Switzerland's priorities are in line with the two key strategic areas for its commitment to the UN for the period 2012-22: peace and security, and UN reform.
73rd UN General Assembly
Monday, 24.09.2018 – Friday, 28.09.2018
UN General Assembly
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Swiss Federal President Alain Berset, left, and Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, during the 73rd session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, 25.09.2018. © Keystone
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Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in discussion with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, 25.09.2018. © Keystone
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Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in discussion with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, 25.09.2018. © Keystone
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Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in discussion with Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Mohammed Saleh, 25.09.2018. © FDFA
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Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in discussion with Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, 25.09.2018. © FDFA
In the last week of September, the opening of the 73rd UN General Assembly (UN GA) is in the spotlight in New York.
On 25 September, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, addresses the General Debate at the opening of the UN GA, where he presents Swiss foreign policy priorities in the context of the UN for the coming year.
The President of the Confederation and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis represent Switzerland during the ministerial (high-level) week in New York at various events on current topics. They also hold bilateral discussions.
Switzerland sets priorities for 73rd United Nations General Assembly, FDFA press release, 14.09.2018
26 September 2018 – Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the UN General Assembly in New York
The multilateral system protects countries which are not military powers, like Switzerland, said Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on Wednesday at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Media release, FDFA, 26.09.2018
Blog post: Ignazio Cassis in New York: Switzerland needs multilateralism (video), FDFA
26 September 2018 – Syria: progress in peace process is imperative
At EU meeting on the Syria crisis Swiss foreign minister Cassis calls for joint efforts to overcome the humanitarian catastrophe.
The EU High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, and Commissioner Christos Stylianides are hosts of this UN General Assembly high-level event.
Alongside UNSE Staffan de Mistura, USG for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi take part.
Syria: progress in peace process is imperative, speech by Ignazio Cassis, 26.09.2018 (fr, en)
25-26 September 2018 – Bilateral meetings on the margins of the UN General Assembly
The presence of many members of foreign governments offers Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis the opportunity to establish new contacts and strengthen existing bilateral relations.
In addition to participating in a variety of events being held in connection with the 73rd session of the UN General assembly, the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is also using his stay in New York to hold bilateral talks with representatives of UN member states and a range of organisations.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met various foreign ministers in New York, including his EU and Russian counterparts.
25 September 2018 – Opening speech by President Alain Berset
In his address to the General Assembly President Alain Berset stressed the importance to Switzerland of international cooperation and international law. He stated that the international community had much to lose in the current crisis facing multilateralism.
Links
Switzerland sets priorities for 73rd United Nations General Assembly, FDFA press release, 14.09.2018
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid from the UN, FDFA
Syria: progress in peace process is imperative, speech by Ignazio Cassis, 26.09.2018 (fr, en)
Blog post: Ignazio Cassis in New York: Switzerland needs multilateralism (video), FDFA
