Geneva Barometer

Developments among Geneva-based international organisations from mid-October to mid-December 2022

The ‘Geneva Barometer’ takes an occasional look at selected developments among international organizations based in Geneva.

Überraschung bei der Ersatzwahl des Schweizer Bundesrats

Albert Rösti (SVP) und Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (SP) ersetzen Simonetta Sommaruga und Ueli Maurer

Durch den Rücktritt der langjährigen Bundesratsmitglieder Ueli Maurer (Schweizerische Volkspartei, SVP) und Simonetta Sommaruga (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz, SP) war eine Ersatzwahl von zwei der sieben Schweizer Bundesräte notwendig geworden. Entgegen der Erwartungen setzte sich die linke Elisabeth Baume-Schneider gegen die favorisierte Basler Parteigenossin Eva Herzog im 3. Wahlgang durch. Keine Überraschung gab es hingegen beim SVP-Kandidaten: Hier setzte sich mit dem ehemaligen Parteivorsitzenden Albert Rösti der Favorit gegen seinen Parteifreund Hans-Ueli Vogt durch.

Geneva Barometer

Developments in the Geneva-based international organisations from the end of July 2022 to mid-October 2022

The “Geneva Barometer” takes an occasional look at selected developments in the international organisations based in Geneva.

Hauchdünne Mehrheit für überfällige Rentenreform

Dritter Abstimmungssonntag der Schweiz – Wachsende Sorgen um die Energieversorgung im Winter

Beim dritten Abstimmungssonntag des Jahres in der Schweiz stand vor allem die Reform der ersten Säule der Altersvorsorge, der sog. Alters- und Hinterlassenenversicherung (kurz: AHV) im Vordergrund. Mit knapper Mehrheit beschloss das Schweizer Stimmvolk sowohl die Anhebung des Renteneintrittsalters für Frauen auf 65 Jahre sowie eine Mehrwertsteuererhöhung zur Finanzierung der AHV. Damit gelang erstmals seit 27 Jahren eine – wenn auch im Umfang recht begrenzte – Reform der Altersvorsorge. Deutlich scheiterte hingegen die von Tierschützern lancierte Massentierhaltungsinitiative. Abseits der Themen des Abstimmungssonntags nahm in den vergangenen Wochen auch in der Schweiz die Diskussion um die Energieversorgung im Winter Fahrt auf.

Geneva Barometer

Developments in the Geneva-based international organisations from mid-April to the end ofJuly 2022

The “Geneva Barometer” takes an occasional look at selected developments in the international organisations based in Geneva.

A dramatic milestone is reached – the UNHCR's new Global Trends report

The "Geneva Telegram" explores events in Geneva-based multilateral organisations on a current topic. This time, the focus is on the new global trends report of the UNHCR.

On the 16th of June 2022, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) presented its new global trends report. While the report focuses mainly on developments in the calendar year 2021, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine in particular pushed the number of displaced persons over the 100 million mark within just a few weeks.

Geneva Telegram – WTO gives clear life sign at Ministerial Conference

The "Geneva Telegram" explores events in Geneva-based multilateral organisations on a current topic. This time, the focus is on the 12th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

After having been postponed several times, the 12th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) took place in Geneva from 12-17 June with a two-year delay. Originally, the high-level meeting, to which several thousand delegates of the 164 WTO members, media and other stakeholders were invited, was to take place in Kazakhstan in 2020. However, the meeting had to be rescheduled multiple times because of the COVID-19 pandemic before it finally took place in Geneva - formally with Kazakhstan as co-host. In light of the WTO's crisis, which has been going on for years, the ministerial conference was seen as an important stress test for its ability to (re-)act.

Three Scenarios for the Impact of the War in Ukraine on Syria

Russia's war against Ukraine could broadly take one of the following three trajectories: 1) End of the conflict through a political settlement, or full withdrawal of Russian troops, 2) Prolonged war within Ukraine or 3) Spiralling hybrid war between NATO and Russia outside of Ukraine. Although the third option should not be excluded, as of April 2022, the second one is the most likely while the first option is the least likely in the coming six months to a year.

Strategies of Authoritarian States in the UN Human Rights System

A Closer Look at the UN Human Rights Council

After the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), it took years for the Organisation of the United Nations (UN) to elaborate and adopt legal instruments and control mechanisms. This resulted in a global human rights system, still far from perfect, but thanks to which concerns for human rights gradually emerged in international diplomacy. However, as never before, this system is currently under pressure by authoritarian States.

Geneva Telegram - The World Health Assembly caught between pressure for reform & political tensions

The "Geneva Telegram" explores events in Geneva-based multilateral organisations on a current topic. This time, the focus is on the 75th World Health Assembly.

The 75th World Health Assembly (WHA), which took place from May 22-28 of May 2022, was shaped by current geopolitical tensions and wars. This was reflected in the Assembly's theme: "Health for Peace, Peace for Health". In his opening statement, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus referred to the disastrous health consequences of wars, whether in Ukraine, Yemen, or Ethiopia.