Director-General's remarks at the General Assembly of the Diplomatic Club of Geneva

General Assembly of the Diplomatic Club of Geneva
on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary

Friday, 8 May 2026 at 6.30 p.m.
Domaine du Grand Malagny

Mr. President of the Swiss Confederation,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,

It is a great pleasure to join you this evening for the General Assembly of the Diplomatic Club of Geneva, as we celebrate its 50th anniversary. I would like to sincerely thank President Loretan and the organizers for this invitation and for bringing together once again the many partners of International Geneva.

It is a particular honor to have with us the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Guy Parmelin, on this milestone anniversary. Your presence this evening reflects Switzerland’s strong and longstanding commitment to multilateralism and to Geneva’s role as a global hub for cooperation. I would also like to acknowledge the steadfast support of the Swiss authorities at the federal, cantonal, and city levels, which continues to underpin the work carried out here. This support is not only deeply valued, but it also remains essential to our ability to deliver, in Geneva and beyond.

Over the past 50 years, the Diplomatic Club has become an integral part of Geneva’s diplomatic life. It has brought together leaders from the diplomatic, economic, and international communities, creating a space where relationships are built and dialogue is sustained. This ability to connect people and perspectives is one of the Club’s defining strengths and a meaningful contribution to International Geneva.

In many ways, this reflects what makes Geneva unique. It is a hub that brings into one place more than 40 international organizations, a near-universal representation of Member States through 187 permanent missions, hundreds of non-governmental organizations, as well as a dynamic academic and private sector, driving collective action. This proximity creates opportunities not only for dialogue, but also for practical solutions and partnerships that respond to global challenges.

At a time when the international environment is increasingly complex and uncertain, marked by ongoing conflicts, economic volatility, climate pressures, and rapid technological change, the need for cooperation and dialogue has never been greater. Multilateralism must continue to demonstrate its value by delivering concrete results and tangible impact.

Across the United Nations system, efforts are underway to strengthen how we work, improve coordination, and ensure that our actions match the scale of today’s challenges. Initiatives agreed by Member States, including the Pact for the Future, provide important guidance in this regard.

Geneva has a central role to play in this effort. At UN Geneva alone, more than 8,500 meetings were facilitated last year, advancing dialogue across peace and security, human rights, trade, health, and emerging technologies. It is also a place where communities intersect, where public and private actors engage, and where ideas can move from discussion to implementation.

In this context, platforms such as the Diplomatic Club are particularly valuable. By fostering informal exchanges and trusted relationships, they help enable the kind of cooperation that effective diplomacy depends on.

As we celebrate this important anniversary, let us also look ahead. For multilateralism to survive, it must become more effective, more inclusive, and more accountable. This requires not only strong institutions, but also engaged communities, forward-looking partnerships, and a shared commitment to cooperation.

Let me conclude by once again warmly congratulating the Diplomatic Club of Geneva on this remarkable milestone. With continued engagement of all of you, and the strong support of our host country, I am confident that Geneva will remain a place where dialogue leads to action, and where our collective efforts will continue to deliver where it matters most.

Thank you.