Housed at the Palais des Nations, the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) serves as the representative office of the Secretary-General at Geneva. A focal point for multilateral diplomacy, UNOG services more than 8,000 meetings every year, making it one of the busiest conference centres in the world. With more than 1,600 staff, it is the biggest duty stations outside of United Nations headquarters in New York.
Providing key infrastructure and support, UNOG contributes significantly to the Organization’s efforts to maintain international peace and security, to advance disarmament, to protect and promote human rights, to eradicate poverty, to implement sustainable development practices and to provide fast, effective humanitarian relief in emergencies – to mention just a few of the tasks. A large number of dignitaries and high-level delegations come to UNOG every year to participate in bilateral exchanges, intergovernmental meetings, conferences and other events, making UNOG a centre for information sharing and exchange.
UNOG performs representation and liaison functions with permanent missions, the host Government and other Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, research and academic institutions at Geneva as well as other organizations of the United Nations common system at Geneva. UNOG also facilitates inter-agency cooperation and cooperation with regional organizations.
The Office provides financial and administrative support services to more than 20 Geneva-based organizations/departments as well as entities located in Bonn and Turin. It manages the United Nations facilities in Geneva and provides conference services for the United Nations meetings held at Geneva and at other locations as well as for specialized agencies under standing or special arrangements.
UNOG is also a centre for an on-going exchange among cultures through its Cultural Activities.
UNOG is headed by a Director-General at the level of Under-Secretary-General who is accountable directly to the Secretary-General.
