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.
Paula Dupraz-Dobias
Paula Dupraz-Dobias is an award-winning investigative journalist and news and documentary producer with over 30 years of experience in all forms of media in Europe, North America and South America. She is based in Switzerland, but works regularly in Peru and the United States.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
Lost your job in international Geneva? Here’s what you need to know
As more staff at Geneva’s international organisations, missions and NGOs receive termination notices, the shock of losing their job has quickly given way to endless questions about how to plan ahead. Every situation will vary, but here are a few things to keep in mind, according to experts.
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Disappointed by their agencies’ mishandling of the funding crisis, fearful of reprisals for speaking out or bracing for their next career move, staff facing sudden termination or relocation share how they are navigating international Geneva’s new reality.
UN rights expert calls out world’s ‘carbon tunnel vision’
Midway between climate talks in Baku and Belém, the UN’s special rapporteur on climate accuses the fossil fuel industry of violating human rights while benefiting from the climate crisis. But as the UN grapples with existential problems of its own, she warns that the call for climate justice has just become more inaudible.
Swiss relief packages announced for international Geneva
Public authorities in Geneva and Bern have made decisions that may provide international Geneva with over CHF 300 million in relief as the multilateral hub bleeds out financially.
Experts say investing in disaster preparation pays off. But who’s listening?
As climate change turbocharges extreme weather events, disaster experts argue that anticipatory action provides a lot of bang for the buck, versus recovery costs. But, as donor countries reduce aid, it is unclear where critical funding for disaster risk reduction will come from.
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Before humanitarian aid reaches emergency hotspots, a vast network of organisations works behind the scenes, sourcing and analysing data to inform relief operations on the ground. But recent US aid cuts have hit this key sub-sector hard, forcing the organisations to make difficult choices.
World Health Assembly ends amid aid cuts and political divisions
US skips meeting for first time since 1948 as China is set to become World Health Organization’s biggest funder.
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