Page 432 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International

strengthened its traditional, key role as a center for conference diplomacy and
UN operational activities and has at the same time acquired new functions as
the repository of “know-how” in a variety of fields. Thus, Geneva has now
become a three-dimensional center or triangle of international cooperation

Every year UNOG services about 8000 plus international meetings -
almost double the number held in New York at UN Headquarters. They range
from technical sessions to assemblies and negotiations on major political,
economic and social issues.

The major output of these conference's norm-setting activities are the
international conventions and treaties. Take the Conference on Disarmament,
which produced two major treaties in the last decade. (The Convention on the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty). I have only mentioned disarmament, but the trademark “made in
Geneva” can be found in many other treaties which are worked within the
specialized agencies and programs.

In the operational field, which is particularly strong in Geneva, activities
are consolidated in five major areas: the promotion of human rights and hu-
manitarian assistance; economic, trade and development, science and technology,
disarmament negotiation and research and training.

The international norms of behavior which serve as a kind of international
driver's license in all parts of the world and of which Geneva is the major
producer and repository, make it possible for UN Member-States to make their
national decisions on the basis of correct and accurate methods based on
technological and specific information and at the same time be guided in this
decision making by generally accepted human values.

To close, through international cooperation in action, Geneva greatly
improves the quality of peoples' daily lives throughout the world in often
unpublicized but concrete ways. This, is the major source of inspiration for all
of us - international civil servants - working in Geneva.

Thank you for your attention.

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