Focus
EU Commissioner Georgieva attends Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva
The 4th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction will take place in Geneva from 19 to 23 May. Governments, international organisations, representatives from NGOs, civil society and the private sector will convene to assess where we stand in the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action and in advancing the strategic goal of a substantial reduction of losses in lives and in the social, economic and environmental assets of communities and countries when disasters strike.
66th session of the World Health Assemby taking place in Geneva from 20-28 May 2013
From 20-28 May, the 66th session of the World Health Assembly is taking place in Geneva. The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO). It provides a platform to discuss specific issues on the international health agenda.
Celebration of Europe Day 2013
On 9 May 2013 Europe celebrated the 63rd anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. Sixty-three years ago, on 9 May 1950, the then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman made the first move towards the creation of what we now know as the European Union (EU). Europe Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the EU’s achievements in promoting democracy, human rights, peace and prosperity on the European continent.
Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons: The Preparatory Committee for the 2015 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference meets in Geneva
The second meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) takes place in Geneva from 22 April to 3 May 2013. The European Union is actively contributing to the global efforts to seek a safer world and to create the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons.
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Visit of Janez Potočnik, EU Commissioner for the Environment, to Geneva
The EU Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potočnik, visited Geneva on Wednesday 17 April. He participated at the 7th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns and gave a public lecture on "Towards a Green Economy - Are we moving forward?" at the Graduate Institute.
Androulla Vassiliou EU Commissioner for Education recalled the commitment of EU to scientific excellence at CERN
Androulla Vassiliou, the Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, visited the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva. During the visit, Commissioner Vassiliou was accompanied by CERN Director-General Rolf Heuer and Swiss Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.
Visit of European Parliament President Martin Schulz in Geneva on 22 March 2013
Martin Schulz, the President of the European Parliament, went on his first official visit to Geneva on 22 March in an effort to strengthen the ties between the European institutions and the UN and to underline the EU's committment to multilateralism. During his trip he met with the Heads of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as well as the World Trade Organization (WTO).
"The Power of Empowered Women"
'The Power of Empowered Women' was organized on 26 February during the High Level Segment of the 22nd Human Rights Council by a core group of women Ambassadors from the Permanent Missions of Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Qatar, Romania, the European Union, United Kingdom and United States. Dedicated to advancing the cause of gender equality and women’s empowerment, the event aimed at highlighting the transformative impact of women in societies around the world.
Human Rights Discussed in Geneva
The 22nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which gathered in Geneva from 25 February to 22 March 2013, adopted several resolutions of paramount importance for the European Union: on Syria, Myanmar/Burma, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Freedom of Religion or Belief, Rights of the Child and Sri Lanka. Four of these resolutions were presented and led by the EU itself.
7th Syria Humanitarian Forum on 19 February in Geneva
Claus Sørensen, Director-General of the European Union Office for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), attended the Syria Humanitarian Forum on 19 February, which is organized by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and co-facilitated by the European Commission/ECHO, as well as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
EU prepares Human Rights strategy for 2013
The EU Delegation to the UN in Geneva hosted on 23 January a full day meeting of the EU Permanent Representatives in Geneva as well as the Directors of Human Rights in capitals to prepare the EU action in UN human rights fora in Geneva and New York during 2013.
EU celebrates Nobel Peace Prize in Geneva
The Permanent Mission of the EU to the UN organised together with the Permanent Mission of the EU to the WTO a live broadcast of the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony in Oslo. Members of the international diplomatic corps in Geneva and representatives of the international organizations joined EU Ambassadors Zappia and Pangratis to consider the EU's contribution to peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe. The Heads of the UN Office in Geneva, IOM, WIPO and UNECE were also invited to say a few words about the European Union. In an op-ed 
[35 KB] published by Swiss newspaper Le Temps, EU Ambassadors Zappia and Pangratis argue why the EU deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.
New EU Special Representative for Human Rights on first visit to Geneva
Stavros Lambrinidis, the newly appointed Special Representative of the European Union for Human Rights, is visiting Geneva on 4/5 December 2012, where he will participate in the first ever Forum on Business and Human Rights.
EU AWARDED NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 2012
The European Union was today awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2012 in recognition of its historic role in uniting the continent, transforming Europe "from a continent of wars to a continent of peace" as the Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjoern Jagland said when announcing the award on 12 October in Oslo.
Roundtable on principled humanitarian action at the EU Delegation to the UN in Geneva
On 5 November 2012, at the occasion of the Geneva launch of a study on principled humanitarian action funded by the EU and Norway, the EU Delegation to the UN hosted a roundtable to reflect on the ability of humanitarian actors to adhere to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence in a context increasingly influenced by political and security strategies.
INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY - TEN YEARS OF JOINT EFFORTS
10 October is the International Day against the Death Penalty. The fight for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty has attained significant achievements over the past years. Today, 141 countries have abolished the death penalty in law or in practice however challenges remain. This year will mark ten years of joint efforts. At that occasion, the European Union together with Mexico, Mongolia and Switzerland have organised in Geneva at the UN a high-level panel discussion with panellists from all over the world - politicians, activists and members of victims' families - to dicuss the progress made, the experience gained and the challenges remaining in the campaign against the death penalty.
New report: Saving and Improving Lives - Partnership between the UN and the EU in 2011
The seventh annual Partnership report Saving and Improving Lives: Partnership between the United Nations and the European Union in 2011 conveys results of a vibrant parternship that spans over 110 countries accross the globe.
EU LAUNCHES LANDMARK HUMAN RIGHTS & DEMOCRACY STRATEGY
The Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union adopted on Monday 25th June two fundamental documents for the development of the human rights policy of the European Union: a Strategic Framework and an Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy. The Council also appointed Mr Stavros Lambrinidis, former Vice-President of the European Parliament and Foreign Minister of Greece, as the first EU Special Representative for Human Rights.
HIGH-LEVEL FORUM ON SYRIA IN GENEVA WITH THE PRESENCE OF UN COMMISSIONER PILLAY AND SYRIAN ACTIVISTS
A year and a half after the beginning of the uprising in Syria, the human rights situation continues to deteriorate, triggering a spiral of violence and a humanitarian crisis. To draw attention to the situation, hear the direct testimonies of the victims and help identify ways to promote and ensure justice, the Diplomatic Missions of the European Union, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Qatar, the United States of America, Jordan, Turkey, Morocco and Tunisia organised on Monday 10 September 2012 in Geneva, on the very first day of the 21th Session of the Human Rights Council, a High-Level Forum on Syria. The Forum was opened by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Pillay, and the President of the Human Rights Council, Ms Dupuy Lasserre. Prominent Syrian human rights defenders, journalists and bloggers delivered their testimonies.
IOM, European Commission and European External Action Service Strengthen Partnership
IOM, the European Commission (EC) services and the European External Action Service (EEAS) formally strengthened their partnership on 13th July in an exchange of letters between IOM Director General William Lacy Swing and EU Ambassador Mariangela Zappia in Geneva.
Red Cross Solferino Commemoration on 22/23 June 2012
This year's celebrations in Solferino highlighted the 20 years of existence of the European Humanitarian Office and its contribution in providing assistance for humanitarian projects worldwide.
EU and Brazil side-event on Women Human Rights Defenders (Geneva, 19 June 2012)
The EU Delegation to the UN and the Mission of Brazil jointly organised on Tuesday 19 June 2012, in the margins of the Human Rights Council, a side-event on Women Human Rights Defenders.
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE IN GENEVA (30 May - 14 June 2012)
The 101st annual session of the International Labour Conference took place in Geneva between the 30th May and 14th June 2012. Almost 5000 delegates from ILO's 185 member states and from regional organizations attended. Each delegation has a tripartite composition, formed by governmental delegates as well as representatives from the employers and from the workers.
Record number of Europeans support EU humanitarian aid in spite of hardship at home
Public support for humanitarian aid has gone up in the European Union in spite of the economic crisis. This is one of the key findings of the latest Eurobarometer survey on humanitarian aid and civil protection. Nine out of 10 citizens (88 %) believe it is important for the European Union to continue funding humanitarian aid, a rise of nine percentage points since the last survey in 2010. Almost as many, 84 %, support maintaining humanitarian aid funding in spite of the current economic crisis and pressures on public finances.This year the European Commission marks the 20th anniversary of delivering humanitarian aid through ECHO, its humanitarian aid and civil protection department. The EU as a whole — the European Commission together with the Member States — is the world's leading humanitarian aid donor.
WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY (Geneva, 21 - 26 May 2012)
The World Health Assembly met in Geneva from 21st to 26th May 2012 for its annual meeting. It concluded its work on a number of important decisions.
ECHO - The Humanitarian Office of the European Union turns 20
The year 2012 marks ECHO's first 20 years of existence. Throughout this time, ECHO has brought help to people in need all over the world. While it will continue to do so it also focuses on improving its effectiveness and response capacity. ECHO has contributed around €14 billion for the relief of victims of conflict and disasters in over 140 countries around the globe. Since 2007, an average of €1 billion has been provided annually, helping nearly 150 million people each year. Support ranges from life-saving medical assistance in the hours following a disaster, to water and food assistance, or sanitation and schools for the long-term displaced in refugee camps.
Thirteenth United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIII, 21-26 April 2012, Doha/Qatar)
The Conference is the most important high-level event within UNCTAD, meeting only every four years at ministerial level. The Doha Conference was the first to be held in the Arab world. It adopted UNCTAD's mandate and work programme for the next four years (2012-2016). Attendants included representatives of the highest level from the 194 UN Member States and renowned figures from business and civil society.
Human Rights Council 19th session (27 February - 23 March 2012)
The Human Rights Council 19th session ended on Friday 23rd March 2012 after four weeks of intense deliberations with the adoption of 40 resolutions. The European Union was fully engaged and tabled five resolutions on Syria, Burma/Myanmar and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Freedom of religion and belief and Rights of the child, which were all comfortably adopted.