Despite COVID-19, UN Geneva continues to be the centre of multilateral diplomacy Overview of UN Geneva’s activities between 1 April and 1 November 2020
Leading the pandemic response in Geneva
UN Geneva was the driving force behind the local COVID-19 response among UN entities • In her capacity as UN designated official for Security in Switzerland, the Director-General chaired 20 coordination meetings of the Security Management Team (representatives of Geneva-based UN entities). UN Geneva also coordinated regular meetings of security, human resources, medical and communications networks of UN presences and other organizations in Geneva • UNOG ensured that the 164,481 square meters of Palais des Nations buildings were assessed and prepared for the safe return of UN personnel and delegates and for the resumption of in-person conferencing activities, including establishing safe distancing measures and installing more than 240 hand sanitizer stations
Service Delivery
We ensured the UN had the personnel and resources it needed to deliver its mission of one of the main Service Centers of the UN Secretariat
• 3,800 personnel contracts administered and more than 1,842 Carte de Légitimation requests processed • 230,000+ payments processed for goods and services needed to implement our essential work and that of over 40 other entities serviced by UNOG • Continued to make wellbeing and counselling services available to more than 4,400 personnel, and medico-administrative services for more than 6,000 personnel in field and headquarters duty stations
The renovation of the Palais continued • Pandemic-related closures impacted the timetable of the renovation but did not block it • A three-conference room temporary structure, Tempus, completed and opened • CHF 35 M+ worth of construction and renovation works • Preparatory work of the renovation of the original building underway • Start of the Celestial Sphere Restoration Project