Page 466 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International

specialized agencies and fifteen other UN Organizations, it also hosts
numerous other non-UN entities. There are about 200 permanent missions in
Geneva from three diplomatic corps accredited to the UNOG, the Conference
on Disarmament and the WTO. There are more than 170 non-governmental
organizations.

In recent years Geneva's role in the UN system has been renewed and re-
invigorated. As a result of the reform initiated in 1993, Geneva has
strengthened its traditional, key role as a center for norm setting and opera-
tional activities and has at the same time acquired new functions as the
repository of “know-how” in a variety of field. Thus, Geneva has now become a
three-dimensional center or triangle of international cooperation in its key-area
- conference diplomacy. Every year the UNOG services about 8000 interna-
tional meetings-almost double the number held in New York at UN
headquarters. They range from technical sessions to assemblies and negotia-
tions on major environmental, political, economic and social issues.

So, let me finish by saying that through international cooperation in action,
Geneva greatly improves the quality of people's daily lives throughout the
globe 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.

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