ACT - the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency Group
As the coordinator, Switzerland has the pleasure to announce the official launch of the new group of states called ACT on May 2nd, 2013 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

 Fact Sheet (pdf, 127 Kb)

This year’s session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) of the ECOSOC has begun in New York on 4 March 2013. The priority theme spotlights possibilities for the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls.

 Swiss Delegation to participate in UN Session in NY on Violence against Women and Girls

In the wings of the CSW meeting, Mr Benno Bättig, Secretary-General of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met Ms Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

The numerous allegations of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Syria need to be investigated and those responsible on all sides of the conflict brought before court. Switzerland, supported by 56 other countries, lodged this request with the UN Security Council in a letter on 14 January 2013. The best means of ensuring justice would be to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Switzerland is convinced that no lasting peace is possible in Syria without taking consistent action against impunity.

 Press release (pdf, 83 Kb)

 Letter to the Security Council concerning Syria (pdf, 21 Kb)

 Swiss priorities at the United Nations General Assembly (pdf, 60 Kb)
Switzerland has defined its priorities for the 67. General Assembly. These include a better coordination of development cooperation and humanitarian aid, the active participation in the Rio+20 follow up process, human rights, the promotion of civil capacities and mediation in the pursuit of peace and security, reforms (concerning for ex. the working methods of the Security Council as well as budget and management) and the promotion of the International Geneva. 

 10 Years of Swiss Membership in the UN 
2002, Switzerland was the 190th State to join the UN. What are the conclusions and perspectives ten years later? In this folder you will find a considerable number of background information, including examples, a factsheet, and frequently asked questions.
Watch the video:  10 Reasons Why Switzerland Engages With the United Nations

 Working Methods of the Security Council
Since 2006, Switzerland together with Costa Rica, Liechtenstein, Jordan and Singapore (collectively labelled the “Small Five” or S-5) has pushed for improving the working methods of the Security Council. The goal is to create more transparency, accountability and legitimacy of this important UN-body.