L'oeil de la Genève Internationale

The road to sustainability

The world's urban population is currently estimated at approximately 3.8 billion people and is projected to reach 5 billion by 2030. In this context, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) works to promote compact, inclusive, resilient, smart and sustainable cities.

For the first time, a team of refugees is competing at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

On 30 June 2016, the UN Human Rights Council voted to appoint an Independent Expert to investigate and report on human rights abuses against individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It is the first time that the Human Rights Council - or any UN inter-governmental body - has established a mandate specifically dedicated to protecting the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (World Drug Day) on 26 June 2016, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) launched the 2016 World Drug Report along with promoting the "Listen First" global campaign

The jury of the sixth edition of the “ICRC's Humanitarian Visa d'Or prize” has unanimously awarded the Colombian photojournalist Juan Arredondo for his work entitled "Born into conflict: child soldiers in Colombia". Since 2014, he has been exploring the fate of fighters recruited illegally into armed groups in his country. More than half of them are girls, some as young as nine.

Delaney Ruston - physician, film maker and mom – questions in her documentary "Screenagers" teenagers' relations to the digital world.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2002.

Since its inception, 70 years ago, the Swiss foundation CAUX-Initiatives of Change (CAUX-IofC) has been about creating a space for dialogue, facilitating enriching encounters to inspire, equip and connect people from around the globe towards change.

The first-ever World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) is a global call to action by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and takes place in Istanbul on 23-24 May 2016. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), through the WHS secretariat, has been the organisation driving the preparations for the Summit.

OCHA says that, today, more than 130 million people are in need of aid and protection in the world.

The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) present the first joint global report on the legal status of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in 194 WHO Member States.

In the aftermath of World War II, Europe was on its knees, and millions were going hungry. The Non-governmental organization, CARE International was set up so that people in the U.S. could send essential CARE packages to those in need across Europe. The first CARE package arrived in Le Havre, France, in May 1946.

The International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (MICR) showcases for the first time the prestigious Prix Pictet. Founded in 2008 by the Pictet Group, this award has established itself as a major award in the field of photography dedicated to sustainability. This sixth edition relates to the theme « Disorder ».

The Eduki Foundation aims to promote awareness of international cooperation. The Foundation provides themed and educational tool packs, organizes visits and meetings with experts and offers an overview of professionals operating in the field of international cooperation.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) has just celebrated the first anniversary of one of the world's most wide-ranging Disaster Risk Reduction Agreement (DRR), the Sendai Framework (2015-2030). It was adopted at the Third UN World Conference for DRR on 18 March 2015, in the Japanese city of Sendai.

The Geneva Health Forum (GHF), created by the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva, will be held from 19 to 21 April 2016 at the CICG.

On 11 February 2016, the second edition of TEDxPlaceDesNations: « Transforming Lives » took place at the Palais des Nations. This conference aims to demonstrate, through a series of compelling stories told by a wide range of speakers, the impact of International Geneva’s organisations and individuals on the daily lives of people around the world.

On the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on April 4, 2016, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) is hosting a series of public events at the Maison de la Paix and Place des Nations to promote knowledge and engagement for mine action.

The United Nations World Water Development Report titled « Water and Jobs », will be launched on 22 March 2016 in Geneva, during the official World Water Day celebrations at the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) coordinated, jointly with the UN-Habitat, the preparation of the HABITAT III Regional Report on Housing and Urban Development for the UNECE Region.

It all starts with a simple message: « Clean hands save lives ».