Director-General's remarks at the Sixth Edition of the Introduction to UN Geneva Conferencing and Services for New Diplomats

Sixth Edition of the Introduction to UN Geneva Conferencing and Services for New Diplomats

Tuesday, 8 October 2024, at 9.30 a.m.

Library Events Room, B Building, Palais des Nations

Excellencies, 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 6th edition of our introduction program about UN Geneva, for newly arrived diplomats. 

On this occasion, we are gathered in the beautiful Library Events Room – a space dedicated to learning and knowledge sharing around the critical topics of international cooperation and multilateralism. 

Let me take this opportunity to thank colleagues from the Library & Archives and other services for their work in curating this programme, which is designed to help you understand the divisions and services at UN Geneva, and what we offer to support you in your work. 

In this sixth edition, we are offering you a blended in-person and online learning format. You are here in-person this morning, to meet each other, to meet some of the UN Geneva leadership team, and to get an overview of the main services available to you. There is also an online component, which includes videos and online resources that share in more detail our work and services, which you can explore and consult on-demand whenever you need. We hope you will find this hybrid package helpful as you begin your mandates here at UN Geneva. 

Multilateralism has been at the heart of the Palais des Nations for more than 100 years – from the League of Nations to the UN as we know it today. 

The iconic Palais des Nations, its heritage and memory continue to be part of the daily lives of UN Geneva staff members, diplomats, civil society representatives, journalists, and many other actors of International Geneva. 

The Palais des Nations hosts some 12,000 meetings every year and has a diverse ecosystem of actors working on a wide range of topics including peace and development, human rights and health, digital cooperation and humanitarian assistance, to name but a few. 

It is also a special place where partnerships are forged, synergies are developed, and concrete innovative solutions are found, further contributing to the inclusive multilateralism we need to face today’s global challenges and escalating tensions. 

Only by working together can we find common solutions to our challenges. The Palais and staff working here provide an environment and tools in support of international cooperation to pave the way towards a more sustainable, fairer and more inclusive future for all. 

Excellencies, 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

I encourage you to take this opportunity to network with your fellow diplomatic community and to ask as many questions as you need. Our team is here to support you. 

I wish you a fruitful session and all the best in your new work in Geneva. 

Thank you.