Geneva Solutions • 12th December 2025

As US exit looms, WHO chief defends job cuts and scientific independence

Nearly a year after the United States announced it would leave the World Health Organization and donor support became scarce, the UN agency’s head said it had “no choice” but to slash jobs.

SWI swissinfo.ch • 28th November 2025

What the US pullback means for Switzerland’s climate priorities

The absence of the United States - the world’s largest economy and its second-largest polluter - casts a long shadow over international climate negotiations. For Switzerland, the US void has reinforced its position on climate finance, while hindering the possibility of a fossil fuel phase-out.

SWI swissinfo.ch • 22nd November 2025

COP 30: Switzerland reinvigorates its climate offsetting plan

As negotiations at the United Nations climate conference in Belém drew to a close, Switzerland announced the creation of an alliance of countries supporting a carbon offset scheme it pioneered.

SWI swissinfo.ch • 22nd November 2025

How a global plan to preserve forests launched a carbon offset debate

Efforts to preserve rainforests were high on the agenda at the latest United Nations climate conference, held at the edge of the Amazon. The journey of a UN-backed scheme to prevent deforestation through carbon payments and offsets exposes the challenges of influencing climate-related practices from afar.

SWI swissinfo.ch • 22nd November 2025

Drug trade, land grabs threaten Amazon communities on climate front lines

Against the backdrop of COP30 – the first United Nations climate conference held in the Amazon – Indigenous communities whose rainforest preservation efforts are key to climate solutions are facing new, violent threats as a UN carbon offset scheme struggles to take hold.

Geneva Solutions • 21st November 2025

Fossil fuels fight engulfs Cop30 as vulnerable states warn adaptation can’t wait

As Cop30 negotiations enter the final stretch and fossil fuel politics consume the talks, countries increasingly affected by climate change-driven disasters press for more focus on adaptation.

Geneva Solutions • 19th November 2025

Indigenous groups say big forest funds don’t cut it for them

The UN’s first Amazonian climate conference has put a spotlight on primary rainforests and the need to support their preservation. But Indigenous groups have their own proposals.

SWI swissinfo.ch • 6th November 2025

What to expect from Switzerland’s climate diplomacy at COP30

Ahead of the United Nations COP30 talks, which open in the Brazilian city of Belém next week, Switzerland is sending mixed signals about its engagement in climate diplomacy.

Le Temps SA • 3rd November 2025

Le mercure, poison de la ruée vers l’or, au cœur de discussions à haut niveau cette semaine à Genève

Alors que les cours de l’or atteignent des niveaux record, la convention protégeant humains et environnement contre les effets toxiques du mercure utilisé illégalement pour produire ce métal précieux est sous pression. A Genève, une réunion internationale discutera des moyens de freiner son commerce.

Geneva Solutions • 2nd November 2025

Mercury rising: gold rush highlights Minamata Convention gaps

As gold prices soar to record levels, a convention aimed at protecting people and the environment from the toxic effects of mercury, illegally used by small-scale miners to produce the precious metal, is under pressure. Countries meeting this week in Geneva will discuss how to curb its trade.

Geneva Solutions • 26th October 2025

Cop of flop? Priced out of Belém, Geneva delegations keep it low-key

Less than two weeks out from the climate summit in Belem, Geneva-based UN agencies, NGOs and civil society regulars scale back their delegations – squeezed by budget constraints and sky-high hotel prices.

Geneva Solutions • 17th October 2025

What it takes to negotiate a successful ceasefire – and make it last

As hope flickers that the Gaza ceasefire will stick this time, veteran mediators who have been here before warn that peace brokered after any war won’t last unless political and military talks advance together.

Geneva Solutions • 5th October 2025

How Trump’s crusade against migration reverberates in Geneva

Nine months after launching his campaign promise to crack down on migration, Trump is taking a swing at the UN asylum system. As countries meet this week in Geneva to discuss funding for refugee protection, what will the US rhetoric mean for international agencies?

Geneva Solutions • 27th September 2025

Humanitarians are ready for reset – but what does it mean?

As the UN rushes to come up with ideas to reboot the multilateral system, humanitarian leaders say they are ready to put plans in action, beating other sectors to the start line.

Geneva Solutions • 23rd September 2025

At UN New York meet, diplomats shy away from reform talk

Delegations are mulling over the UN’s recent reform proposals as leaders gather in New York at a historic, albeit existential moment for the organisation.

Geneva Solutions • 21st September 2025

UN faces dark future if nations don’t act, says analyst ahead of high-level meet

A week after the UN secretary general proposed a new 2026 budget that would cut nearly a fifth of staff, experts warn that its financial crisis will still get a lot worse unless urgent and reasoned measures are taken. Ronny Patz, an academic specialising in UN finances, explains why.

Le Temps SA • 1st September 2025

Au Pérou, le défi colossal de la régularisation de la production d’or

Alors que le cours de l’or flambe, les enjeux liés à la traçabilité de ce dernier sont plus que jamais d’actualité. Une initiative suisse a renforcé sa surveillance à la suite d’un accident meurtrier au Pérou en 2023. Reportage dans ce pays, premier producteur d’or d’Amérique du Sud.

Chemical & Engineering News • 29th August 2025

As UK eyes copying foreign chemical approvals, questions persist

A public consultation on the UK government’s proposal to base some of its chemical approvals on the work done by “trusted foreign jurisdictions” closed earlier this month. But experts question how decisions will be made to avoid dangerous substances being imported, manufactured, and used domestically.  The Labour government has pr...

Geneva Solutions • 22nd August 2025

Donor crisis prompts a rethink on rules of collaboration for humanitarian data partnerships

Under pressure from aid cuts, humanitarian groups may be exposing themselves and people they serve to privacy risks as they seek support from the private sector to improve efficiency. As artificial intelligence gains ground, experts say the rules of the game are due for a rethink.

Geneva Solutions • 7th August 2025

Tedros says 400 WHO jobs phased out – half in Geneva

Amid a sweeping internal restructuring, the head of the global health organisation confirmed that 400 positions have been slashed through early retirement and non-renewal of contracts, half of which in headquarters in Geneva.