In discussions with GICHD Director Ambassador Tobias Privitelli, Ms Riniker and Mr Caroni explored the centre’s mission and role in promoting peace and security through demining and the prevention of weapons-related risks.
Their meeting with ICRC Director-General Pierre Krähenbühl focused on the organisation’s operations, particularly in Ukraine and in Gaza. They also discussed the impact of recent international budget cuts on humanitarian efforts.
At the WTO headquarters, the parliamentary leaders met Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, with whom they discussed the reforms under way and the opportunities and challenges facing the organisation, before concluding their visit with a working lunch hosted by the State Council of the Republic and Canton of Geneva.
This timely visit offered Ms Riniker and Mr Caroni first-hand insight into the challenges facing International Geneva, where financial constraints are significantly affecting humanitarian missions, peace and security initiatives, and the operational capacity of international institutions. Budgetary pressures on International Geneva have escalated sharply, with reduced or suspended contributions from certain member states already forcing several key international organisations to implement cuts to staffing and budgets – and even consider relocating outside Switzerland.
As host country, Switzerland plays a pivotal role in supporting International Geneva – the world’s largest platform for global governance, home to 41 international organisations, representations of 179 states, and around 750 NGOs. This strategic hub must retain its capacity to develop solutions to global challenges, from climate and global health to sustainable finance, digitalisation and innovation.
The visit enabled the Federal Assembly’s most senior representatives to deepen their understanding of Geneva’s strategic importance as an international platform and to witness directly how budgetary decisions affect the effectiveness of international organisations’ work.