On their arrival in Geneva, the council presidents will hold talks with representatives of the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and with the directors of the Geneva Centres on their role in promoting security and peace, particularly with respect to the war in Ukraine, and in facilitating dialogue. As a centre of global governance and host to 41 international organisations, to the diplomatic representations of 179 states and to some 750 NGOs, International Geneva must constantly identify and develop solutions to the global challenges facing our societies in areas such as climate protection, global health, sustainable finance, digitalisation and innovation.
As host nation, Switzerland has granted loans for the construction and renovation of buildings belonging to Geneva-based international organisations, thus ensuring their continuing presence in the city. Ms Häberli-Koller and Mr Candinas will also meet with the director general of the UN and visit the Strategic Heritage Plan site, where the Palais des Nations is being modernised and expanded.
In addition, the council presidents will meet with the ICRC president, Mirjana Spoljaric, to learn about the ICRC’s work in crisis regions such as Ukraine, the Sahel and the Middle East. They will also discuss the budgetary constraints affecting the organisation and their impact on its humanitarian work.
To conclude their visit to International Geneva, the council presidents will be received by the president of the Geneva government, Antonio Hodgers, and his vice president, Nathalie Fontanet, for a working lunch.
Meeting various International Geneva stakeholders will give Ms Häberli-Koller and Mr Candinas, the highest representatives of the Swiss Parliament, the opportunity to better understand how the presence of these organisations impacts Switzerland, particularly in terms of its visibility and influence on the world stage. The visit will also provide them with a better insight into Geneva’s significant role as a platform for debating global issues, building bridges and seeking solutions.