Published on 1 February 2026

Putting people at the centre

People are at the heart of International Geneva. This is where the Geneva Conventions were created, where human rights, health, labour and peace take centre stage. As a neutral platform, the city brings together states, international organisations and civil society, and enables Switzerland to capitalise on its humanitarian tradition and good offices.

Geneva is an international platform for addressing issues in the light of humanitarian and humanistic values that affect people and on which Switzerland's humanitarian tradition is based. This is where international humanitarian law was created, where human rights and international responsibility for health and working conditions take centre stage. But Geneva also stands for peace. The city is well equipped logistically for peace conferences and is also a neutral location where trust can flourish.

• International humanitarian law and humanitarian aid

  International Geneva is the cradle of international humanitarian law and the driver of global humanitarian aid. It is the birthplace of the Geneva Conventions, of which Switzerland is the depositary state. Host to the headquarters of the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and numerous UN organisations, Geneva is a unique centre for compliance with international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians. Through its unique ecosystem, International Geneva facilitates exchanges between states, international organisations and civil society, thereby contributing to the further development of humanitarian principles and effective responses to conflicts, crises and disasters. This makes Geneva not only the guardian of the rules of war, but also a global hub for concrete assistance in the event of a crisis.

• Peace and mediation

  International Geneva stands for peace and dialogue. With the presence of UN institutions, disarmament and mediation forums as well as numerous civil society and private organisations active in peacebuilding, the city offers ideal conditions for defusing conflicts, building trust and developing viable solutions. As neutral territory, Geneva has been the venue for important peace conferences and negotiations for decades. This is closely linked to Switzerland and its good offices, whereby it provides mediation expertise, creates safe spaces for confidential talks and thus supports peace processes worldwide. International Geneva thus also makes a decisive contribution to strengthening Switzerland's role as a mediator in the international system.

• Human rights

  International Geneva is the centre for human rights. The UN Human Rights Council and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) – the two most important UN institutions for the protection and further development of human rights – are based here, alongside numerous NGOs working on the topic. Within the framework of the Geneva Platform, states, international organisations and civil society work together to set standards, address violations and develop solutions. Switzerland made a significant contribution to the creation of the Human Rights Council and has been actively working to strengthen it ever since. It pursues clear goals, from guaranteeing freedom of expression and abolishing the death penalty to protecting minorities, strengthening women's rights and linking human rights with environmental and peace issues.

• Health

  International Geneva is home to several global organisations active in the health sector, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. Strategies are jointly developed here to combat disease, strengthen healthcare systems and improve access to vaccines and medicines. This work protects millions of people worldwide – including people in Switzerland – and is achieved by promoting international standards, rapid access to knowledge and innovations as well as close links between research, policy and practice.

• The economy and labour

  International Geneva is a key location for matters relating to the economy and labour. Global standards for fair working conditions, trade and technical standards are developed and implemented here through organisations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO). These decisions shape markets worldwide, create fair conditions for sustainable growth and promote social justice.

Switzerland ensures that Geneva remains a neutral venue for inclusive dialogue – where states, civil society, the scientific community and the private sector can work together to develop and implement solutions for the benefit of all humanity. Together, these actors form the foundation for rules-based multilateralism based on human dignity, solidarity and sustainable development. Switzerland is committed to ensuring that these actors remain in Geneva in the long term, that Geneva is strengthened as a neutral platform for dialogue, and that institutional risks are mitigated in a forward-looking manner.

Living and working in International Geneva

People living and working in International Geneva can find further information on the website of the Swiss permanent mission in Geneva.

International Geneva

Overview: International Geneva