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Palais des Nations – headquarters of the UN in Europe

UNO Palais des Nations Avenue da la Paix 14 Portail de Pregny 1202 Genève Phone  +41 (0)22 917 48 96 unog.ch

The office of the United Nations in Geneva is the European headquarters of the UN, the other headquarters being in New York. The building complex, called the Palais des Nations, houses the UN Human Rights Council as well as the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, among other agencies.

The Palais des Nations, the Völkerbund (League of Nations) Palace, is located in the midst of the Ariana Park, on the banks of Lake Geneva. The palace, which was built in the 1930s, was the main headquarters of the League of Nations (Völkerbund) until 1946. The building has housed the European headquarters of the UN since 1966 and is thus international territory. The palace, which has been extended to a length of 600 meters through several upgrades, contains 34 conference rooms and about 2,800 offices. Over 8,000 meetings of nations take place here every year - of these meetings about 600 are larger conventions. Individual sections are open to the public - such as the Consultation Hall, which is decorated with magnificent frescos or the large Assembly Hall, which is even larger than the Paris Opera House.

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UNO Palais des Nations Avenue da la Paix 14 Portail de Pregny 1202  Genève Switzerland

Phone  +41 (0)22 917 48 96 unog.ch Show Route

UNO Palais des Nations Avenue da la Paix 14 Portail de Pregny 1202 Genève Phone  +41 (0)22 917 48 96 unog.ch Show Route

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Geneva.info » Sights » United Nations

Initially built for the League of Nations, the construction of the Palace of Nations began in 1929 and ended in 1938, a year before the League’s demise. Further infrastructure works were undertaken in the 50’s and 60’s resulting in the building we know today. Officially, the Palace of Nations has been the ONU/UN’s headquarters since 1946, shortly after WWII. Paradoxically, Switzerland only joined the UN in 2002.

Take a bus number 8 from Gare Cornavin to Appia bus stop, right next to the UN. Another way to access UN Office: go to Palais des Nations (famous square with Borken Chair), by either tramway 15 or buses 5, 8, 11, 22, 28, V, F and Z. From here, walk a brief 5 minutes up the street Avenue de la Paix towards the main UN entry at Avenue de la Paix 12 .

United Nations Guide

Group guided tours, which are the only way how to get inside the UN, are available in over 15 languages. From the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room to the Assembly Hall, the two-hour long tour will take you across all the main landmarks of this historical building.

The Serpent Bar, an extremely 70's cafeteria with a view over the lake and peacocks walking in the front garden. The perfect opportunity to take a selfie while enjoying fair-trade organic foods and drinks.

The SAFI shop is restricted to UN Office representatives. It sells the diplomat’s full panoply, from toiletries to tailor-made suits and fancy watches. The SAFI shop is not duty-free.

A book and souvenirs shop is available to visitors, it offers a large selection of books from international governmental organisations including UNESCO.

Over the years, the UN Office has been the scene of espionage, surveillance telephone tappings were found in different rooms of the building. Conveniently, nobody ever knew what country was responsible for installing those systems.

• Art collection (2000 international works of art)
• The Re-Birth sculpture (by Michelangelo Pistoletto, unveiled October 24 th 2015)
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• Bar cafeteria
• Free WIFI hotspots

Around United Nations

• Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum - One of Geneva's top museums, mapping the history and current mission of International Committee of the Red Cross.
• Ariana Museum - glass and ceramics museum.
• Ariana park (46 hectares)
• Place des Nations , with it's famous Broken Chair.
• Geneva's Botanical Gardens and Conservatory

Official Website

Whether a visitor, press or delegate, the very complete UN website has an area dedicated to you.

Public and private conferences and committees are held daily, usually themed after peace, politics and humanistic values.

Have a look at the complete program for moreinformation.

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Visit the UN in Geneva

WELCOME TO THE UNITED NATIONS

Take a tour of the Palais des Nations and learn about the United Nations and the UN’s work in Geneva. Our tour guides will inform you about the organization and its activities to maintain world peace, foster international relations and development.

You will discover the Palais des Nations, a unique building, formerly the headquarters of the League of Nations. The Palais des Nations, an outstanding testimony to twentieth century architecture, is situated in the beautiful Ariana park in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Due to the ongoing renovations in the Palais des Nations, our tour offers are limited and subject to changes. Please read the below information carefully and check this page regularly for updates. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

During the renovation work, guided tours are temporarily not suitable for persons with reduced mobility., please be informed that tours for individual visitors are currently limited and sell out very quickly. we encourage you to check our website regularly. thank you for your understanding., before the tour, once you have your ticket(s).

As soon as you receive your ticket(s), every person in your group needs to register for an access badge. The registration link for access badges is on the ticket(s). Please register as soon as your receive your ticket(s). Participants will then receive a digital badge with a QR code sent to their email address which they can print out and bring along or store on their mobile phone. The QR code will be scanned on the day to enter the Palais des Nations.

On the tour day

• All visitors must carry a valid passport (UN Member or Observer State). ID cards from the Schengen Zone are also accepted. Passports or ID cards will be checked at the entrance gate.
• Please be at the meeting point mentioned in your booking confirmation, 30 minutes before your tour to allow time for security screening and transfer to the Visitors’ Center.  

What to know about visiting the United Nations in Geneva

2014 marked the 70th anniversary of the United Nations.

After the end of World War II, 51 countries came together with the goal of promoting peace through mutual cooperation. Geneva was picked as one of four locations for a United Nations Office, housing many important UN agencies .

Today, all of the world's countries but three are members of the United Nations. Due to their cultural and historical significance of any citizen in the world, the United Nations and the Palace of Nations are meaningful places to visit while in Geneva .

In order to enter the secure perimeter of the United Nations complex in Geneva, visitors have to pass the "Pregny" security checkpoint.

Once inside, the guided tour provides access to various buildings, conference rooms, and meeting halls...

And - of course - the exclusive gift shop!

First off, the tour enters Building E which houses the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development:

Some hallways have a hard time hiding their age...

But special exhibits, displays, and art work can be found throughout the premises. While devised to help inform constituents and diplomats about important topics, this seems to be great way of bringing in some color!

This assembly hall has witnessed quite some history. For instance, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea was devised here:

This tapestry is an optical illusion! It was donated by the People's Republic of China, and you will have to see it to believe it...

Here are more examples of cultural artifacts which were donated by UN member countries:

This gigantic porcelain vase was donated by Japan in commemoration of the UN's 50th anniversary. It is called "The Blue Star of Life":

The main assembly hall holds no less than 2000 people! Apart from UN staff and diplomats, meetings also include numerous interpreters, scripts and ushers.

Each desk features a microphone and a special earphone which feeds simultaneous translations in one of the six official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

The park behind the main complex is stunning! Court of Honour is perfectly landscaped and has panoramic vistas as far as the eye can see...

Here's a truly secure phone booth from pre NSA times:

The iconic entrance of the Palace of Nations is only for staff with security clearance. However, visitors can still peek through the gate to catch a glimpse of the world's flags:

The Broken Chair just outside the entrance stands as a symbol for peace. It has a very powerful presence.

Some advice about visiting the United Nations in Geneva

• It is best to plan an entire day for the visit of the United Nations and the Palace of Nations in Geneva.
• You want to get started early in order to beat the crowds (but there will be crowds, nonetheless).
• There is no need to rush, but arrive by 9:30 AM as visitors in the front of the line will be admitted between 9:45 and 10:00 AM.
• After security clearance, you will be able to buy a tour pass for CHF 12.
• The address of the "Pregny" gate is 14 avenue de la Paix. Here is how to get there .
• Important: Bring your passport or Swiss ID card in order to be admitted, and avoid any large bags or purses if possible.

More Information

- Palace des Nations Visitor Center - More photographs of the United Nations Office in Geneva - PLAY, EAT, SHOP AND STAY in Geneva

Dimitri Burkhard

As the founder, editor, and community manager of Newly Swissed, Dimitri owns the strategic vision. He is passionate about storytelling and is a member of Swiss Travel Communicators. Dimitri loves discovering new trends and covers architecture, design, start-ups and tourism.

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United Nations Headquarters - Palais des Nations

Useful information.

• Address: Palais des Nations, Geneva
• Opening hours: Mon–Fri 10am–noon / 2pm–4pm, Sat & Sun closed
• Website: www.ungeneva.org/en
• Phone: +41 22 917 12 34

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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

• For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
• If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
• Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
• Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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• In-Person Guided Tours
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Explore UN Headquarters

• Visitors Services

Public Inquiries

• WE INVITE YOU TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UN’s BROAD RANGE OF WORK BY CLICKING   HERE .
• A visit to UN Headquarters can be enhanced by stopping by the Public Inquiries Counter, located at the Visitors Services in the Concourse level. Here, you can pick up a range of free information materials—from posters to booklets and fact sheets—or ask a question on the specific area of the UN’s work.
• Please feel free to address your questions about the work of the UN to:

E-mail:   [email protected]   

Call:   (212) 963-4475  

Write:    

Public Inquiries, Visitors Services  United Nations Headquarters  Room GA-1B-031 New York, NY 10017

• Don't forget to follow the UN Visitors Services on   Facebook   and   Twitter !

UN Exhibits

Exhibitions organized for the general public at UN Headquarters in New York are displayed in the Visitors’ Lobby, located inside the General Assembly building. They feature photographic and multimedia displays covering important topics that the UN works on such as human rights, sustainable development, the environment, women and girls, and more. Please click HERE   to see what’s on show on the day of your visit. 

There is also a wide range of virtual exhibits available in our    online gallery .

The United Nations Headquarters has an extensive collection of gifts officially donated by Member States, as well as by some foundations and private individuals. The gifts collection includes artwork, historical objects and architectural components. You will discover many of these treasures as you walk through the UN Headquarters; although not all are on public display, more gifts are available along the guided tour route. F or more information on gifts , p lease visit the UN Gifts website .

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UN Bookshop

The  United Nations Bookshop  is located on the Concourse level of the General Assembly building and is accessible to all visitors during the official opening hours. It offers books by and about the United Nations and its work, as well as sustainably sourced UN branded gifts and toys. All proceeds from the United Nations Bookshop support the work of the Organization. Please also visit our online shop at   shop.un.org . 

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The United Nations is the only non-state entity in the world entitled to issue its own postage.  UN Stamps  feature award-winning design and highlight the wide range of issues on the United Nations’ agenda, from endangered species to world heritage, from peacekeeping to human rights, from autism awareness to outer space, and more. United Nations stamps are issued simultaneously at UN offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna in three denominations: US dollars, Swiss francs, and Euros. They are valid for postage when used on mail from the UN offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna. Visitors Services in New York, Geneva, and Vienna offer a unique and personalized UN stamp designed to enable visitors to capture the memories of their trip to the United Nations. A special UN stamp passport is another great gift for friends and family and can be used for free stamping to commemorate the date of your visit to the United Nations. 

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UN Gift Shop

The Gift Shop features a modern spacious design that allows customers to browse and shop with ease. The store carries curated collections of merchandise and specialty gift items from around the world, including merchandise from over 193 member states. Visitors can also find a variety of unique gifts featuring the United Nations logos, local New York items, special collections of jewelry, and travel related items in the store. Specialty collections such as the Twisted Guns from the Non Violence Project Foundation , T-shirts and bottle water with “Women Rights are Human Rights, and “What do you do for Peace?” were just a few items developed and only sold at the store. The UN Gift Shop is conveniently located in the first basement of the General Assembly Building at the UN Headquarters in New York. We look forward to seeing you!. 

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Other Services (ATM, Lactation Rooms)

Lactation rooms.

The lactation rooms at United Nations Headquarters provide nursing parents with a quiet, private and comfortable space to collect and express milk.The rooms are easily identifiable through clear signage placed outside the designated rooms. They are well lit and have handwashing facilities and necessary supplies such as a liquid soap dispenser, hand sanitizer, cold storage, a microwave, a diaper changer and paper towels. The rooms also come equipped with comfortable chairs and an ottoman, a full-sized mirror, children’s story books, pillows and a music player to play ambient music.

General Assembly Building

Public Visitors Area: GA-1BMED1 and GA-1BMED2

Download the printer-friendly lactation brochure.

An ATM machine is available and located in the Visitors Services near the   Bookshop .

Delegates Dining Room

Enjoy a three-course prix-fixe lunch at the United Nations’ Delegates Dining Room, one of Manhattan’s best-kept secrets! Presenting fresh and exciting international cuisine, the elegant lunch menu at the DDR includes daily features that celebrate culinary trends and classics from across the globe while also focusing on fresh local, organic and/or sustainable produce, fish and meats with a true commitment to authentic flavors, spices and preparation methods. For more information, click here .

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UN Visitors Services App

• Learn about the art in public areas by downloading our free  "United Nations Visitors Services" app! ( iOS   and   Android ).
• The app features over 65 works of art - mainly gifts from the Member States - and architectural elements of the UN Headquarters in all the public areas of the building, including the outdoor plaza and garden, Visitors'  Lobby and Visitor s Services of the General Assembly building. Download the app before you arrive at UNHQ or while you are here to learn more about the UN’s fascinating art and design features.

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World Health Organization

Contact information

World Health Organization - WHO Avenue Appia 20 1211 Geneva Switzerland

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health issues, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.