Page 202 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International

domain, crisis diplomacy, which permeates all spheres of activity, has recently
acquired particular importance. Prevention, peace-keeping and, indeed, peace-
building in its entirety are represented here. It should be noted that Geneva is
the main link in diplomatic negotiations on the former Yugoslavia, the
Georgian-Abkhaz conflict and East Timor, and a place for "quiet diplomacy" in
other crisis regions. It is also the second place of activity of the UN Secretary-
General after New York.

The Conference on Disarmament, a unique multilateral negotiating mech-
anism, is working in Geneva. Following the successful elaboration of a
Chemical Weapons Convention, the Conference has strengthened its reputa-
tion as the main "forge" of international disarmament agreements. Today, it is
actively working on a draft treaty on a complete and comprehensive ban on
nuclear tests. The Conference also deals with many other disarmament issues,
in particular security assurances to non-nuclear-weapon States, transparency of
armaments and the prevention of an arms race in outer space.

Further development and improvement of international law is one of the
main tasks of the UN. Geneva plays a very prominent role in this regard.
Regular meetings of the International Law Commission, which generates
major undertakings in this area and serves as a leading body for the codification
and harmonization of international law, are held here.

Actually, good prospects may open up for Geneva in the field of decision-
making, given its huge potential. Annual meetings of the Security Council at
the level of foreign ministers could well be held here. Incidentally, such a
possibility is provided for in Article 28 of the UN Charter. Special sessions of
the UN General Assembly and review conferences on arms limitation and
disarmament treaties may also be held in Geneva

Historically, social and economic issues have been a most important
activity of the UN agencies in Geneva. They deal with humanitarian issues,
human rights, trade and development, health, labour, refugees or technical
cooperation. Their focus is on people, their well-being, and their daily lives.

The work of those bodies is practical and, unfortunately, often remains
invisible to the public. Those organizations include UNCTAD (United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development), the United Nations
Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees, the Department of Humanitarian Affairs,

180