ABC Schweiz UNO - en
ABC Schweiz UNO - en
Switzerland – UN
Index
Introduction 5 F
Fact-finding mission 23
Glossary 8 Food and Agriculture Organization 23
Food security 24
Founding of the United Nations 24
A Functions 25
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 8 Funding 26
ACT group 9
Actors 9
G
General Assembly 27
B General debate 28
Blue Helmets and Blue Berets 11 Genocide 28
Global Governance 29
C
Charter of the United Nations 11 H
Combating corruption 12 Headquarters 30
Combating crime 13 Health 30
Combating human trafficking 14 High-level Political Forum
Convention on the Rights of Persons on Sustainable Development 31
with Disabilities 14 Human rights 31
Conventions 15 Human Rights Council 33
Coordination of Switzerland's UN policy 16 Humanitarian aid 34
Counter-terrorism 16
I
D Internally displaced persons 35
Development cooperation 18 International Court of Justice 35
Disarmament 19 International Criminal Court 36
Drugs 20 International Fund for Agricultural
Development 37
International Geneva 37
E
International justice 38
Economic and Social Council 21 International law 39
Emblem and flag 21 International Law Commission 40
Environment 22 International organisations 41
3
M S
Migration dialogue 42 Sanctions 60
Millennium Development Goals 46 Secretary-General 60
Mission 47 Security Council 61
Special envoys, special representatives and
special advisers 62
N
Specialised agencies of the United Nations 62
Neutrality 47 Subsidiary organs 63
Non-proliferation 48 Summits 64
Swiss nationals at the UN 64
O Switzerland – host state 66
Observer status 49
Office of the UN High Commissioner U
for Human Rights 49 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 67
Office of the UN High Commissioner UN days, weeks, years, and decades 68
for Refugees 50 UN Women 68
Official languages 51 UNESCO 69
UNICEF 70
P United Nations Office at Geneva 71
Palais des Nations 52 United Nations Relief and Works Agency
Paris Agreement 53 for Palestine Refugees in the Near East 72
Peacebuilding Commission 54 United Nations Secretariat 72
Peacekeeping mission 54 The United Nations System 44
Poverty reduction 55 United Nations University 73
Prohibition on use of force 55 Universal Declaration of Human Rights 74
Protection architecture 56
V
R Veto powers 75
Reforms 57
Refugee Convention 57 W
Related organisations 58 Women 75
Resolutions 58 Women, Peace, and Security 76
Rio Process for sustainable development 59 Working at the UN 77
World Food Programme 78
World Health Organization 78
4
Introduction
Switzerland has been a full member of the United Nations (UN) since 2002.
Even before it joined, Switzerland was involved in numerous UN specialised
agencies and programmes, participated in special missions and provided
experts. It was the first country to be granted observer status in the UN
General Assembly in 1946.
The UN was founded in the final stages of World War II with the aim of
avoiding future world wars. It has 51 founding members, and its objectives
are set out in its Charter:
•• to maintain international peace and security
•• to develop friendly relations among nations
•• to solve international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or
humanitarian nature through international cooperation
•• to promote and strengthen human rights and fundamental freedoms
for all, regardless of race, sex, language, or religion.
5
As an organisation, the UN does not have the powers or the authorities
of a world government. It is a voluntary association of sovereign states
that are committed to shared values and goals. However, its decisions and
resolutions affect the international community – in particular in the area of
legislation and international justice. Since the end of the Cold War, the UN
has had greater political leeway. More and more frequently it intervenes
to mediate in crises and conflicts, carry out peacekeeping operations, and
protect civilian populations.
The UN's Headquarters are in New York, where its principal organs, the General
Assembly, the Security Council, and the Economic and Social Council, con-
vene. Its second largest office is in Geneva, which houses the United Nations
Office at Geneva, as well as the Human Rights Council and numerous UN
specialised agencies and organisations. Two-thirds of the UN's global activ-
ities take place in Geneva, where international conferences, negotiations,
and talks are held in all of the UN's areas of activity throughout the year.
The UN has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize no fewer than nine times.
In 2013, it was awarded to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical
Weapons (OPCW) and in 2005 to the International Atomic Energy Agency
6
(IAEA) in Vienna and its Director General, Mohamed ElBaradei. Previous
prize-winners include UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2001, the UN
peacekeeping forces in 1988, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in
1954 and 1981, the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1969 and the
United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in 1965.
This edition of the ‘ABC’ explains UN institutions and bodies, defines key
terms in UN vocabulary, and provides an overview of Switzerland's UN pol-
icy without claiming it to be exhaustive.
7
Glossary
A
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The 2030 Agenda builds on the Millennium Develop-
ment Goals, which guided international development
cooperation efforts between 2000 and 2015. It sets
out the priorities of global sustainable development for
the period up to 2030. Over 150 heads of government
adopted the 17 goals and 169 targets at a New York
summit in September 2015.
8
Switzerland will compile a comprehensive country re-
port for the UN by 2018 on the status of SDG imple-
mentation. The Federal Administration will determine
the areas in which the country will take action and re-
port on how it intends to achieve the 17 global SDGs.
ACT group
ACT is an informal cross-regional group comprising
more than 20 member states working to enhance the
accountability, coherence, and transparency of the UN
and the Security Council in particular. The group was
launched in May 2013.
Actors
In the UN there are three major groups of actors: states,
civil society, and the UN administration.
9
The principle of one country, one vote applies for the
member states in every UN body. This means that each
UN member state – irrespective of its size and signifi-
cance in global politics – participates in the UN General
Assembly on an equal footing. The only exception is the
Security Council due to the veto right of the five perma-
nent members.
10
B
Blue Helmets and Blue Berets
The military personnel deployed by the UN – often re-
ferred to as 'Blue Helmets' or 'Blue Berets' on account
of their blue headwear – carry out peacebuilding and
peacekeeping operations worldwide. Depending on the
type of mission, troops are unarmed or lightly armed for
self-defence. Member states provide military personnel
for peacekeeping missions on a voluntary basis.
C
Charter of the United Nations
The UN Charter of 26 June 1945 is the UN’s founding
treaty. As an international treaty, it sets out the rights
and obligations of member states and defines the UN’s
responsibilities and organs. It also enshrines the funda-
mental principles of international relations – from sov-
ereign equality (one country = one vote), to prohibiting
threats or use of force in international relations and im-
posing sanctions in case of violations.
11
•• the International Court of Justice: the principal judi-
cial organ of the UN and international justice
•• the Trusteeship Council: was composed of the five
permanent members of the Security Council from
1975 to 1994, when it suspended operations. Its
original task was to supervise administration of trust
territories (mainly former colonies).
Combating corruption
Switzerland ratified the UN Convention against Corrup-
tion of 31 October 2003 in September 2009. It con-
tains provisions aimed at preventing corruption as well
as promoting and facilitating international cooperation
in providing mutual legal assistance and technical as-
sistance to developing and emerging countries. It stip-
ulates that illicitly acquired assets must be repatriated
under certain conditions (Chapter V).
12
Combating crime
The international community created an instrument to
combat global criminal organisations and their transna-
tional activities with the UN Convention against Trans-
national Organised Crime of 2000 (the "Palermo Con-
vention"). Its parties agreed on a shared definition of
a criminal organisation and committed themselves to
comply with minimum standards in terms of require-
ments and measures as well as to engage in interna-
tional cooperation. The convention is supplemented by
three optional protocols on combating human traffick-
ing, migrant smuggling, and firearms.
13
Combating human trafficking
The UN is committed to fighting human trafficking as
part of its efforts to combat crime. In November 2000,
the General Assembly adopted two additional protocols
in this area. They were adopted at the same time as
the Convention on Transnational Organised Crime. The
‘guardian’ of the Palermo Protocol to Prevent, Suppress
and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women
and Children, is the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UN-
ODC), which is based in Vienna. It coordinates efforts
and supports related programmes. The UNODC bases
its efforts on the four pillars: prevention, protection,
prosecution, and cooperation.
14
Conventions
This is a standard term used to describe multilateral,
legally binding agreements that are usually concluded
under the auspices of international organisations and
which regulate issues of international relations or inter-
national law.
15
Coordination of Switzerland's UN policy
Swiss UN policy is coordinated in Bern by the United
Nations and International Organisations Division
(UNIOD) within the Federal Department of Foreign
Affairs (FDFA).
Counter-terrorism
While the term ‘terrorism’ is not defined under interna-
tional law, activities that characterise terrorism are for-
bidden in principle, particularly under human rights law
and international humanitarian law. Following the at-
tacks carried out in the United States on 11 September
2001, the Security Council and the General Assembly
adopted a range of counter-terrorism resolutions and
conventions to strengthen multilateral cooperation in
this area. The UN launched an action plan to prevent
violent extremism in December 2015.
16
an Office of the Ombudsperson to examine sanctions
against Al Qaeda members and take decisions. Full
compliance with obligations under international law in
efforts to combat terrorism and its financing is a priority
for Switzerland.
17
D
Development cooperation
The UN plays a central role in international development
cooperation and humanitarian aid. Efforts to reduce dis-
parities between rich and poor contribute to ensuring
peace and security as poverty reduction, development,
and human rights are closely interconnected. The UN
runs aid programmes on the ground, carries out aware-
ness-raising activities, works with national governments
to define and implement national development plans,
and coordinates international missions. In September
2000 the UN adopted the Millennium Declaration,
which gave rise to eight global goals – the Millennium
Development Goals – that were to be achieved by the
end of 2015. In 2016, the 2030 Agenda replaced the
Millennium Development Goals.
»» Humanitarian
Besides the General Assembly and Economic and So- aid
cial Council, a number of specialised agencies and pro- »» Combating
grammes deal with development cooperation within poverty
the United Nations system. These include the UN Devel- »» Millennium
Development
opment Programme (UNDP), UNICEF, the UN Population Goals
Fund (UNFPA), the Food and Agriculture Organization »» 2030 Agenda
(FAO), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and »» United Nations
the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the World system
Food Programme (WFP), the Office for the Coordination »» General
of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Health Or- Assembly
ganization (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme »» Economic and
Social Council
on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Office of the UN High Com-
»» UNICEF
missioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Na-
»» Food and
tions Environment Programme (UNEP). Agriculture
Organization
Switzerland is one of the largest donor countries to UN »» UN Women
programmes. Some 40% of its development aid funds »» World Health
are allocated to projects within the scope of UN devel- Organization
opment cooperation efforts. 60% are committed to bi- »» Office of
the UN High
lateral projects, which are usually coordinated with UN Commissioner
programmes. for Refugees
18
Disarmament
Maintenance of international peace and security is a pri-
ority for Switzerland and the UN. Disarmament, limiting
global military spending, arms control, and non-pro-
liferation of weapons of mass destruction and other
prohibited weapons are central concerns. The UN is a
platform for multilateral negotiations on weapons bans,
restrictions on use and export controls. Numerous con-
ventions have been concluded under its auspices, such
as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weap-
ons (1968), the Biological and Toxin Weapons Conven-
tion (1972), the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty
(1996), the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms
and Light Weapons (2001), and the Arms Trade Treaty
(2014).
19
Drugs
Since its founding, the UN has addressed the issue of
drugs. It works at an international level to combat the
manufacture, trade, sale, and consumption of illegal
substances that cause domestic and transnational prob-
lems. These include undermining of state structures by
drug cartels, money laundering, financing of terrorism,
criminality, and public health risks.
20
E
Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), based in
New York, is the principal UN organ dealing with global
economic matters and social issues. It coordinates co-
operation between states in these areas. This includes
promoting higher standards of living, solving economic,
social, and health problems, and promoting human
rights, culture, education, and humanitarian aid.
21
The flag consists of the official UN emblem in white,
centred on a light blue background. Use of the flag is
governed by the UN flag code and regulations.
Environment
The UN's most important environmental body is the UN
Environment Programme (UNEP), which is headquar-
tered in Nairobi with a Regional Office for Europe in
Geneva. The UNEP collects and evaluates global envi-
ronment data, develops political instruments for envi-
ronmental protection, and acts as an advocate for man-
aging the environment wisely. In the ‘Rio+20’ outcome
document ("The future we want"), the UN member
states committed to strengthening the role of the UNEP
as the leading global authority in environmental mat-
ters.
22
F
Fact-finding mission
Fact-finding missions are used to ensure that the com-
petent UN organs have all the relevant facts at their
disposal when acting to maintain peace and security.
Fact-finding missions usually involve independent ex-
perts ascertaining the facts of a situation (if possible on
the ground), for example in cases of suspected serious
violations of human rights and international humanitarian
law. The experts do not render a judgement; instead,
they report and make recommendations. UN fact-finding
missions can be commissioned by the Security Council,
the General Assembly, the Secretary-General, or the
Human Rights Council.
»» Security Council
Switzerland is committed to truth, accountability, and »» General
international law and supports fact-finding missions. Assembly
Swiss experts can also take part in such missions. One »» Secretary-
General
example is former international prosecutor Carla del
»» Human Rights
Ponte, who sits on the Independent International Com- Council
mission of Inquiry on Syria, which was commissioned by »» Swiss nationals
the Human Rights Council in 2011. at the UN
23
Food security
Food security means that enough food is produced and/
or available at affordable prices in a particular region
to ensure that nobody has to go hungry and all people
can lead a healthy and active life. The UN is committed
to adequate food as a human right and promotes rural
development and targeted investment in agriculture.
»» Food and
Switzerland campaigns for food security within the scope Agriculture
of UN programmes and agencies. It is also involved in bi- Organization
lateral programmes to support smallholders and family »» International
farms to produce healthy food available to all. The aim Fund for
Agricultural
is to help farmers boost production for themselves, their Development
regions, and for international markets, while preserving »» World Food
natural resources for future generations. Programme
24
The UN’s indirect precursor was the League of Nations,
which was founded after World War I with the aim of
strengthening international cooperation and safeguard-
ing world peace. Because the League of Nations failed
to achieve this aim, preparations began during World
War II to establish a successor organisation.
Functions »» International
law
The UN is an association of sovereign states and has
»» General
its own legal personality under international law. It has Assembly
rights and obligations under international law but is not a »» Security Council
supranational organisation like the European Union. UN »» Economic and
member states retain full sovereignty in all matters and Social Council
do not relinquish any decision-making powers to the UN. »» United Nations
Secretariat
The principal UN organs are the General Assembly, the »» International
Court of Justice
Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the
»» Trusteeship
Secretariat, the International Court of Justice, and the Council
now inactive Trusteeship Council. Each organ has its »» UN system
own rules of procedure. The UN system also comprises »» Specialised
specialised agencies, subsidiary organs, organisations, agencies
and various funds and programmes. »» Subsidiary organs
25
Funding
The UN is funded through mandatory contributions
from member states and through voluntary contribu-
tions. While development cooperation and humanitar-
ian aid are mainly funded through voluntary contribu-
tions, mandatory contributions cover the regular UN
budget, the cost of peacekeeping operations, the Inter-
national Court of Justice in The Hague and the interna-
tional criminal tribunals (e.g., for the former Yugoslavia
and Rwanda), as well as renovations of the UN head-
quarters in New York.
26
G
General Assembly
The General Assembly (also known as the plenary as-
sembly) is the forum of all UN member states. Under
the UN Charter, each state has one vote. The General
Assembly oversees and approves the UN budget and
reviews reports from subsidiary organs.
27
General debate
The General Assembly convenes every September at the
UN headquarters in New York for its annual session. It
opens with a two-week general debate. Each of the 193
member states has 15 minutes to speak about a topic
of its choice. This task is usually performed by heads of
state or government as they take precedence over min-
isters and diplomatic officials under international proto-
col. No decisions or resolutions are adopted during the
general debate.
Genocide
Prevention and punishment of genocide is set out in a
UN convention of 1948. The Rome Statute of the In-
ternational Criminal Court established international
jurisdiction in 2002 to prosecute those responsible for
genocide. Actions that aim at complete or partial anni-
hilation of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group
qualify as genocide. These actions include notably:
•• killing
•• inflicting serious physical or mental injuries
•• measures designed to prevent births or physically
eliminate a particular group
•• forcible transfer of children to another group.
28
Global Governance
Global governance can be defined as development of a
system of institutions and rules as well as mechanisms
of international cooperation to tackle global problems,
challenges, and transnational issues. This involves the
UN system, international organisations, state and non-
state actors, and regional organisations. Global govern-
ance is characterised by:
•• working together to seek solutions to global chal-
lenges
•• creating political structures as well as interdiscipli-
nary and cross-cutting networks
•• addressing the division of responsibilities at different
political levels.
29
H
Headquarters
The UN has its main headquarters in New York and
three other headquarters, which are known as UN »» United
offices, in Geneva, Nairobi, and Vienna. The largest UN Nations Office
workforce is at the UN Office at Geneva, where numer- at Geneva
ous UN agencies, such as the World Health Organiza- »» World Health
Organization
tion (WHO), the Office of the UN High Commissioner
»» Office of
for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Human Rights Council the UN High
are located. Commissioner
for Refugees
Agreements between the UN as an international organ- »» Human Rights
Council
isation and the relevant host country or country where
»» International
the organisation is located determine the legal status by Geneva
making provisions for privileges and immunities of the »» Switzerland
organisation and its staff. – host state
Health
Health is a fundamental human right and, as a key fac-
tor in development, makes an important contribution
to social security, peace, economic stability, and thus
also reducing poverty. The UN promotes global health.
It works to ensure that people around the world have
access to healthcare, vaccines, clean drinking water, and
adequate sanitation. Health issues have become more
important internationally as a result of globalisation and
international mobility since diseases and infections do
not stop at national borders.
30
High-level Political Forum on Sustainable
Development
During its 67th session in 2013, the General Assembly
adopted a resolution on the format and organisational
aspects of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable
Development (HLPF), a steering committee for sustain-
able development set up in 2012. The Forum replaced
the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. It
convenes every four years under the auspices of the UN
General Assembly and every year under the auspices of
the Economic and Social Council. The next meeting un-
der the auspices of the UN General Assembly will take
place in 2019. It is a universal forum in which all mem-
ber states have full membership.
Human rights
Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings,
whatever their race, colour, sex, language, religion,
political or other opinions, national or social origin,
property, birth or other status. They are universal, in-
alienable, and indivisible. They include civil and political
rights, as well as economic, social, and cultural rights.
31
•• International Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination
•• Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhu-
man or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
•• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Dis-
crimination against Women
•• Convention on the Rights of the Child
•• International Convention on the Protection of the
Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of
Their Families
•• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabili-
ties
•• UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons
from Enforced Disappearance.
32
tion and the conviction that protection of human rights
serves the cause of peace and international stability.
33
The Council meets at least three times a year for at least
10 weeks in total. The UN General Assembly elects the
47 members by an absolute majority for a three-year
term. In the event of serious and systematic human
rights violations, the UN General Assembly can suspend
a member of the UN Human Rights Council by a two-
thirds majority. It made use of this for the first time in
March 2011, when Libya was suspended due to violence
used against anti-government protesters.
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid targets people in need regardless
of race, gender, language, religion, political opinion,
or social status. It is based on a series of international
agreements such as the Geneva Conventions and the
UN Refugee Convention and is guided by the interna-
tionally recognised principles of humanity, neutrality,
impartiality, and independence.
34
I
Internally displaced persons
Internally displaced persons or internal refugees are
people who have been forced to flee their homes due
to armed conflict, violence, human rights violations,
or natural or human-made disasters. Unlike refugees,
internally displaced people stay within their own coun-
tries and are therefore not protected by the UN Refugee
Convention.
35
International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague
began work in 1946 and is one of the UN’s six principal
organs. It replaced the Permanent Court of International
Justice, which was established in 1922. Its main function
is to settle disputes between states that have accepted
its jurisdiction. It also gives advisory opinions on legal
questions at the request of the General Assembly and
Security Council. Individuals and non-state entities
cannot refer matters to the ICJ. The court has its own
statute, which is an integral part of the UN Charter and
regulates its functioning.
»» Charter of the
United Nations
The 15 judges who make up the Court are elected for »» General
nine-year terms by both the General Assembly and the Assembly
Security Council. They must be of different nationalities. »» Security Council
36
International Fund for Agricultural
Development
The International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD) works to promote agricultural development and
reduce poverty in rural areas of developing countries.
The Fund is both a UN specialised agency and an inter-
national financial institution. It aims to raise the incomes
and improve food security for poor rural populations by
helping them adapt to changing environmental and
economic conditions.
37
International Geneva
After New York, Geneva is the most important centre
for international cooperation, multilateral negotiations,
international dialogue, and mediation. Two thirds of the
UN's global activities in these areas take place in Geneva,
which means the city plays host to some 2,700 inter-
national conferences and meetings every year. The UN
and the UN Office at Geneva employ some 9,500 staff,
more than any other UN location in the world.
International justice
The international justice system is underpinned by the
International Court of Justice (ICJ), to which states can
submit cases in the event of legal disputes with other
states.
38
tain time. From 1999 to 2007, former Swiss Attorney
General Carla del Ponte served as chief prosecutor at
the UN international criminal tribunals for war crimes
committed in the former Yugoslavia and genocide car-
ried out in Rwanda.
39
International law
International law consists of rules and principles gov-
erning relationships between states. It is the foundation
of peace and stability for the benefit and protection of
all people. International law covers various topics, such
as prohibition on use of force, human rights, protection
of people in armed conflicts (international humanitarian
law), and combating terrorism and other serious crimes.
It regulates cooperation at intergovernmental level in
the areas of the environment, trade, development, tele-
communications, and transport.
40
International Law Commission
A subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly, the In-
ternational Law Commission consists of 34 recognised
experts in international law, each elected by the General
Assembly for a five-year period. It meets in Geneva.
International organisations
Under international law, an international organisation
is a permanent association of at least two states dedi-
cated to supranational tasks across national borders. In-
ternational organisations are usually established on the
basis of a multilateral constituting agreement (charter)
that defines the organisation's tasks, rights, and obliga-
tions. They must also have at least one organ which has
the power to act. International organisations have their
own legal personality; however, the individual states re-
tain their sovereignty and do not surrender any rights to
the higher authority.
41
M
Mediation
Mediation is an instrument of diplomacy. Modern me-
diation is understood to be the constructive support
for peace processes by third parties with the aim of de-
veloping long-term sustainable solutions with all those
concerned. Mediation is a process undertaken voluntar-
ily by conflict parties, and in international peace pro-
cesses may be complex and take months or years.
Migration dialogue
The international dialogue on migration is important to
Switzerland. It promotes cooperation and builds bridg-
es between countries of origin, transit, and destination.
Switzerland is working to integrate the issue of migra-
tion more effectively within the UN system. During
preparations for the 2030 Agenda, Switzerland played a
leading role in ensuring inclusion of goals on migration.
42
(GFMD), a platform for sharing information and expe-
rience and for promoting closer cooperation between
states and other actors. The Forum is held once a year,
with the role of chair rotating between its members.
Switzerland chaired the GFMD in 2011. It is also a mem-
ber of the Steering Group.
43
The United Nations System
UN Principal Subsidiary Organs Funds and Programmes1 R
Organs Main and other sessional committees UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNID
Di
Disarmament Commission • UNCDF United Nations Capital Development Fund
Human Rights Council UNIT
• UNV United Nations Volunteers an
International Law Commission
General UNEP 8 United Nations Environment Programme UNS
Standing committees and ad hoc bodies
Assembly UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNU
Security
Council
Subsidiary Organs International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
Counter-terrorism committees (ICTY)
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT)
Military Staff Committee
UN
44
Research and Training Other Entities Related Organizations
Notes:
1 All members of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB).
ODA United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs 2 UN Office for Partnerships (UNOP) is the UN’s focal point vis-a-vis the United Nations Foundation, Inc.
1
ODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 3 IAEA and OPCW report to the Security Council and the GA.
DPI/2470 rev.4 —15-12814 —September 2015
4 WTO has no reporting obligation to the GA, but contributes on an ad hoc basis to GA and Economic and Social Council
OG United Nations Office at Geneva (ECOSOC) work on, inter alia, finance and development issues.
5 Specialized agencies are autonomous organizations whose work is coordinated through ECOSOC (intergovernmental level)
-OHRLLS Office of the High Representative for
he Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing and CEB (inter-secretariat level).
6 The Trusteeship Council suspended operation on 1 November 1994, as on 1 October 1994 Palau, the last United Nations Trust
Countries and Small Island Developing States
Territory, became independent.
ON United Nations Office at Nairobi 7 International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) are
2 not specialized agencies but are part of the World Bank Group in accordance with Articles 57 and 63 of the Charter.
OP United Nations Office for Partnerships 8 The secretariats of these organs are part of the UN Secretariat.
OV United Nations Office at Vienna
This Chart is a reflection of the functional organization of the United Nations System and for informational
purposes only. It does not include all offices or entities of the United Nations System.
45
Millennium Development Goals
The international community adopted the Millennium
Declaration at the UN Millennium Summit in September
2000. This gave rise to the Millennium Development
Goals, a catalogue of measures with eight specific goals
and dates for achieving them to tackle extreme poverty
by 2015. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for
the subsequent years were set out in the 2030 Agenda.
46
Mission
A mission is the term used for a representation of a
state abroad or in an international organisation. Like the
majority of member states, Switzerland maintains an
official diplomatic representation (‘Permanent Mission’)
to the UN offices in Geneva, New York, and Vienna.
»» Switzerland
The Permanent Mission in Geneva also represents Swit- – host state
zerland as the host state and is a key point of contact »» International
for questions relating to International Geneva. Geneva
N
Neutrality
The law of neutrality was codified in the Hague Conven-
tion of 18 October 1907 and is also part of customary
international law. It sets out the rights and obligations
of neutral states.
47
Non-proliferation
Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and
other banned weapons is a key aim of both the UN and
Switzerland. Switzerland seeks comprehensive, world-
wide elimination of all weapons of mass destruction
(disarmament). It is also imperative to prevent such
weapons from falling into the hands of armed non-state
actors.
48
O
Observer status
The General Assembly can grant observer status to
states, state-like entities, and international organisa-
tions. For example, as non-member states with observer
status, the Vatican and Palestine can participate in UN
General Assembly negotiations but cannot propose
or vote on resolutions. They also have the right to be
represented at the UN headquarters in New York by a
permanent observer mission. Switzerland was also a
non-member state with observer status from 1946 until
it joined the UN in 2002.
49
rights experts commissioned by the UN, as well as inde-
pendent investigation and monitoring committees.
50
As part of its humanitarian aid budget, Switzerland con-
tributes around CHF 40 million a year to the UNHCR. In
addition to a basic contribution, Switzerland funds UN- »» Refugee
Convention
HCR programmes through its humanitarian aid efforts.
»» Humanitarian
It also provides experts to the UNHCR. Therefore, the aid
UNHCR is one of the four main beneficiaries of Switzer- »» Swiss nationals
land's multilateral humanitarian aid. at the UN
Official languages
The official languages of the UN are Arabic, Chinese,
English, French, Russian, and Spanish. At every formal
meeting, simultaneous interpretation into and out of
these languages must be provided. All official UN doc-
uments must be available in these languages within a
reasonable time frame.
51
P
Palais des Nations
The building complex of the Palais des Nations has
housed the United Nations Office at Geneva (or UNOG)
since 1946. The Palais was built between 1929 and
1936. It was initially the seat of the League of Nations.
It will be completely renovated for the first time, and an
additional new building will be built on the site between
2017 and 2023. The General Assembly adopted the
Strategic Heritage Plan project for the historical building
in December 2015.
52
Paris Agreement
The Paris climate agreement was signed at the UN
headquarters in New York in April 2016. It will enter into
force once it has been ratified by the 55 states which
together account for 55% of global greenhouse gas
emissions. The agreement aims to limit global warming
to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels with the
aim of halting rising temperatures. The states agreed
to set a reduction target that would be reviewed every
five years.
53
Peacebuilding Commission
The General Assembly and Security Council adopted a
joint resolution for a Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) in
2005. The PBC aims to prevent failure of peace process-
es. Around half of post-conflict countries relapse into
armed conflict within five years. The PBC advises and
supports states in post-conflict situations, promotes
dialogue between actors, coordinates security, devel-
opment, and humanitarian efforts, and helps mobilise
resources.
Peacekeeping mission
Peacekeeping missions (peacebuilding missions) are an
important UN instrument for conflict resolution and cri-
sis management. Peacekeeping missions are approved
by the UN Security Council and are based on three prin-
ciples:
•• impartiality
•• the consent of the conflicting parties to deployment
of peacekeeping troops
•• use of force exclusively in self-defence and defence
of the mandate.
54
Poverty reduction
Combating poverty and need worldwide is one of the
core tasks of the UN and a priority of Switzerland's
foreign policy. The UN's long-term goal is to eradicate
extreme poverty and to significantly reduce poverty and
hunger worldwide through international development
cooperation.
55
The Security Council monitors compliance with the
prohibition on use of force and intervenes by deploy-
ing peacekeeping operations and imposing mandatory
measures (sanctions) to avoid conflicts. Enforcement
primarily depends on the willingness of member states
to implement decisions of the Security Council. The
UN has neither a police force nor an army. While the
»» Charter of the
Security Council can authorise military interventions or United Nations
commission peacekeeping operations, no member state »» Sanctions
is obliged to provide troops to the UN for military op- »» Security Council
erations. The deployment of national armed forces is »» Peacekeeping
always voluntary. mission
Protection architecture
Civilian populations suffer particularly severely in mod-
ern conflicts that not only involve armies but also private
and semi-private armed groups. Children and women,
the most vulnerable groups within the population, are
particularly affected by such conflicts. Children are
forced into military service, and women are systemat-
ically humiliated and raped.
56
R
Reforms
Switzerland is committed to ensuring a strong and effi-
cient UN that can rise to global challenges. Therefore, it
is an active and pragmatic participant in key reform pro-
cesses such as founding the Human Rights Council. In
terms of reforming the working methods of the Securi-
ty Council, it proposes, among other things, that states
that are not represented on the Security Council should
be more closely involved in its deliberations. It also calls
for the five permanent members of the Security Council
to voluntarily renounce their power of veto in cases of
genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
Refugee Convention
Those forced to leave their home country out of a jus-
tified fear of persecution meet the official definition
of ‘refugees’, whether the cause is their race, religion,
nationality, membership of a particular social group,
or political convictions. Since their home state can no
longer guarantee protection, refugees are protected
57
under the UN Refugee Convention of 1951 and its 1967
protocol, which govern the status of refugees. The prin-
ciple of non-refoulement is particularly important. This
prohibits repatriation of individuals to states where their
lives or freedom are in danger.
Related organisations
Related organisations work closely with the UN. Such
cooperation is based on an international agreement,
not on Article 63 of the UN Charter, as is the case with
the specialised agencies. Examples of related organ-
isations are the World Trade Organization (WTO) in
»» Charter of the
Geneva, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) United Nations
in Vienna, and the Organisation for the Prohibition of »» Specialised
Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague. agencies
Resolutions
Decisions taken by international organisations and inter-
national conferences are called resolutions. They usually
begin with a preamble followed by a number of opera-
tive paragraphs.
58
By contrast, resolutions of the General Assembly and
the Economic and Social Council are not legally bind-
ing in principle but have the character of recommen-
dations. If they are adopted by consensus or with an
overwhelming majority by the General Assembly, they
may still have significant political weight, depending on
the context.
»» International
General Assembly resolutions that concern internal or- organisations
ganisational or budgetary matters are legally binding on »» Charter of the
United Nations
the Secretariat. The budgets and distribution formula
»» General
for member state contributions decided on by the Gen- Assembly
eral Assembly have a legally binding character to the »» Security Council
extent that payment default can lead to voting rights »» United Nations
being suspended. Secretariat
59
S
Sanctions
Sanctions are an important instrument for the UN to
ensure peace and security. Sanctions may be of a dip-
lomatic, economic, or military nature and can be taken
against a state, against individuals, or against organisa-
tions that jeopardise international peace.
Secretary-General
The Secretary-General is the highest-ranking official in
the UN administration and represents the organisation
to the outside world. He is head of the Secretariat at the
UN headquarters in New York and the three UN Offices
at Geneva, Nairobi, and Vienna. He coordinates the
daily activities with the Secretariat and participates in
meetings of the principal UN organs. He is responsible
for the UN's budget and financial accounts and reports
annually to the General Assembly on the UN's adminis-
trative activities.
60
Security Council
The Security Council is one of the principal organs of
the UN and bears the main responsibility for main-
taining international peace and security under the UN
Charter. The Council deals with specific conflict situ-
ations and issues that may jeopardise world peace or
international security, or concern protection of civilians
(‘protection architecture’). It is the only UN organ that
can impose measures that are binding on all member
states. Switzerland has been working consistently since
2005 towards improving the working methods of the
Security Council.
61
»» Resolutions
Security Council decisions on all procedural matters
»» Charter of the
require affirmative votes of nine members. Other United Nations
resolutions must also be approved by nine members, »» Protection
which must include the five permanent members architecture
(veto powers). Sanctions imposed against a state that »» Veto powers
endangers world peace and international security are »» Sanctions
usually binding on all UN member states. »» Reforms
»» Secretary-
The first Swiss national to hold such a position was General
Johannes Manz, who was the special representative of the »» Swiss nationals
Secretary-General for Western Sahara from 1990 to 1991. at the UN
62
based on Article 63 of the UN Charter. The Economic
and Social Council coordinates the agencies’ coopera-
tion with one another and with the UN. It carries out
consultations and makes recommendations.
Subsidiary organs
Besides the specialised agencies, the UN system also
comprises a multitude of subsidiary organs. These include
the funds and programmes that make up a large part of
the UN's operating activities. They include, for example,
the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF, the
UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Food
Programme (WFP), UN Women and the Office of the UN »» Specialised
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). agencies
»» UNICEF
The subsidiary organs also include the Human Rights »» UN Women
Council, the Conference on Disarmament, the UN Con- »» Office of
the UN High
ference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), as well Commissioner
as the three research and training institutes: UNITAR for Refugees
(the UN Institute for Training and Research), UNIDIR (the »» Human Rights
UN Institute for Disarmament Research), and UNRISD Council
(the UN Research Institute for Social Development). All »» Disarmament
are based in Geneva. »» General
Assembly
»» Security Council
Subsidiary organs are usually established by the princi-
»» Economic and
pal UN organs (General Assembly, Economic and Social Social Council
Council, or the Security Council) and are financed for »» International
the most part through voluntary contributions. Geneva
63
Summits
UN summits are conferences at which heads of state
or government represent their states. The high-level
events always focus on specific current issues. A final
declaration summarises political goals and action pro-
grammes.
64
•• Hans Dreyer: Director of the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) Plant Production and Protection
Division
•• Thomas Gass: Assistant Secretary-General for Policy
Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs at the De-
partment for Economic and Social Affairs within the
UN Secretariat (UNDESA)
•• Monique Jametti Greiner: Member of the Govern-
ing Council of the International Institute for the
Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) from 2014 to
2018
•• Pierre Krähenbühl: Commissioner-General of the
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Pales-
tine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
•• Philippe Lazzarini: Deputy UN Special Coordina-
tor for Lebanon (UNSCOL); UN Coordinator and
Representative of the UN Development Programme
(UNDP)
•• Nicolas Michel: Special Adviser, Office of the Special
Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria/
Under-General-Secretary
•• Michel Mordasini: Vice-President of the International
Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
•• François Xavier Putallaz: Member of the UNESCO
International Bioethics Committee (IBC) from 2014
to 2017
•• Serge Rumin: Member of the panel tasked with
reviewing the UN's Police Division
•• Christoph Schelling: Member of the Committee of
Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters »» Food and
from 2013 to 2016 Agriculture
•• Flavia Schlegel: Assistant Director-General for the Organization
Natural Sciences at UNESCO »» Special adviser
•• Patricia Schulz: Member of the Committee on the »» United Nations
Relief and
Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CE- Works Agency
DAW) until 2018 for Palestine
•• Gaudenz Silberschmidt: Director for Partnerships Refugees in
the Near East
and Non-State Actors and Director a.i. for Coor-
»» Human Rights
dinated Resource Mobilization at World Health Council
Organization (WHO) »» UNESCO
•• Jean Ziegler: Member of the Human Rights Council »» World Health
Advisory Committee from 2013 to 2016. Organization
65
Switzerland – host state
Switzerland has been home to international organisa-
tions for over a century. It is also a host state of the
UN, which has its European headquarters in Geneva.
Like foreign embassies, the office of the UN and its
institutions enjoy diplomatic immunity under interna-
tional law. A 1946 bilateral agreement on the privileges
and immunities of the UN governs relations between
Switzerland as the host state and the UN, as well as the
associated rights and obligations.
66
U
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is an
international human rights treaty that sets out all the
rights of children. It is based on the principle that chil-
dren are subjects, not passive objects, with a distinct
set of rights. Under the Convention, the child's welfare
must be the primary consideration in any decisions
affecting a child. 194 states parties have signed the
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (as of 2016),
albeit in some cases with restrictions. This makes it the
most widely ratified UN human rights treaty.
67
UN days, weeks, years, and decades
The UN dedicates days, weeks, years, and decades to
particularly important political, social, cultural, human-
itarian, and human rights issues. This allows it to focus
global attention on the issues and to organise themed
activities. Some examples are World AIDS Day on 1
December, World Refugee Day on 20 June, the Inter-
national Year of Water Cooperation 2013, and the In-
ternational Year of Family Farming 2014 as well as the
Decade for the Eradication of Poverty 2008–2017 and
the Decade on Biodiversity 2011–2020.
UN Women
UN Women is a UN agency for gender equality and
women's empowerment. It was set up in 2010 as the
result of a merger of four UN agencies that campaigned
for equality. The agency is based on the concept of
equality enshrined in the UN Charter. It aims to give a
voice to women and girls at the global, regional, and
local levels. Its main activities are:
•• eliminating discrimination against women and girls
•• empowering women
•• achieving equality between women and men as
partners and beneficiaries of development, human
rights, humanitarian action, peace, and security.
68
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) is a specialised agency of the UN
based in Paris. It was founded in 1945. The organisation
currently has 195 member states, including Switzerland,
which joined in 1949. The primary objective of UNESCO
is to preserve peace through international cooperation
and understanding in the fields of education, science,
and culture. It is also committed to poverty reduction,
sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue.
69
UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
was founded in New York in 1946 as a children's relief
fund to provide emergency food and healthcare to chil-
dren in countries that had been devastated by World
War II. Today, UNICEF mainly works in developing coun-
tries, where it provides support to mothers and chil-
dren in the areas of health, family planning, hygiene,
nutrition, and education, and provides humanitarian aid
where needed. Its efforts focus on five main strategic
areas:
•• child survival and development
•• basic education and gender equality
•• HIV/AIDS and children
•• protecting children from violence, exploitation, and
abuse
•• implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of
the Child.
70
United Nations Office at Geneva
The UN's European headquarters are in Geneva. The
United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) housed in the
Palais des Nations is the second-largest UN office after
the headquarters in New York. With more than 1,600
staff, the office services over 8,000 high-ranking inter-
national meetings, sessions, and conferences every year.
It provides financial, administrative, and logistical sup-
port to affiliated organisations, agencies, programmes,
»» Palais des
and funds of the UN that are based in Geneva. Nations
»» Disarmament
On behalf of the Secretary-General, the office cultivates »» Human rights
relations with its host country Switzerland (Confedera- »» Combating
tion, canton and city of Geneva), the permanent missions poverty
of UN member states in Geneva, other intergovernmen- »» Health
tal organisations and NGOs, and Geneva's academic »» Environment
institutions. The UNOG is headed by a Director-General, »» Humanitarian
aid
who reports directly to the UN Secretary-General. The
»» Switzerland
UNOG Director-General also serves as Secretary-General – host state
of the Conference on Disarmament. »» Secretary-
General
Geneva is home to, among others, the UN Human »» Human Rights
Rights Council, the Office of the UN High Commissioner Council
for Human Rights (UNHCHR), the Office of the UN High »» Office of the
UN High Com-
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Health missioner for
Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organ- Human Rights
ization (ILO), the World Meteorological Organization »» Office of
(WMO), the World Intellectual Property Organization the UN High
Commissioner
(WIPO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and for Refugees
Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organi- »» World Health
zation (WTO). Organization
71
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Pal-
estine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was set up
in 1949 as a temporary aid programme. Its aim was to
support Palestinian refugees and persons displaced by
the Arab-Israeli conflict until the Palestine refugee issue
is solved. The agency's mandate has since been repeat-
edly renewed.
72
United Nations University
The United Nations University (UNU) was founded in
1973 as a subsidiary organ of the UN. It is represented
by institutes in more than 12 countries, but it is not a
traditional university with fixed teaching staff. Its var-
ious institutes work together with local partners and
usually have a ‘twin institute’ in the Third World. UNU
conducts interdisciplinary and international research
within research communities on global issues such as
development economics, sustainable development
and food. The Rector reports directly to the UN Secre-
tary-General.
73
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR),
the UN proclaims that all human beings are born free
and equal in dignity and in rights. The General Assem-
bly adopted the general principles as "a common stand-
ard of achievement for all peoples and nations" on 10
December 1948. This is commemorated every year by
International Human Rights Day on 10 December.
74
V
Veto powers
The five veto powers are the five permanent members
of the Security Council (China, France, Russia, the Unit-
ed Kingdom, and the United States). Each permanent
member has the veto power and can thus block or pre-
vent resolutions being passed. There have been around
200 vetoes since 1946.
W
Women
Gender equality and inclusion of women in all key
areas are important UN concerns. The Convention on
the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women (CEDAW) of 1979 provides the UN with a
legally binding instrument to implement women's
rights. Switzerland ratified the CEDAW in 1997 and the
optional protocol in 2008.
75
Women, Peace, and Security
Women are important actors in peace processes and
in the reconstruction phases following wars and armed
conflicts. Just like men, they have the right to partici-
pate in political decision-making processes and are also
responsible for shaping the future of their countries.
The UN Security Council resolution 1325 of 2000 and
subsequent resolutions require all actors in conflicts and
fragile situations to take into account and implement
the following points:
•• greater participation of women in peacebuilding
•• protection of the rights of women and girls during
and after armed conflicts and prevention of
gender-specific violence
•• incorporating gender perspectives in emergency
aid, in reconstruction during and after armed
conflicts, and in dealing with the past
•• incorporating gender perspectives in conflict
prevention.
76
Working at the UN
Some 90,000 people, including around 1,000 Swiss na-
tionals, work at the UN. Swiss international civil servants
come from all walks of life and are deployed around the
world. They range from the Representative of the Office
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR)
in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to an irrigation
specialist seconded to the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) in Jordan, to a human resources
specialist at the UN’s New York headquarters, to the
Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and
»» Swiss nationals
Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East at the UN
(UNRWA). »» Office of the
UN High Com-
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) sup- missioner for
Human Rights
ports well-qualified Swiss nationals who apply for po-
»» United Nations
sitions and jobs within the UN and other international Secretariat
organisations. For example, the FDFA funds various jun- »» United Nations
ior positions at the UN through the Junior Professional Relief and
Officer Programme (JPO) and organises the annual In- Works Agency
for Palestine
ternational Career Day. It also issues a newsletter listing Refugees in
job opportunities. the Near East
77
World Food Programme
The World Food Programme (WFP) – founded in 1961
and headquartered in Rome – provides emergency aid
in the wake of natural disasters and during droughts
and conflicts. It also provides long-term assistance to
people in regions beset by food insecurity. The WFP was
established by the UN General Assembly and the Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
78
Imprint
Editor:
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Design:
Visual Communication FDFA, Bern
Orders:
FDFA Information
www.fdfa.admin.ch/publication
Email: [email protected]
Specialist contact:
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