International Geneva 'Must Stand Firm': French UN Ambassador

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) France's ambassador to the United Nations has called on International Geneva to stick to its principles as the United States turns it back on multilateralism. This content was published on March 17, 2025 - 09:08 2 minutes Keystone-SDA

• Français fr Genève et la Suisse doivent rester“fidèles” au multilatéralisme Original Read more: Genève et la Suisse doivent rester“fidèles” au multilatéralism

+ Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox

International Geneva grew out of the world order established under the aegis of the United States. Politically, an American withdrawal from multilateralism under President Donald Trump“is not good news”, Jérôme Bonnafont told Le Temps on Monday.

+ Foreign aid cuts: where does Switzerland stand?

Switzerland must make its own choices, but“Geneva brings something to the culture of peace and cooperation”, he added. He expresses the hope that Switzerland and Geneva will remain“faithful to the same passion, interest and conviction” to multilateralism.

New financial reality

In financial terms, the system had long been aware of its excessive dependence on the US, according to the ambassador. This has prompted reflections on the need to diversify funding sources, something that France has long supported.

+ Swiss budget cuts pile pressure on International Geneva

The financial balance of the UN will change, with China already almost on a par with the US in the compulsory funding of the UN,” points out Bonnafont. And mathematically, Indian and Brazilian contributions will grow with their economies.

As for voluntary contributions, China, the Gulf States, India and Brazil are currently relying on bilateral rather than multilateral solidarity. It will therefore be a matter of convincing these countries to devote more funds to multilateral aid, suggests the French ambassador.

More More Geneva-based UN migration office cuts fifth of workforce

This content was published on Mar 14, 2025 The UN's International Organisation for Migration HQ in Geneva is slashing 20% of its 1,000 staff due to the US aid freeze.

Read more: Geneva-based UN migration office cuts fifth of workforc

Translated from French with DeepL/mga

MENAFN23032025000210011054ID1109346432