Engagement for peace and security, and promoting human rights are just two of Switzerland's priorities at the 72nd UN General Assembly.
The 72nd UN General Assembly
Tuesday, 19.09.2017 Friday, 22.09.2017
Conference Assembly
In the third week of September, the opening of the 72nd UN General Assembly (UN GA) is in the spotlight in New York.
On 19 September, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Doris Leuthard, addresses the General Debate at the opening of the UN GA, where she presents Swiss foreign policy priorities in the context of the UN for the coming year.
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter represents Switzerland during the ministerial (high-level) week in New York at various events on current topics. He also holds bilateral discussions.
Switzerland's priorities at the 72nd UN General Assembly (PDF, 109.7 kB, English)
Switzerland's priorities at the 72nd UN General Assembly, FDFA Press release, 06 September 2017
19 September 2017 – Opening speech by President Leuthard
Federal Council President sets out Switzerland’s priorities for the coming year at UN General Assembly.
“Working together for a strong UN – for the benefit of us all”, opening speech by President Doris Leuthard, 19.09.2017
President sets out Switzerland’s priorities for the coming year at UN General Assembly, media release, DFAE, 19.09.2017
DETEC UN GA Dossier (fr)
18 September 2017 – Bilateral meetings on the margins of the UN General Assembly
The presence of many members of foreign governments offers Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter the opportunity to establish new contacts and strengthen existing bilateral relations.
In addition to participating in a variety of events being held in connection with the 72nd session of the UN General assembly, the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is also using his stay in New York to hold bilateral talks with representatives of UN member states and a range of organisations.
Federal Councillor Burkhalter met various foreign ministers in New York.
18 September 2017 – Conflict prevention through cooperation on water issues
At an event co-organised by Switzerland, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter highlights the relationship between water cooperation and conflict prevention.
FDFA Head Didier Burkhalter discusses key recommendations in the report of the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace with his counterparts from Slovenia, Senegal and Costa Rica, as well as with Danilo Türk, Chairman of the Panel, and Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.
FDFA Web file: Water A vital resource under threat
«Water and conflicts», SDC magazine «Eine Welt/Un seul monde» 3/2017 (PDF, 3.0 MB, French)
18 September 2017 – No trade in goods for the purpose of capital punishment or torture
FDFA head Didier Burkhalter supports a declaration to give political impetus to his commitment to the abolition of the death penalty and the prevention of torture.
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter takes part in the launch of the 'Global Alliance to end trade in goods used for capital punishment and torture'. The aim of this initiative by the EU, Argentina, and Mongolia is to help states regulate the trade in goods that can be used for carrying out the death penalty and torture.
The initiative seeks to achieve this goal by means of an improved exchange of experience between like-minded states and the joint signing of a legally non-binding political declaration.