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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

Justice & Accountability

Probe of WEF founder nears end as organization charts path in turmoil

2 min read

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While the board has said the allegations remain unproven, the investigation is the focal point of an internal power struggle.

Swiss National Day celebrations on Aug. 1 in Bern's Federal Square.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Trump tariffs widen trade war, threatening allies and global rules

4 min read

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The U.S. tariffs for about 90 countries further undermine the global trade system led by the World Trade Organization.

Swiss artist Bertrand Cazenave's installation of 500 jellyfish outside the Palais des Nations in Geneva is made from recycled materials.

Energy & Environment

Lobbyists outnumber E.U. diplomats at plastic treaty talks, analysis shows

2 min read

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Corporate presence at the INC-5.2 negotiations in Geneva raises concerns about the integrity of the final treaty text.

Outside the U.N.'s Palais des Nations in Geneva, "The Thinker’s Burden" was created for the INC 5.2 Global Plastics Pollution Treaty negotiations by Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong.

Energy & Environment

Plastic treaty talks open with longshot bid for consensus deal

4 min read

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The negotiations in Geneva are the sixth round of talks since 175 nations agreed in 2022 to create a legally binding treaty.

The crisis in Sudan has uprooted entire communities, with children forced to flee their homes and 80% of children not in school.

Humanitarians & Peace

A generation at risk as Sudan's humanitarian crisis deepens

3 min read

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The crisis uprooted entire communities, with children 'reduced to just skin and bones' and 80% of them not in school.

Energy & Environment

Geneva's plastic treaty talks at make-or-break moment for ocean health

5 min read

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The 10-day session at the U.N.'s European headquarters is widely seen as the definitive moment for a global accord.

The IPU speakers' conference meets once every five years.

Security & Geopolitics

Global parliamentarians call for unity and stronger multilateralism

3 min read

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The declaration underscored that complex global problems demand unified responses and strong political will.

The Swiss foundation is headquartered at Campus Biotech in Geneva.

SciTech Diplomacy

GESDA unveils new "anticipatory science diplomacy" framework

3 min read

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The Geneva foundation emphasizes that science diplomacy needs anticipation so it can evolve and renew multilateralism.

Human Rights

U.N. rights leader criticizes U.S. and 'any acts of intimidation or reprisal'

3 min read

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The head of the U.N. Human Rights Council pushed back against U.S. sanctions on a council-appointed investigator.

Peter Gatrell, a renowned author and historian of population displacement in the modern world and an emeritus professor of history at the University of Manchester.

Migrants and Refugees

Rethinking refugee narrative and history from voices in the archives

7 min read

Free

Beyond official narratives and statistics are the complex realities and unexpected agency of displaced populations.