Switzerland provides support to various of the UN-organisations that combat and prevent transnational crime, drug trafficking and corruption, promote industrial development or the peaceful use of outer space, or that regulate drugs and psychotropic substances and standardise international trade regulations. The mission represents the country's interests and positions in these UN organizations.
The Vienna mission represents Swiss interests at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). UNODC was formed to combat transnational organised crime, the illicit trafficking in drugs, human beings, and weapons, money laundering and the associated corrupt activities and international terrorist organisations. In connection with the activities of the UNODC, Switzerland places particular emphasis on tackling corruption, restitution of illicit assets, combating human trafficking and the promotion of a public health- and human rights-based drug policy.
Restitution of illicit assets (FDFA) (PDF, 32 Pages, 4.2 MB, English)
The Swiss mission is actively involved with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), a specialised agency of the United Nations that assists countries with industrial development in order to counter poverty and that promotes ecological sustainability. It focuses in particular on supporting green industrialisation and the promotion of high-quality production standards and value-creation chains. Switzerland is one of the founder members of UNIDO and has been one of its main donors for years.
In the case of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the Swiss mission contributes to its mandate to promote international cooperation in the peaceful use of space for social and economic development, particularly for the benefit of developing countries. On behalf of Switzerland, it strives for long-term sustainable activities in space and supports science-based, depoliticised approaches to space policies. Other topics on the agenda of the UNOOSA are space debris, the use of sources of nuclear energy in space, the international response to the risk of asteroid impact and the implementation of the space-related regulatory frameworks.
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) ensures that adequate supplies of narcotic and psychotropic substances are available for medical and scientific purposes, combats their misuse and ensures these are not diverted into illicit channels. The Swiss mission in Vienna works in the interests of Switzerland towards the classification of medications and supports closer cooperation through contributing to the online International Import and Export Authorisation System for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Online International Import and Export Authorization System (INCB)
As an active member of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), the mission provides support to Swiss delegations attending the regular conferences of the organisation. Of particular interest to Switzerland in connection with this core UN international trade law organisation is obtaining input and insights for the domestic law and the development of proposals for arbitration processes relating to investment protection agreements.
