Human rights, UN reforms and science diplomacy: Switzerland's priorities for the 74th UN General Assembly
Bern, 13.09.2019 - Switzerland adopted its priorities for the 74th UN General Assembly. The Federal Council was informed, at its meeting on 13 September 2019, of the result of the consultations with the Foreign Affairs Committees. The priorities concern the protection of human rights, support for the UN reform processes, and the promotion of science diplomacy. Switzerland will be represented at the high-level opening of the UN General Assembly at the end of September by President of the Confederation Ueli Maurer and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.
Switzerland's participation in the UN is an important pillar of its foreign policy and multilateral engagement. The Federal Council has now set three priorities for the coming year. These are derived from Switzerland's two main strategic objectives at the UN for the 2012–22 period: peace and security, and the UN reforms.
The Federal Council had decided in June on priorities to adopt for the upcoming General Assembly of the UN, opening in September. The FDFA then submitted the priorities to the two foreign affairs parliamentary committees to obtain their views. The Federal Council was informed of the result of these consultations at its meeting on 13 September 2019.
Switzerland's three priorities for the 74th UN General Assembly are:
- Human rights: The focus here is on freedom of expression, assembly and association as well as women's rights (especially violence against women).
- Reform processes: The UN system must be robust, effective and efficient. Switzerland therefore supports the reform processes initiated by UN Secretary-General António Guterres along the three major reform tracks: peace and security, development activities in the field, and a strong management and leadership culture.
- Science diplomacy: Developments in science and technology are rapidly evolving. Through increased collaboration between science and diplomacy, it is endeavoured to create a suitable framework for the UN to also address these global challenges. The Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator Foundation (GESDA) is an innovative platform designed to anticipate social phenomena triggered by new technologies.
Continuing its efforts against climate change, Switzerland will announce that it is to raise its emissions reduction target for 2050 on the basis of new scientific evidence and aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The promotion of sustainable development remains a key concern, as does the development of metrics to track progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Switzerland is therefore hosting the UN World Data Forum in October 2020.
Regarding peace and security, Switzerland is committed to strengthening conflict prevention. Its humanitarian aid focuses on protecting civilian populations, providing access to those in need and ensuring respect for international humanitarian law. Switzerland's bid for a seat on the UN Security Council during the 2023–24 term remains another key issue.
The 74th UN General Assembly in New York begins on 17 September 2019 and lasts one year. Numerous heads of state and government will be present during the high-level week of the General Assembly, which opens on 23 September. Switzerland will be represented by its president, Ueli Maurer, and foreign minister, Ignazio Cassis.
The general debate of the member states will commence on 24 September. On that day, President Maurer will make a speech on behalf of Switzerland. He will also participate in several high-level meetings, including the UN Secretary-General's Climate Action Summit, and an event to mark the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. In addition, he will hold a number of bilateral talks.
As head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr Cassis will attend several events, including a high-level forum on Syria, a World Economic Forum meeting on the fringes of the Climate Action Summit, and an EU ministerial meeting. He will also hold various bilateral talks with his international counterparts.
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