Following the conclusion of a trip to Latin America, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis took part in an open debate at the UN Security Council in New York on 16 July on the maintenance of international peace and security. Russia holds the presidency of the Council in July. The head of the FDFA defended the principles of a fairer, more democratic and more sustainable world order. In view of the crisis of multilateralism, he recalled the importance of the United Nations Charter and the Geneva Conventions for the defence of individual and collective freedoms. "Since the adoption of the Charter, we, the peoples of the United Nations, have built brick by brick the foundations of our universal commitments; and together we have sought to create a better world: less poverty, alleviated epidemics, humanitarian aid for those who need it," he told the Security Council.
Even if freedom must be at the centre of the multilateral order, it can only be guaranteed for all if it is protected by rules. Federal Councillor Cassis explained this in New York. Rules of principle and rules of law. These include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted over 75 years ago. "These universal norms have made it possible to build a world in which the force of law should ultimately prevail over the law of force."
Anniversary of the Geneva Conventions
In May 2023, the head of the FDFA had already led a debate on the role of trust in diplomacy: a key element for the Security Council to fulfil its mandate. In it, he reaffirmed the need for states to seek dialogue. Switzerland in particular did this by organising the international Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Bürgenstock in June. "We were far from all in agreement on the paths to peace, but we endeavoured to create a basis of trust for progress," the Federal Councillor assured. He also stated that Switzerland, as the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions, was ready to assume its responsibility for a world order based on humanitarian law, as the Geneva Conventions are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year.
