When Switzerland joined the United Nations

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan shakes hands of then Swiss president Kaspar Villiger and foreign minister Joseph Deiss. — A picture for the history books: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (middle) shakes hands on September 10, 2002 with the then Swiss president Kaspar Villiger (left) and foreign minister Joseph Deiss.
(Keystone)

Until September 10, 2002, what did Switzerland have in common with the Vatican and East Timor?

They were not members of the UN, and shared observer status at proceedings of the world body at its New York headquarters.

We dipped into the archives to see how swissinfo.ch covered the news of September 10, 2002 when the UN General Assembly welcomed Switzerland to the club. And we highlight our analysis of Swiss membership ten years on.

Swiss take seat at world table

Switzerland has taken its place between Sweden and Syria as a fully participating member of the United Nations. After decades on the sidelines, ...

Switzerland brings neutrality and solidarity to UN

Switzerland intends to speak its mind at the United Nations, according to Swiss President Kaspar Villiger. Villiger told the UN General Assembly ...

TEN YEARS LATER

In 2012, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke to the Swiss parliament in Bern to mark the 10th anniversary, calling Switzerland the 'world's watchmakers'.

"Strong bonds" UN chief appeals for Swiss help on key issues

Addressing the Swiss parliament, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon congratulated Switzerland for making its “mark in so many ways” on ...

UN membership ten years on Ambitious Switzerland plays to its strengths

Can a small, neutral country have a significant impact on global politics? In its ten years as a United Nations member, Switzerland has focused on ...

By Sophie Douez

How the UN "Swiss paradox" was resolved

On March 3, 2002, the Swiss population narrowly voted to join the United Nations – a historic decision. It came after more than half a century of ...

By Armando Mombelli

Open Day Getting to know the workings of the UN

Geneva correspondent Simon Bradley examines local attitudes to the United Nations European headquarters, and how the tenth anniversary of ...

By Simon Bradley

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15 years ago When Switzerland joined the United Nations

Swiss take seat at world table

Switzerland brings neutrality and solidarity to UN

"Strong bonds" UN chief appeals for Swiss help on key issues

UN membership ten years on Ambitious Switzerland plays to its strengths

How the UN "Swiss paradox" was resolved

Open Day Getting to know the workings of the UN

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