This year was another difficult year for us all. Faced with challenges that include global economic insecurity, the rise of violent conflicts and nuclear threats, record levels of humanitarian needs, the increasingly pressing consequences of climate change, deepening inequalities and growing mistrust and misinformation, humanity is being put to the test.
More than halfway to the deadline for achieving the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we are not on track. Herein lies the issue – the current multilateral governance system is not effectively meeting the complex challenges of today’s rapidly changing world. A new international consensus on a specific plan to better meet today’s needs and tackle tomorrow’s obstacles must be forged. We must transform for the future. Keeping the mission and the values of the United Nations as our compass in this time of acute uncertainty, the Organization is adapting while continuing to deliver concrete results, often without sufficient support and resources.
Despite the challenges, UN Geneva accomplished a tremendous amount in 2023, and achieved some key milestones. We supported multilateral processes in Geneva and beyond, gradually returning to the levels of conferencing activities seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. We continued to facilitate United Nations-led peace processes, including on the situations in the Syrian Arab Republic and in Yemen; we completed a number of important phases of the Strategic Heritage Plan, including the reopening of some historical buildings; and we took the first steps in the Portail des Nations project –our visionary new Visitor Centre. We also continued to ensure diversity and inclusivity in our workplace, thereby strengthening our capacities for the 21st century.
Above all, we worked with Member States, young people, civil society, the private sector, academic entities and many more actors in order to restore trust, boost the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and reinvigorate multilateral cooperation. For almost 80 years, UN Geneva has been a centre for international diplomacy. Our commitment to building a better future for all, and the facilities, resources and expertise we provide, have been instrumental in this endeavor. As we look back and reflect on the challenges faced in 2023 and on our collective achievements, we are more determined than ever to transform for the future.
Tatiana Valovaya
Under-Secretary-General
Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva
Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament
“As we look back and reflect on the challenges faced in 2023 and on our collective achievements, we are more determined than ever to transform for the future.”
10,203
interactions with clients to support their information needs on-site or online
Held
70
bilateral meetings with representatives of Member States from all
5
geographical regions
Nearly
3,000 people
attended the events in person,
and more than
1.5 million
took part in online or hybrid events
2,237,000
followers across UN Geneva’s
5 main social media platforms as at 31 December
1,224 tons
of CO2 equivalent were emitted by UN Geneva.
Most of the emissions were from the consumption of natural gas and other fuel for heating. Through a carbon-offset programme, UN Geneva is climate neutral
As at 31 December 2023, there were
1,535
staff at UN Geneva, representing
110 nationalities and a wide range of professional backgrounds
8,478
meetings organized, of which:
5,942
were in person
33
were virtual
2,503
were hybrid
The Strategic Heritage Plan project spent SwF
60 million
on renovation work on the historic buildings of the Palais des Nations.
The UN Geneva Medical Service provided medical-related administrative services for more than
15,000
staff in the field and at main duty stations, including the processing of
7,166
medical clearances
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres (on the right) and the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif answer questions from journalists during a joint press stakeout following the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan co-hosted by the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations in Geneva on 9 January.
©UN Photo: Jean-Marc Ferré
(From right to left) The Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya, the President of the UN General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, the President of the Human Rights Council, Václav Bálek, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, open the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council at the Palais des Nations on 27 February.
©UN Photo: Violaine Martin
The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Hans Grundberg (centre), the Regional Director for the Near and Middle East of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Fabrizio Carboni (third from left), and representatives of the parties to the conflict in Yemen mark the conclusion, on 20 March, of the seventh meeting of the Supervisory Committee on the Implementation of the Detainees’ Exchange Agreement, at which they successfully finalized the implementation plan for the release of 887 conflict-related detainees from all sides.
©UN Photo: Elma Okic
On 20 April, UN Geneva celebrated Chinese Language Day by promoting the rich cultural and linguistic heritage of China. Every year, UN Geneva showcases its commitment to multilingualism through various activities organized as part of celebrations of language days.
©UN Photo: UN Library and Archives Geneva
The Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya, welcomes the President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, to the Palais des Nations for a bilateral meeting on 2 May, on the margins of the President’s State visit to Switzerland.
© UN Photo: François Vioud
Singer and activist Joan Baez discusses her advocacy efforts for tackling climate change in the UNTV Geneva studio on 27 June.
©UN Photo: Nicholas Hopkins-Hall
Students from 50 countries mark the conclusion of the sixty-first Graduate Study Programme, the United Nation’s longest-running educational initiative, at UN Geneva on 14 July.
©UN Photo: Jean-Marc Ferré
On 19 August, UN Geneva and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs commemorated World Humanitarian Day, paying tribute to the 22 persons, many of whom were UN staff members, killed in the devastating terrorist bombing of the Canal Hotel in Baghdad 20 years ago, as well as to all colleagues who have lost their lives in humanitarian service.
©UN Photo: Lai Sanders
Technicians run the audiovisual equipment in the newly renovated press room at the Palais des Nations as members of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic present, on 12 September, their latest report to Geneva-based journalists.
©UN Photo: Jean-Marc Ferré
Twenty-two heads and representatives of Geneva-based United Nations entities gathered at the Palais des Nations on 5 October to sign a declaration affirming their commitment to the goals of the Geneva Alliance against Racism.
©UN Photo: Lai Sanders
The Young Activists Summit, held on 16 November at UN Geneva for the fifth straight year, honoured five remarkable young activists. Prince Albert II of Monaco (centre), a State Councillor of Geneva, Nathalie Fontanet (second from right), and the Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya (third from left) attended the ceremony, along with four of the five laureates, Maïmouna Ba (right), Francisco Vera (third from right), Roshni Perween (fourth from right) and Nisreen Elsaim (second from left). The event was moderated by the founder of the non-governmental organization SheSays, Trisha Shetty (far left).
©UN Photo
The year-long Human Rights 75 initiative culminated in a high-level event, held at the Palais des Nations on 11 and 12 December. The event brought together many high-level dignitaries, who pledged commitments to human rights, engaged in panel discussions on fundamental and emerging questions related to human rights and, among other activities, attended exhibitions and a concert held in the context of the event.
© UN Photo: Elma Okic
