International Geneva adapts to structural change, strengthens coordination and increases efficiency
Berna, 14.09.2026 — International Geneva has proved resilient in the face of geopolitical shifts and the resultant impact on multilateralism. The urgent measures taken by the Confederation, Canton and City of Geneva in 2025 are bearing fruit: no international organisations have left Switzerland and two new institutions have arrived in recent months. Job losses in the international sector have also not been as heavy as feared. The Swiss and Geneva authorities are strengthening their cooperation to ensure these positive developments continue.
At a meeting today in Geneva, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Cantonal Councillor Nathalie Fontanet and Mayor of Geneva Christina Kitsos reviewed developments in International Geneva. They discussed the measures implemented to ensure it adapts to a new international context in which many international organisations are faced with shrinking budgets. The talks provided confirmation of Geneva's resilience as an international hub and underscored the need to maintain efforts and strengthen coordination between the Confederation, Canton and City.
Targeted investments bear fruit
These positive developments are the result of targeted investments decided upon by the Federal Council in June 2025, aimed at improving the use of resources available to international organisations and modernising their infrastructure, particularly in the digital sector.
The work is being done in close cooperation with the Canton and City of Geneva. The Geneva authorities have, for example, worked in partnership the Fondation Hans Wilsdorf to create the Foundation for the Adaptation of International Geneva (FAIG), which supports projects to accelerate the digital transformation and facilitate the pooling of specific services between Swiss-based international organisations and between NGOs.
Several indicators point to the effectiveness of the measures. The number of states represented in Geneva has increased to 185 – 6 more than in 2023. Meanwhile, job losses in the international sector have indeed occurred, but remain limited to 9.1%.
Maintaining efforts in the face of increased competition
Despite these encouraging results, there are still challenges to overcome. Competition between international hubs is intensifying as an increasing number of states note the political, economic and diplomatic benefits of hosting international organisations on their territory. At the same time, the financial pressure on multilateral cooperation is set to continue.
In order to anticipate these developments and consolidate Geneva's position in the long term, Ignazio Cassis, Nathalie Fontanet and Christina Kitsos have agreed to reinforce coordination between the Swiss and Geneva authorities. A steering committee will play a strategic role in meeting key challenges such as the modernisation of digital infrastructure.