Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Geneva

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Flags on the Avenue of the United Nations in Geneva. 9 April 2015 — Creator: Jean-Marc Ferré Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The FES office in Geneva

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) office in Geneva serves as a liaison between the UN (United Nations in Geneva), other Geneva-based international organisations, FES country offices, and partners in developing countries to strengthen the voice of the Global South.

Focus of our work

News & Events

A row of international flags on flagpoles symbolizing multilateralism and diplomacy. — Creator: Dom Free on Pexels

2026
Peace and Security Policy
Event

Tuesday, 29.09.2026

As the world rearms, Geneva keeps diplomacy alive

National defense budgets are climbing amid rising geopolitical tensions, but multilateral diplomacy on arms trade control and new military and defense technology has not gone quiet in Geneva.

Panel at the HRC 63 Side Event — Creator: FES Geneva

2026
Human Rights and Development
Event

Thursday, 17.09.2026

60 Years of the ICCPR and ICESCR: Are the Covenants Still Fit for Today’s Human Rights Challenges?

Side event at the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council on the continued relevance of the two Covenants.

Creator: picture alliance / Ikon Images | Stuart Kinlough

2026
Trade and Development
Event

Thursday, 27.08.2026

WTO Public Forum Event: Trade in Services: The Future of Gender-Just Development?

This event at the WTO Public Forum explored the gendered impacts of recent trade fragmentation and tariff policies and discussed gender-transformative responses.

Photo of UN Secretary-General António Guterres speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance. — Creator: UN Photo/Irina Popa

2026
Human Rights and Development
Event

Monday, 06.07.2026

Global Dialogue on AI Governance

The inaugural session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance took place from 6-7 July in Geneva.

Toy cars among copper coins — Creator: birdys / photocase.de

Trade and Development

Trade is a powerful engine. But who is driving the engine? And what else needs to be done to let all parts of society benefit from trade policy? We try to empower those who are not yet the main beneficiaries of the current trade policy regime.

A person is holding a bucket from which they are sowing — Creator: mickmorley / photocase.de

Employment and Social Policy

Decent work for all is not a slogan for us. It is our mission. We work together with a vast variety of stakeholders to achieve decent work for all; for the informal and formal sector, for women and men, for more and less advantaged.

Handprint on a coloured pattern — Creator: jock+scott / photocase.de

Human Rights and Development

Human rights and a rules-based international order are central for peace, security, and sustainable development. We envision a world where human rights are a lived reality - understood, trusted, protected, and upheld by resilient institutions.

"The Broken Chair", a monument to landmine victims and symbolic appeal for respect for human rights in front of Place des Nations in Geneva — Creator: Handicap-International

Arms Control, Peace and Security

Arms control isn’t a relic – it’s a practical tool for making the world safer. By connecting governments, experts and civil society, we strengthen diplomacy, address emerging technologies, protect civilians and build fair international rules.

2026
Trade and Development
Media Center

WTO Public Forum 2026: The Trading System at a “Critical Juncture”

From 15 to 17 September, the WTO Public Forum brought together trade experts from around the world in Geneva to discuss the future of the multilateral trading system amid growing geopolitical and economic pressures.

Group Picture with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala — Creator: WTO

Human Rights and Development
Media Center
2026

UPR: A Practical Guide for Civil Society Coalitions to Engage in Implementation Mechanisms

New guide outlining how civil society coalitions can engage meaningfully across all stages of the UPR.

Cover of the Publication "Universal Periodic Review (UPR): A Practical Guide for Civil Society Coalitions to Engage in Implementation Mechanisms" — Creator: IDDH

Visit our Media Center

Publications

The UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights

Terán, Daniel Uribe | Bonn : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, March 2026

regulating corporate power in the era of deregulation

Download publication

Safeguarding civil society space at the United Nations

Scannella, Patrizia | Bonn : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, March 2026

a crucial element in human rights promotion and protection

Download publication

Assessing human rights impacts of trade agreements

Dommen, Caroline ; Browne, Martin | 2nd revised edition, Bonn : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, February 2026

why it matters - and how to do it

Download publication

Competitive international partnerships

Koch, Cédric M. ; Korn, Franziska ; Rohde, Nora ; Horn, Miriam-Lena | Bonn : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, May 2025

instruments, partner demands, and reforms for the socio-ecological transformation

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All Publications

Contact

Director

Christopher Forst

Director FES Geneva Office

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

United Nations and Global Dialogue Liaison Office | Geneva

Chemin du Pommier 42 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex, Switzerland

+41 22 733 34 50

info.geneva(at)fes.de

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