of Switzerland in the world is a perfect example of your close relationship – as a host country, canton and city – with the United Nations.

Mr. Chairman

As the words of Madame Federal Councilor just vividly confirmed, Switzerland has always been, and will undoubtedly continue to be a strong promoter of the fundamental values of peace, development and respect for human rights. These values are at the heart of what the United Nations stands for. Switzerland has succeeded in applying them both at home and globally. The country has become a symbol of tolerance among peoples and represents a model of multicultural diversity and national progress, something which many in the world should strive towards. These values are more important today that ever before. In an era where we face new challenges and threats, Switzerland’s role is growing in importance.

Neutrality does not mean absence of political position on problems of peace, security, development and human rights. In comparison with other neutral countries, Switzerland has a much more active foreign policy. Thanks to its past and present political leadership, well represented around this table, Switzerland has been an active, constructive and engaged actor within the United Nations. Switzerland long ago assumed its responsibilities not just as a host country, but also as one of the full-fledged leaders within the United Nations, even before becoming a full member. Through its involvement in the ongoing reform efforts of the Secretary-General it has further solidified its leadership role within the United Nations.

From humanitarian diplomacy and response, to peacekeeping, peacebuilding, health and human rights, Switzerland is a key supporter and contributor to United Nations. As host to the Conference on Disarmament, it supports and promotes this key area, knowing full well that the ultimate benefits of strategic disarmament go well beyond the military sphere and directly affect improvements in political relations and in human development.

Switzerland’s recent signing of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism has rededicated its commitment to the fight against terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons. At the same time, Switzerland’s firm belief that the fight against terrorism cannot be pursued at the expense of international law and respect for human rights has contributed to maintaining human rights standards.

It is precisely in the field of human rights, that the continued efforts by Switzerland to uphold basic ideals are bearing the greatest fruit. Through the persistent efforts of the Federal Councilor Mme Calmy-Rey, Ambassador Godet and their colleagues, a more effective - we hope - Geneva-based Human Rights Council is now preparing to start work in June.

Known informally as the “humanitarian capital of the world”, and recognized as the world’s leading center for international conferences and negotiations, Geneva firmly holds this lead role, despite the emergence of many rivals. This is not accidental. It is through the sustained efforts, of projects like “International Geneva”, with support from all levels of the Swiss Government and society that the city will manage to stay “ahead of the competition” and remain a foremost center of multilateral diplomacy.

The past year has seen many a sensitive meeting take place in Geneva, including efforts to facilitate the Middle East process, the meeting between European Foreign Ministers and Iran, the meeting between the Presidents of Nigeria and Cameroon, the annual meeting of the Friends of the Secretary-General on Georgia, among others. Last year alone, UNOG hosted over a dozen heads of state and heads of government and over 120 foreign ministers and other line ministers. The clear underlying principle here is that international problems need to be resolved through diplomatic means; the current situation with Iran being a very pertinent case in point, though Iran should be restrained from building weapons.

An important aspect in strengthening the international role of Geneva is the work of Geneva-based think tanks. The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) and the Geneva International Academic Network (GIAN) all contribute in various ways to strengthening partnerships between international organizations and the research community in Geneva.

In conclusion, as the Senior Representative of the Secretary-General in Switzerland, I should like to point out that one hundred and ninety other members of the United Nations do not maintain the second-largest UN duty station in Geneva by accident. It is a reflection of the respect and appreciation that so many States have for this country and for its role in international life.

UNOG stands ready to lend its full assistance – political and logistical – to local and federal authorities in helping to maintain and raise further the political profile and importance of Geneva and of Switzerland.

Thank you.