GENEVA

MULTINATIONAL

Geneva’s position as a leading international city goes back centuries, but gained global importance when it was chosen to be the seat of the League of nations in the 1920s. Later, the establishment of the European Headquarters of the United Nations heralded the arrival of many international organisation, multinational corporations, non-govermental organisations and international companies. For over half a century, Geneva has thrived in developing a rich, rewarding multilingual, multicultural environment that, coupled with the exceptional character and location of the city, offers an unequalled location for international activities.

4 AGRICULTURE & WINE PRODUCTS

    Visit of local farms with sampling of products

THE DIFFERENT THEMES TO BE DISCOVERED:                                                                     

Geneva’s industries and commerces are eager to make exchanges with foreign companies and people specialised in their fields of activity.

Geneva Tourism & Convention Bureau assembled this list to present its industries and commerces. It will enable you to discover and learn about the regional products.

The complete list and contacts for the organisation of such visits can be found on our web page:

www.geneva-tourism.ch.

4NUTRITION   Chocolat makers

                          Cheese dairies

                          - Dairy products

                          - Laiteries Réunies

4EDUCATION

     Visit of specialised schools such

     as the hotel business school

4ENERGY

     Water power plant -

     Cantonal Energy Service     

     Information Centre

4ENVIRONMENT

     Waste treatment plants

     Water filter station

     Composting station

     Horticultural centre

4CLOCK & WATCHMAKING

     Franck Muller watchland SA

4INDUSTRY

     OPI - Office for the Promotion of

     Geneva Industry

     Geneva Free Ports & Warehouses Ltd.

     Jaeger & Bosshard SA

     CCIG - Geneva Chamber of Commerce

     and Industry

4INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

     CERN - European Organisation for

     Nuclear Research

     UNO - United Nations Office in Geneva

     ITU - Interntional Telecommunication

     Union

4SERVICES

     Geneva Palexpo, Exhibition and

     Conference Centre

     Swiss post, Geneva Postal Centre of

     Montbrillant

     Geneva International Airport

     TSR, Television Suisse Romande

     Printing Center in Geneva:

     Edipresse Genève SA

     Unireso, Geneva’s Public

     Transportation System

     Air traffic services provider: Skyguide

4HEALTH

     Private Hospital

     Retirement Home

UNITED NATIONS CENTRE FOR PEACE-BUILDING

Owing to its character and history, as well as its privileged position in the heart of Europe, Geneva has earned a worldwide reputation as “the city of peace“. This reputation was enhanced in 1946 when the Palais des Nations, originally built for the League of nations, became the European headquarters of the United nations, established one year earlier. The support of Switzerland as host country - combined with the spirit of internationalism and humanitarianism that are best defined as “l’esprit de Genève“, that has contributed to making Geneva the second largest United Nations center in the world, outside of Headquarters in New York. In addition to the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), five of the Organization’s specialized agencies are based in Geneva.

SEE THE UNITED NATIONS AT WORK

UNOG is the largest and most active centre for conference diplomacy in the world. Every year it hosts some 350 international conferences and assemblies, which involve more than 8,000 separate meetings attended by more than 25,000 delegates. Many important negotiations conducted by the United Nations in its untiring efforts to promote human rights, disarmament, humanitarian aid, development cooperation and protection of the environment take place on the shores of Lake Geneva. The Palais also hosts negotiations concerning the settlement of armed conflicts.

Visit the palais des Nations and learn more about he role, aims, structure and activities of the United nations, an organisation for peace, justice and progress, the only existing universal mechanism for change.

DISCOVER THE UNIQUE ARCHITECTURE OF THE PALAIS DES NATIONS AND ITS ARTISTIC AND CULTURAL TREASURES

Guided tours at the Palais des Nations, situated in beautiful Ariana Park on the banks of the Lake Geneva, provide an immensely popular tourist attraction. The Palais boasts of magnificient views of the Lake and the Alps, capped by the towering mont-Blanc. In addition to seeing first hand the United Nations at work, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the unique art deco architecture of the Palais and its collection of art and monuments, most of which have been donated by governments and individuals as expression of their commitments to improving international peace, human rights and the well-being of the world’s people. After more than 70 years, the Palais is now a unique “living musum“ of arts, crafts and styles representing cultures and ideals from countries around the world.

A team of five leading european architects designed the Palais des nations, combining the stark monumentalism and Art Deco style that were typical of the time. Built between 1929 and 1936, and extended in 1973 with a new wing, it is twice as large as the 17th century Château de Versailles, where the treaty establishing the League of nations was adopted in 1919. The Palais des Nations has some 2,000 offices and 34 conference rooms.

THE VISITORS’ SERVICE WELCOMES THE PUBLIC THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

The Palais des nations is open to visitors every day from April to October, from 10 am to noon and from 2 pm to 4 pm.

In July and August, every day from 10 am to 5 pm.

The rest of the year, from Monday to Friday from 10 am to noon and 2 pm to 4 pm (except over the Christmas period).

The Service offers:

4 Lecture tours in 15 languages (upon reservation)

4 Film screenings

4 Souvenirs and United Nations publications in the

   UN Bookshop

4 Special programmes on demand

    (for groups with reservations)

4 Catering facilities (reservations required, groups only).