Geneva is the United Nations’ main European hub, with around 40 around international agencies headquartered there. But now another country wants to ‘steal’ these organisations from the Swiss city.
Faced with budget cuts imposed on the UN by the United States, Geneva is seeing its historic role as the centre of international diplomacy slowly faltering.
The threat these days comes not only from the Trump administration – which has already cut funding for the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as well as a number of other Geneva-based agencies and NGOs which don’t meet with the US president’s agenda.
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As a result of these measures, some other countries are swooping in to host international organisations on their territory.
According to the Tribune de Genève (TDG), both Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, and Qatar’s capital, Doha, want to take over Geneva role.
What is going on?
“Since the gradual withdrawal of the United States, UN finances have been dwindling. This weakening of the budget has sharpened the ambitions of other states eager to assert themselves in an increasingly decentralised multilateral system,” the TDG reported.
“After Rwanda, which officially offered to host certain UN functions, it is now Qatar’s turn,” the newspaper added.
A delegation of around 40 people, led by the Emir’s brother, has recently arrived in Geneva, reportedly stating its wish to host the UN hub.
“While the details of the offer remain confidential,” the TDG said, “the idea of such a relocation has sent shockwaves through Geneva’s diplomatic circles.”
Qatar’s offer is not random, according to the TDG: the Emirate has established itself as a major humanitarian centre, funding operations in politically sensitive areas such as Palestine, Sudan, Syria, and Afghanistan.
In March 2023, for instance, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) signed a headquarters agreement with Doha, guaranteeing the organisation, founded and based in Geneva since 1863, a favourable legal status in the country.
According to the TDG, Doha’s approach is “part of a coherent strategy, but it comes as a massive blow to Switzerland.
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What is Geneva’s reaction?
Obviously, the city and canton want to keep the United Nations.
To that end, Geneva’s parliament has passed a resolution to safeguard UN and NGO agencies on its territory.
The resolution also calls on Bern to develop a national strategy to promote the relevance and impact of international organisations.
This move follows the vote in the cantonal parliament in February, approving the emergency aid of 10 million francs for NGOs.
On the federal level, the government said it is committed to help Geneva withstand the funding crisis, earmarking 80 million francs for the WHO.
Other commitments too have been made in favour of international Geneva, including the renovation work which is under way at the Palais des Nations.
