A high-level peer-review process for future pandemic preparedness:

Practical lessons from the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism

This paper aims to draw lessons from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) to inform a proposed peer-review mechanism anchored in the World Health Organization (WHO) focusing on emergency preparedness and recovery. As a high-level voluntary review, such a mechanism would add value through a global process of accountability and solidarity and ensure that health emergency preparedness is acted upon at the highest political level to strengthen health system resilience.

Key lessons to improve pandemic preparedness:

A short synopsis and comparison of the three main COVID-19 response evaluation reports at WHO and Member State level

This document analyses and compares the three COVID-19 response reports presented at the 74th WHA, focusing on their evaluation of the handling of the health crisis both by the World Health Organisation and Member States and their recommendations to end the current pandemic and prevent future pandemics. The analysis aims to synthesize common findings but also to highlight differences between the reports. It will provide a brief overview of the current evidence to a range of stakeholders, from policymakers to health practitioners, and can be a resource that can be used for ongoing discussions on WHO global emergency preparedness. Knowing which proposals are backed by consensus among the three expert committees, can provide insight into their effectiveness and chance for implementation.

Geneva Barometer

Developments in the Geneva-based International Organisations from mid-July 2021 to end-October 2021

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

Geneva Barometer

Developments in the Geneva-based International Organisations from May to mid-July 2021

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

Forced displacement in the context of COVID-19 – UNHCR’s new report on refugees

Forced displacement remains one of the major global challenges in 2021. On 18 June 2021, the UNHCR (United Nations’ High Commission for Refugees) presented its new Global Trends Report on the developments around the world. Many refugee situations around the world have become protracted. The situation in some regions in sub-Saharan Africa has deteriorated.

Geneva Telegram - World Health Assembly draws first lessons from the pandemic

The "Geneva Telegram" looks at events in the Geneva multilateral organizations on a current topic. This time the focus is on the 74th World Health Assembly.

The theme of the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA), held May 24-31, was "Ending this pandemic, preventing the next: building together a healthier, safer and fairer world." A central instrument discussed by Member States was the possible drafting of a new framework convention ("pandemic treaty"). Overall, as in previous years, the discussions were marred by geopolitical disputes.

Das Rahmenabkommen ist gescheitert – Ernüchterung für EU-Schweiz-Beziehungen

Einseitiger Abbruch nach sieben Jahren Verhandlung – Schweizer Bundesrat bekennt sich zur Fortsetzung des bilateralen Wegs, stellt aber keinen Plan B vor

Am 26. Mai gab der Schweizer Bundesrat endgültig bekannt, dass er das mit der EU ausgehandelte Abkommen, das sogenannte Institutionelle Rahmenabkommen (InstA), nicht unterzeichnen wird. Begründet wird dies mit den "substanziellen Unterschieden" zwischen der EU und der Schweiz. Die Entscheidung beendet die lange Zeit der Ungewissheit über das Abkommen, das darauf abzielte, den rechtlichen Rahmen zwischen der EU und der Schweiz, der sich derzeit auf 120 sektorale Abkommen stützt, zu modernisieren. Einen Alternativplan präsentierte der Schweizer Bundesrat nicht.

Concise Atlas of International Geneva 2019-2020

Developments of international Geneva in maps

On the basis of key policy areas in Geneva, the "Concise Atlas of International Geneva 2019/2020" highlights the central importance of international Geneva for global developments and multilateralism.

Geneva Barometer

Developments in the Geneva-based International Organisations from mid-February to end-April 2021

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

Ja zu Verhüllungsverbot, Ja zum Freihandel mit Indonesien, Nein zur E-Identifizierung

Drei Volksentscheide in der Schweiz mit zwei knappen Resultaten

Am 7. März war das Schweizer Stimmvolk zur Abstimmung über drei Vorlagen aufgerufen: Über ein Verhüllungsverbot in der Öffentlichkeit, über die Einführung elektronischer Identifikationsdienste ("E-ID") und ein Freihandelsabkommen mit Indonesien. Die beiden ersten Initiativen erhielten ein knappes "Ja" der Schweizer während die "E-ID" klar abgelehnt wurde.