Switzerland

Switzerland is a landlocked nation in Central Europe, known for its mountains, lakes, and highly developed economy. The country has a long-standing policy of armed neutrality, which has allowed it to host the headquarters of many international organizations, including the U.N. office in Geneva.

Enjoy our Free+ stories and our weekly newsletter

Start your free access

Already have an account? Log in

French authorities had seized the building located at 42 avenue Foch in Paris.

Security & Geopolitics

ICJ backs France in dispute with Equatorial Guinea on Paris mansion

2 min read

Free+

Brazil, Switzerland and the U.K. also scrutinized financial dealings of the Equatorial Guinea president's son.

Families live in dire conditions amid destroyed buildings and fighting in western Gaza City.

Humanitarians & Peace

Israel’s expanded Gaza offensive stokes U.N. famine warnings

2 min read

Paid

A UNICEF official confirmed reports of families who try to flee Gaza City but find the evacuation areas are even less safe.

Masahiko Metoki, director general of the Universal Postal Union, at far right, presides over the opening of the Universal Postal Union’s quadrennial Congress in Dubai.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

UPU Congress gathers postal leaders as U.S. tariffs upend global system

4 min read

Paid

A new UPU report found the industry's growth has lagged by 71% behind the global economy over the past two decades.

Climate & Health

In final stretch, pandemic treaty talks narrowing on benefit sharing

4 min read

Paid

A $10.5 billion global fund for pandemic preparedness would cost a fraction of the devastation the treaty seeks to prevent.

Climate & Health

In Swiss court, Indonesian islanders take on cement giant over climate

4 min read

Paid

The court's preliminary hearing focused on whether the case is admissible under Swiss law, setting a potential precedent.

A sign of austerity at the U.N.'s European headquarters in Geneva.

Human Rights

Budget cuts, U.S. disengagement to challenge Human Rights Council

2 min read

Paid

A major point of contention is the unprecedented decision by the United States to boycott its human rights review.

Humanitarians & Peace

Humanitarian vessel attacked by Libyan patrol in international waters

1 min read

Paid

A vessel chartered by humanitarian groups had 87 rescued people on board when a Libyan patrol boat approached.

Humanitarians & Peace

New front in humanitarian aid: the questionable price of new efficiency

3 min read

Paid

Critics say the digital transformation is happening faster than governance can keep up, putting sensitive aid data at risk.

Heni Unwin, a Māori marine scientist with the Aotearoa Plastic Pollution Alliance, speaks at a rally outside the U.N.'s Palais des Nations in Geneva during the plastic treaty talks.

Energy & Environment

Advocates see human rights path forward for stalled plastic treaty

4 min read

Paid

Leaders argue any successful treaty must be built on partnership with and respect for Indigenous communities.

Klaus Schwab founded the World Economic Forum in 1971 to promote cooperation and address global challenges.

Justice & Accountability

Schwab cleared by WEF; Fink and Hoffmann named interim co-chairs

1 min read

Paid

Schwab is dropping a criminal complaint against the whistleblowers and a separate legal action against WEF.

After a 5:30 a.m. plenary was announced, the chair of the global plastic treaty talks was still waiting for delegages to fill the assembly hall inside the U.N.'s Palais des Nations at 6 a.m.

Energy & Environment

Back to Busan: Global plastic pollution treaty talks end in disarray

5 min read

Paid

The U.N.-hosted talks failed to overcome opposition to reducing plastic production among oil and gas producers.

Demonstrators with the Break Free From Plastic global movement demand a strong global plastics treaty in Geneva.

Energy & Environment

Deadlock on production, chemicals as global plastic treaty talks falter

2 min read

Paid

The latest draft text omitted any legally-binding production limits and a dedicated section on chemicals of concern.

Human rights experts and scientists say a lack of transparency by the plastics industry prevents people from making informed decisions about their exposure.

Energy & Environment

Study indicates global involuntary exposure to toxic plastic chemicals

3 min read

Paid

A global network of nonprofit groups advocating for stronger regulation underscored the need for a plastic treaty.

European Commissioner Jessika Roswall speaks to reporters inside the U.N.'s Palais des Nations alongside Danish Environment Minister Magnus Heunick.

Energy & Environment

Global plastics treaty 'drama' on a knife-edge over production caps

2 min read

Paid

European officials say they will not accept a deal 'at any cost' but maintain the bloc is ready to 'build bridges' to succeed.

Panyaza Lesufi, Premier of South Africa's Gauteng Province, at right, briefs South Africa's Minister of the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, at left, and other officials.

Security & Geopolitics

U.S.-South Africa rift complicates Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg

5 min read

Paid

Pretoria's ambitious agenda for the G-20 focuses on inclusive growth, food security, AI, debt relief, and climate finance.

Midway through the final Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, campaigners says nations are not on track to deliver a treaty that will protect people and nature.

Energy & Environment

U.N. plastic treaty talks face deep divisions as deadline nears

5 min read

Paid

Ecuadoran diplomat Luis Vayas Valdivieso, who chairs the proceedings, said 'progress made has not been sufficient.'