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international

international Geneva forever

Interview with
michael moller

Chairman, Diplomacy Forum

Geneva Science & Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) and former Director-
General of United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)

Most of us remember the days when Michael such as the business community. Geneva is
Moller was the Director-General. It was well then operational of the international system
before the renovation of the Palais started and with up to 100 International Organisations,
many of us, look back with nostalgia. Our more than 180 countries are represented, over
beloved press-bar was still around, and we 700 NGOs are based here and over 1,600
did not have dust everywhere. It was also a multinational companies have offices here. All
time when the UN was a meeting and melting of this makes for an extraordinary ecosystem
place. It was bustling with people everywhere, that’s working better and better. It makes
and never a dull moment. The Covid changed International Geneva stronger. More people
much of it all, Mr Moller retired and we were are coming here.
curious to know, what exciting things this
dynamic man was up to today. So we were Where I am working now, in the Geneva
lucky enough to get a chance to meet with him Science and Diplomacy Anticipator –is not
and ask a lot of questions, that he so kindly coincidentally based in Geneva. It is because
answered. So Mr Moller, it’s over to you. Geneva is considered a city of peace, a city
of international cooperation. International
Your contribution to International Geneva Geneva is a place for so many things including
during your tenure as Director General was – hopefully – peace talks on what is happening
outstanding, and you received the prestigious in Ukraine, and the sooner the better.
award Le Prix de la Foundation pour Genève
for your work. Do you feel that International Do you think in-person diplomacy is the only
Geneva has lost any of its importance since way to resolve conflict?
the pandemic? If so, why? No, but it is an important aspect of it. If you
On the contrary in this fragmented world, I want to make peace and in particular if you
think that International Geneva is even more want to sign a peace agreement, it is almost
important now than before. It is getting more an imperative to have personal contact.
important on a lot of issues. In a world that Technology is being used more and more,
is as confrontational as it is now, it is always and that can help us and will in the future. We
important to have a neutral space, a peace- have seen lots of very good things happening
loving and peace-making space. Geneva online for the last couple of years, and we have
is that par excellence! Of course, the Covid strengthened the coordination of it as well, so,
pandemic, starting two and a half years ago, it’s an important element, but it is not the only
put a damper on activities. It has also slowed one.
down the implementation of the Sustainable
Development Goals. During your tenure several important talks
took place here. Could you please tell us about
The collaborative gene is finally growing them and how you managed to get them
in Geneva, both among international here?
organisations and with other actors in society As I said, there is a sort of natural reflex in

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