Frédéric Burnand

Expertise: I mainly cover the issues dealt with by the international organisations in Geneva. Initials: fb

Fascinated by human societies and the art of describing them – a curiosity nurtured by travel, personal encounters, and reading.

‘Pakistan holds the key to Afghanistan’

This content was published on Aug 19, 2021 Ethnologist Pierre Centlivres shares his assessment of the return of the Taliban to the reins of power in Afghanistan.

Palestinian children play football in the streets of the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza Strip on July 8, 2012.

Former UNRWA boss hopeful for formal UN exoneration

This content was published on Mar 1, 2021 Pierre Krähenbühl, ex-head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, talks about why he soon expects closure on the 2019 misconduct scandal.

Will the United Nations soon be obsolete?

Is the international order capable of meeting the enormous challenges facing states and societies around the world?

Palestinian refugee agency boss says Swiss talks went well

This content was published on Nov 21, 2020 On his first official visit to Bern, UNRWA boss Philippe Lazzarini stressed the grave financial situation his organization faces.

Image of hospital workers from Patrick Chappatte s new graphic novel.

Graphic novel tells tale of Covid-19 impact

This content was published on Nov 15, 2020 In "Au coeur de la vague” [At the heart of the wave], cartoonist Patrick Chappatte tells the story of the Covid-19 health crisis.

International Geneva set to breathe easier with Biden

This content was published on Nov 14, 2020 Officials in Geneva have been breathing a collective sigh of relief at the news that Joe Biden looks set to become the next US president.

The palace at the centre of world peace

This content was published on Oct 28, 2020 Throughout the 20th century, the Palais des Nations building in Geneva was at the centre of global peace negotiations.

What’s the chance for diplomacy in Nagorno-Karabakh?

This content was published on Oct 9, 2020 Fighting between Armenians and Azerbaijanis in the Nagorno-Karabakh region has intensified. Previous talks have never managed to settle the conflict.

Countries ‘have to cooperate’, says top Swiss diplomat

This content was published on Jul 8, 2020 Valentin Zellweger, head of Switzerland’s mission to the UN in Geneva, is leaving at the end of July to take up a new post as Ambassador to Kenya. After four years in Geneva, how does he see the international stage there?

Warning from Geneva: perpetrators of Libyan atrocities will be held accountable

This content was published on Jun 30, 2020 Geneva-based political scientist Hasni Abidi discusses the recent UN Human Rights Council resolution on the Libyan conflict.

China flexes its muscles at the United Nations

Flaunting its role as a great power, China is wielding expanding influence in a UN weakened by the battering from the Trump administration.

Geneva’s United Nations HQ a ghost town under lockdown

This content was published on May 30, 2020 Photographer Mark Henley ventured into the historic UN building in Geneva to capture the deserted atmosphere.

China flexes its muscles at the UN

This content was published on May 23, 2020 Flaunting its role as a great power, China is wielding expanding influence in a weakened United Nations.

Will the United Nations soon be obsolete?

This content was published on Apr 6, 2020 Is the international order capable of meeting the enormous challenges facing states and societies around the world?

A postcard from Geneva’s vibrant Pâquis district under coronavirus

This content was published on Mar 22, 2020 A snapshot of the partial lockdown in Geneva’s Pâquis district, one of the most cosmopolitan and liveliest in the city in western Switzerland.

Can countries keep up with the spread of Covid-19?

This content was published on Mar 12, 2020 The new coronavirus epidemic has starkly exposed the weaknesses of countries' health systems.

The Iranian paradox: a regional powerhouse but weak at home

This content was published on Jan 9, 2020 Analysis: the US killing of a top Iranian commander has not diminished Iran’s regional power, but internally the regime faces an impasse.

With Geneva, Switzerland strode boldly into the 20th century

This content was published on Dec 26, 2019 After the First World War, Switzerland promoted the potential of Geneva to be a player on the international stage.

WTO faces uncertain future after appeals court shuts down

This content was published on Dec 17, 2019 The World Trade Organization (WTO) is in crisis after the collapse of its appeals court this month following heavy pressure from the United States.

Geneva exhibition examines human struggle between war and peace

This content was published on Nov 13, 2019 A unique exhibition in Geneva features priceless documents, including a 4,500-year-old peace treaty and Tolstoy's "War and Peace".