There is no need to dwell here on the importance that Switzerland attaches to a strong and effective United Nations that is capable of taking up the challenges presented by the modern world, especially in the fields of security, respect for human rights and sustainable development in all its aspects…
Switzerland welcomes the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip concluded last weekend by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as well as the signs of openness shown by both parties to the conflict over the past few days. We are convinced that the ceasefire could form the basis of a whole series of confidence…
Switzerland is fully aware that the process of negotiation of the draft resolution before us has taken too much time. We therefore collectively find ourselves in a difficult situation which calls for a prompt solution. In that regard, Switzerland intends to fully cooperate with you, Sir, and we are …
The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the risk that non-State actors, in particular terrorist groups, could gain access to such weapons constitute one of the most serious threats of our time. Switzerland believes that there is an urgent need to contain that threat, which concerns the …
We are happy to be here today to reaffirm our resolve to work together to combat this scourge to today’s society: road traffic accidents. We commend the Secretary-General and the representative of the Government of Oman to the United Nations for their initiative in having brought the cause of combat…
I would like first of all to thank Ambassador Arias for his briefing on the work done and the efforts made in recent months by him and all others involved in producing the report on the revitalization of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) (S/2004/124, annex).
The fight against terrorism concerns…
I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for having invited interested non-members of the Security Council to participate in this discussion, thereby making it possible for them to express their opinions on the work of the sanctions Committee and the Monitoring Group established pursuant to resolut…
The situation in the Middle East continues to be a cause of serious concern. Over the past months, we have witnessed a spiral of violence on the ground that has been reflected in a marked and alarming deterioration of the situation. Today it is urgent that we give fresh impetus to the process of neg…
The entry into force of legal instruments such as the Ottawa Convention and the 1980 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons has enabled us to make significant progress in protecting civil populations in conflict areas. Thanks to the measures adopted, the number of accidents and that of accident …
Allow me to begin by expressing my delegation’s pleasure at seeing the issue of sport as a means to promote education, health, development and peace being debated by the General Assembly at its fifty- eighth session. My country also welcomes the fact that the draft resolution on that issue is being …
Switzerland welcomes the conclusion of negotiations in the Ad Hoc Committee for the negotiation of a Convention against Corruption, which marks a significant advance in the international effort to eradicate one of the greatest scourges of our time. The Government of Switzerland calls upon States to …
Recent developments in the international situation have shown us that when it comes to certain problems, our Organization’s Member States hold differing views and do not adopt the same approach in resolving those issues. In the multilateral context, the role of the United Nations, which is the only …
Switzerland took an active part in the General Assembly’s Ad Hoc Working Group on the Integrated and Coordinated Implementation of and Follow-up to the Outcomes of the Major United Nations Conferences and Summits in the Economic and Social Fields.
Despite the important work achieved by the Group, i…
Switzerland fully subscribes to the principle of States’ primary responsibilities to eradicate poverty, to respect all human rights, to protect the environment and to promote social and sustainable development. There is, in fact, little doubt regarding the central role of States,
particularly in dr…
Switzerland has always considered the special session of the General Assembly devoted to children to be an important opportunity for the international community to reaffirm in one voice its commitment to children. Furthermore, we participated actively in the negotiations that made possible the adopt…
The Secretary-General’s reports describe, in a concise and structured manner, the complex reality faced in the
deployment of international humanitarian aid. Events that have taken place since the Economic and Social Council’s recent substantive session have made evident how numerous and significant…
At the outset, my delegation must thank the Secretary- General for his report (A/58/323) and its conclusions. The strengthening of multilateral institutions, their adaptation to new realities and respect for decisions taken collectively are indispensable to the attainment of the objectives contained…
Peace does not last unless it is founded on justice and respect for the law. This idea is expressed in the Preamble to the United Nations Charter and is one of the foundations of the Organization.
Justice and respect for law must prevail first and foremost in relations between States. They must als…
Allow me, Sir, to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month and to wish you every success. I also wish to thank the members of the Security Council for agreeing to hold an open debate.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established by a tre…
The illegal trade in rough diamonds which are mined in conflict areas is fuelling and prolonging wars. Over the past decade, such trade has contributed to the deaths of tens of thousands of people, to the massive uprooting of peoples and to the destruction of entire regions. Conflict diamonds have a…
