L'oeil de la Genève Internationale

While this year marks the 75th anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and 160 years since the birth of IHL, the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the world's largest humanitarian network, starts today until 31 October. This resilient woman above, a mother of ten, lost four brothers to violence in 2020. Driven by fear, she was forced to leave her home and seek refuge with a foster family. To survive, she now cultivates a small field near her former residence. This poignant photograph was captured in 2023 in Kilo, Ituri province, DRC, as she returned from receiving essential seeds from the ICRC. Like many farmers in the region, she carefully tends her land, planting gradually based on the availability of seeds.

The World Cancer Congress will take place from 17 to 19 September. UICC's flagship events is an exceptional opportunity to collaborate with global health leaders, innovators, and experts in shaping the future of cancer care. These motionless hands belong to famous Magnum photographer Martin Parr, who documented his years of treatment for Cancer. 

As a prelude to the 12th Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) from 12 to 13 September, the CCM Implementation Support Unit is organizing a discussion on 27 August with Mr. Matthieu Laruelle, Head of the Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) program at the GICHD. The discussion will focus on the fundamental principles of risk education, the achievements of recent years, and the conclusions and calls to action of the forthcoming EORE Global Mapping report. The photograph above was taken in Afghanistan in 2015 by Magnum photographer Gueorgui Pinkhassov. According to the 2023 Cluster Munition Monitor report, ‘Afghanistan declared in April 2023 that 9.9 km2 of land was contaminated with cluster munition remnants, covering 16 areas in the provinces of Faryab, Nangarhar, Paktya and Samangan.’

The Diplomatic Club of Geneva, in partnership with EPFL's Transnational Red Sea Centre (TRSC), is pleased to invite the public to discover the exhibition "Red Sea Corals." Until 3 September, the exhibit highlights the collaboration between science and diplomacy to preserve this remarkable symbol of resilience in the face of climate change called the "Reefs of Hope" on Quai Wilson. Above, a breathtaking view of the Red Sea was taken from Mouhoulé, Djibouti, by Magnum photographer Raymond Depardon in 1984.

The Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 are 75 years old today. For Geneva, Switzerland, and the ICRC, this is a historic date. From left to right: Marie Barbey-Chappuis (Administrative Councillor of the City of Geneva), Mirjana Spoljaric Egger (President of the ICRC), Nathalie Fontanet (President of the State of Geneva), Julien Thöni (Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative, Swiss Mission in Geneva).

An important week for chemicals management, waste, and pollution prevention starts today, 17 June, with the UNEP's OEWG 3 Science-Policy panel followed by the annual joint meeting to enhance cooperation and coordination between the regional centers under the Basel and Stockholm conventions on the 21 June. In 2016, photojournalist Carl De Keyzer took this image in the Agbogbloshie e-waste dumpsite in Accra, Ghana. 

On 9 June 2024, the World Trade Organization's headquarters will open its doors! This edition commemorates the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Marrakesh agreement leading to the birth of the WTO on 1 January 1995. Guided tours, Q&A with WTO staff, a photo exhibition, and diverse activities for children are a few examples of a rich program of events throughout the day. The above picture shows the mural fresco "La Dignité au Travail" by Maurice Denis given to ILO in 1931 by the International Confederation of Christian Trade Unions when the William Rappard Center housed the ILO in 1926.

On 29 May, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) invites you to the panel discussion "The Geneva Conventions 75 years on : age-old universal values responding to contemporary challenges." This event marks this important milestone by recalling the principles of humanity and respect for human dignity as defined in the Geneva Conventions. It will bring together leading researchers, practitioners, and representatives of diverse traditions, cultures, and religions to highlight not only the historical importance of the Geneva Conventions and what they have achieved but also their current impact today and the importance of international humanitarian law in the face of challenges set by war and conflict today. This image shows Indian soldiers released from a prisoner-of-war camp in China saying goodbye to the Chinese staff before heading home. It is part of the ICRC's archives on the Sino-Indian conflict between 1962-1963.

Ahead of the 77th World Health Assembly, the World Heart Federation organizes the 9th edition of its flagship World Heart Summit from 24 to 26 May. Whether it concerns cardiovascular health and environmental change or opportunities and threats of AI in cardiovascular health - whether Universal Health Coverage and health financing are at stake, high-level experts will gather and discuss today's most pressing challenges in cardiovascular health. This heart of milk was taken by Martin Parr in Dublin, Ireland, in 2019.

On 21 May, the Inter-Parliamentary Union and INTER PARES invite you to the round table: Connecting the superpowers of "digital natives" with parliament. The discussion will explore the benefits of digital natives' contribution to parliaments' pursuit of efficiency and independence. This scene was taken by Magnum photographer Ferdinando Scianna during a political meeting in Emilia-Romagna, Rimini, Italy, in 1985. 

The Committee on the Rights of the Child is holding its 96th session until 24 May 2024. The Committee, composed of 18 independent international experts, monitors how States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocols comply with their obligations. This photograph was taken by Carolyn Drake during her journey in Water Valley, Mississippi, in 2019.  It is part of the book "Knit Club" TBW Publishing. 

The Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks will be held from 29 April to 10 May. This forum operates as a platform for inter-network collaborations to improve humanitarian preparedness and response by gathering participants from the UN, NGOs, Member States, private sector, academia, and beyond. This still-life photograph of the belongings of internally displaced people was taken by Moises Saman during his journey in the Nuba Mountains, Sudan, in January 2024.

In the framework of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) HQ meeting, the Geneva Press Club invites you to the Press Conference: "Is a Global Recession inevitable?" at CICG on 24 April. FIATA President Turgut Erkeskin, Dr. Stéphane Graber, FIATA Director General, and Dawit Woubishet, FIATA Airfreight Institute Chair, will share their insights on the role of the logistics industry in the face of today's challenges. You may register to participate either in person or remotely. The above image was taken in France by Harry Gruyaert in 2001. 

No other place in the world than Geneva hosts such a range of organizations that tackle today's most pressing challenges. For the first time, 16 UN agencies and International organizations will convene at Balexert Mall from 16 to 21 April, where they invite the public to participate in various activities related to Humanitarian action, Human Rights, Health, Environment and Sustainable development, Labour, Trade, Science, Telecom, Peace, and Security. The above view of the Palais des Nations was taken by Luca Fascini in 2016 and is part of the book "International Geneva: 100 years of architecture" by Joëlle Kuntz, published by Slatkine.

For their next conference, on 18 April, the International Geneva Welcome Centre (CAGI) and the Maison internationale des Associations partner with the Office for International Solidarity. This event invites NGOs to be fully aware of the terms and conditions for receiving financial support from the State of Geneva's International Solidarity Fund to carry out initiatives in the field. Please note that registration is mandatory. This image was captured in 2018 by Emin Ozmen during his visit to Leer and Mayendit, South Sudan, where Doctors Without Borders was actively helping communities affected by conflict and displacement by providing necessary medical assistance.  

The Route des Nations has officially opened! 1.2 km long - 80% of which is underground - this new infrastructure links, since 25 March, the airport, Place des Nations, and the heart of international Geneva. 

The project took almost 7 years to complete, and its main goal is to reduce traffic in the communes of Grand-Saconnex and Pregny-Chambésy. Additionally, it aims to improve public transport, optimize traffic conditions, and make active mobility safer. 

The GE-TRANSPORTS virtual information desk is at your service to answer any questions you may have about mobility. 

For more information on the new Route des Nations, click on the following links:

• Opening of the Route des Nations: a new main road for getting around! | ge.ch
• Opening of the Route des Nations: principles of accessibility by car | ge.ch
• Opening of the Route des Nations: principles of accessibility for public transport | ge.ch
• Opening of the Route des Nations: principles for accessibility for active mobility | ge.ch

To mark World Water Day on 22 March, the Permanent Mission of Slovenia, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and the Geneva Water Hub Water invite you to the panel discussion "Water as a catalyst for cooperative climate action and peace." Opening remarks will be delivered by Prof. Celeste Saulo Secretary-General of the WMO, Mr Bruce Gordon UN-Water Vice-Chair, and H.E. Anita Pipan, Permanent Representative of Slovenia in Geneva. This suspended jump was captured by Magnum photographer Lua Ribeira in Canvey Island, England, in 2023. 

From 14 to 24 March, the Open Geneva Innovation Festival will gather members of International Organizations, NGOs, academia, public and private sectors. Since 2017, the summit has served as a multistakeholder platform that aims to stimulate exchange, open up perspectives, and find solutions for social innovation, sustainable development, global health, media, and digital transformation. This image was taken in the Geysir geothermal area of Icelande in 2024 by Magnum photographer Martin Parr. 

It has been a year since the first discussions were initiated between high-level representatives of international and non-governmental organizations, diplomats, and experts from the academic community to reflect on how international Geneva should adapt to a changing world. Whether it concerns multilateral negotiations, city diplomacy, AI and space governance, or water in the rules of war, whether it concerns humanitarian needs, Climate Action, or when human rights are at stake, the Geneva Policy Outlook addresses the challenges our world has to face and the opportunities to seize. Join the launching event of the GPO 2024 "How will Geneva remain relevant?," on 27 February, at the Maison de la Paix. This outstanding view of the Mont Blanc was taken, by Luca Fascini, from the gardens of the Palais des Nations and its famous “Celestial Sphere.”