Director-General's remarks for Airline Night 2025

Airline Night 2025
Tuesday, 16 September 2025, at 6.15 p.m.
H.200 (Townhall Steps), Palais des Nations

Delivered on behalf of the Director-General by Ms. Kira Kruglikova, Director, Division of Administration, United Nations Office at Geneva

Ladies and gentlemen, 
Dear colleagues and partners,

I hope that you enjoyed the tour of the historic Palais des Nations.  It my great pleasure to join you this evening and to deliver the message of Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, who unfortunately could not be with us. 

On behalf of the Director-General, I extend a warm welcome to all of you—especially the 25 airlines represented here tonight. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the Geneva Airport Authorities, for sponsoring and initiating this event. Your vision has made this gathering possible, and we are deeply appreciative.

This evening’s visit was first proposed by the airport authorities in May of this year, and it reflects a shared commitment to advancing the values of International Geneva—values rooted in sustainability, innovation, and global cooperation.

One of the most pressing and inspiring areas of collaboration between the airport, the airlines, and the international organizations based in Geneva is our collective pursuit of carbon neutrality. The sustainability initiatives underway to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050—both in airport operations and in airline flight emissions—are not only ambitious, they are indispensable. They align closely with the United Nations’ broader climate goals and demonstrate that the aviation sector is ready to be part of the solution. Achieving true net-zero emissions, however, will demand sustained innovation, investment, and cooperation from all stakeholders — and it is precisely this shared commitment that can turn aspiration into reality and make a tangible contribution to limiting global warming.

We also commend the renovation of Geneva Airport, which marks a transformative chapter in its history. The vision of a multimodal transport hub, coupled with enhanced passenger and baggage handling capacity, will elevate the airport’s role as a gateway to global diplomacy and humanitarian action. These improvements will benefit not only travelers, but also the many international missions that rely on Geneva as a strategic base.

Allow me to take a moment to recognize the exceptional services provided by the airport authorities to United Nations VIPs, including the use of the elegant Kofi Annan Lounge. These gestures of hospitality reflect the spirit of Geneva and its dedication to international service.

We are also grateful for the preferential travel rates extended to international organizations by the airlines. These rates and related conditions enable our invitees to attend conferences, and allow our staff to travel to humanitarian operations, trade missions, and training programs around the world. This support is instrumental in helping us fulfill the diverse mandates of the United Nations.

In recent months, we have observed a tightening of visa-free access in certain regions. In this context, I would like to thank the airlines and ground handling staff at Geneva Airport for their flexibility and assistance. Your efforts ensure that our travelers on official business are not denied access at check-in, and that their missions can proceed without disruption.

Tonight is not only a celebration of partnership—it is a reaffirmation of our shared purpose. On behalf of the United Nations and the broader Geneva international community, I thank each of you for your dedication, your professionalism, and your commitment to supporting global cooperation.

Let us continue to work together—to fly greener, serve better, and build a more sustainable future for all.

Now, I would like to give the opportunity to Mr. Giovanni Russo, Director of Operations at Geneva Airport to say a few words. Mr. Russo, the floor is yours.

Thank you.