"Global challenges require global solutions. We cannot tackle these issues in isolation from one another. Herein lies the value of multilateralism – and the United Nations."
Tatiana Valovaya Under-Secretary-General Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament
Our world today is confronting a number of complex and multifaceted challenges: from armed conflicts to humanitarian disasters, from climate change to rising inequalities, and from food, energy and economic crises to an uneven recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Global challenges require global solutions. We cannot tackle these issues in isolation from one another. Herein lies the value of multilateralism – and the United Nations. The current system of global cooperation, however, is being put to the test. The Secretary-General of the United Nations has therefore called for a new vision of multilateralism, one that is more inclusive, networked and effective. UN Geneva is well placed to drive this reinvigorated multilateralism. We provide a platform for global dialogue and negotiations, as well as a space for exchanging ideas and best practices. We bring people together to find solutions to global problems. In 2022, we facilitated multilateral diplomacy while focusing on being more inclusive, networked and effective. We welcomed an increasing number of participants to in-person meetings at UN Geneva – the highest levels since the outbreak of the pandemic. At the same time, virtual and hybrid conferencing ensured that people far from Geneva could still participate in the work that took place here. We also undertook activities to help realize the Sustainable Development Goals, communicated the work and values of the United Nations across the globe, engaged with young people and promoted multilingualism. And, throughout, we supported our greatest resource – our staff – while embracing flexibility, innovation and collaboration. As we reflect on both the achievements and the tribulations of 2022, it is a timely opportunity to remind ourselves that we have a shared interest in looking after our planet, our future and each other. To overcome today’s divides, we need more – not less – international cooperation, and a strengthened, impactful multilateral system. In this challenging world, multilateral solutions are – and must be – the only way forward.
Our world today is confronting a number of complex and multifaceted challenges: from armed conflicts to humanitarian disasters, from climate change to rising inequalities, and from food, energy and economic crises to an uneven recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Global challenges require global solutions. We cannot tackle these issues in isolation from one another. Herein lies the value of multilateralism – and the United Nations. The current system of global cooperation, however, is being put to the test. The Secretary-General of the United Nations has therefore called for a new vision of multilateralism, one that is more inclusive, networked and effective. UN Geneva is well placed to drive this reinvigorated multilateralism. We provide a platform for global dialogue and negotiations, as well as a space for exchanging ideas and best practices. We bring people together to find solutions to global problems. In 2022, we facilitated multilateral diplomacy while focusing on being more inclusive, networked and effective. We welcomed an increasing number of participants to in-person meetings at UN Geneva – the highest levels since the outbreak of the pandemic. At the same time, virtual and hybrid conferencing ensured that people far from Geneva could still participate in the work that took place here. We also undertook activities to help realize the Sustainable Development Goals, communicated the work and values of the United Nations across the globe, engaged with young people and promoted multilingualism. And, throughout, we supported our greatest resource – our staff – while embracing flexibility, innovation and collaboration. As we reflect on both the achievements and the tribulations of 2022, it is a timely opportunity to remind ourselves that we have a shared interest in looking after our planet, our future and each other. To overcome today’s divides, we need more – not less – international cooperation, and a strengthened, impactful multilateral system. In this challenging world, multilateral solutions are – and must be – the only way forward.
Tatiana Valovaya Under-Secretary-General Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament
2022 in numbers
PEOPLE AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
There were 1,613 staff at UN Geneva, including temporary staff, on 31 December
Health and well-being
Medical-related administrative services provided for more than 15,000 staff in the field and at main duty stations
Security and safety
59,191 identification badgesissued by the Pass and Identification Unit
Environmental awareness
98% of the 492 tons of waste produced by UN Geneva was reused, recycled, composted, incinerated or recovered. This included waste from the Strategic Heritage Plan renovation project
Strategic Heritage Plan
Over 150 staff attended a virtual Strategic Heritage Plan “open house” event on the renovation of the historic Palais des Nations buildings
ConferencE management
39.3% of meetings included interpretation services
Peace talks
UN Geneva supported talks to advance peace processes in Libya and Syria and in the context of the Geneva International Discussions
Director- General
Held 81 bilateral meetings with representatives of Member States from all 5 geographical regions; 32 were with Heads of State and Government, foreign ministers or other high-level dignitaries
Liaison with non-governmental organizations
4,275 representatives of 1,040 NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council accredited to UN Geneva
Learning and development
30 online learning resource guides developed
Records and archives
47,906 records digitized
Total Digital Access to the League of Nations Archives Project
1,361,453 pages digitized
Library
5,635 Library users
Cultural activities
21 cultural activities, 4 special events and 14 side events organized at the Palais des Nations
Communications and outreach
117 press conferences given by officials from UN agencies, programmes and funds, and Member States 100 hybrid biweekly press briefings
SDG LAB
364 people from 213 organizations make up the Geneva SDG Community, a dynamic network dedicated to delivering the Sustainable Development Goals
Conference on Disarmament
In 2022, a total of 363people participated in the Conference on Disarmament
PEOPLE AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
There were 1,613 staff at UN Geneva, including temporary staff, on 31 December
Health and well-being
Medical-related administrative services provided for more than 15,000 staff in the field and at main duty stations
Security and safety
59,191 identification badgesissued by the Pass and Identification Unit
Environmental awareness
98% of the 492 tons of waste produced by UN Geneva was reused, recycled, composted, incinerated or recovered. This included waste from the Strategic Heritage Plan renovation project.
Strategic Heritage Plan
Over 150 staff attended a virtual Strategic Heritage Plan “open house” event on the renovation of the historic Palais des Nations buildings.
ConferencE management
39.3% of meetings included interpretation services
Peace talks
UN Geneva supported talks to advance peace processes in Libya and Syria and in the context of the Geneva International Discussions
Director- General
Held 81 bilateral meetings with representatives of Member States from all 5 geographical regions; 32 were with Heads of State and Government, foreign ministers or other high-level dignitaries
Liaison with non-governmental organizations
4,275 representatives of 1,040 NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council accredited to UN Geneva
Learning and development
30 online learning resource guides developed
Records and archives
47,906 records digitized
Total Digital Access to the League of Nations Archives Project
1,361,453 pages digitized
Library
7,593 answers provided through the Library Virtual Reference Desk
Cultural activities
21 cultural activities, 4 special events and 14 side events organized at the Palais des Nations
Communications and outreach
117 press conferences given by officials from UN agencies, programmes and funds, and Member States 100 hybrid biweekly press briefings
SDG LAB
364 people from 213 organizations make up the Geneva SDG Community, a dynamic network dedicated to delivering the Sustainable Development Goals.
Conference on Disarmament
In 2022, a total of 363people participated in the Conference on Disarmament
