A DONATION TOWARDS A NEW UN GENEVA VISITOR CENTER
The Fondation Portail des Nations presents a novel venue aimed at facilitating a deeper understanding of multilateralism and the role of UN Geneva. Efforts are underway for a public opening in the summer of 2025.
Project OVERVIEW
The Portail des Nations represents the creation of a new facility spanning approximately 3,500 m2 (including indoor and outdoor areas) within the Palais des Nations, designed to accommodate up to 250,000 visitors annually. Situated beneath the Alley of Flags, this space will be exclusively dedicated to educating the public on the practice of multilateralism by the UN and its affiliates in Geneva.
The new UN Geneva Visitor Center will provide a contemporary, interactive multimedia experience. Its objective is to foster a greater sense of involvement among visitors in the deliberations and resolutions conducted by UN entities in Geneva to tackle global challenges. Moreover, it aims to bolster Geneva’s appeal as a tourist destination, renowned as the birthplace of multilateral diplomacy and a prominent global hub of international cooperation, unparalleled in the world in its density.
THE CONTRIBUTION
OF A GENEVAN PHILANTHROPIST
The brainchild behind this informative and educational endeavor, situated near the Place des Nations, is Genevan banker Ivan Pictet.
Hailing from a renowned banking lineage, Ivan Pictet has been deeply committed to championing International Geneva, notably serving as the head of the Foundation for Geneva, which has undertaken this initiative. He is widely acknowledged by both the United Nations and Swiss authorities as a respected figure and partner.
Observing the absence of an attractive facility dedicated to promoting widespread awareness of the ideals and advantages of the multilateral system, he established the Pictet entity for Development in late 2008, affiliated with the IHEID, funding several chairs dedicated to the research and teaching of finance for development.
He also conceived the concept of a Portail des Nations, envisioning a space bridging the Maison de la Paix campus and the Place des Nations, conducive to fostering meetings and interactions among IHEID students, international dignitaries, local communities, and serving as a showcase for International Geneva. However, this project failed to materialize.
In 2017, at the behest of the former Director-General of UN Geneva, Michael Moeller, Pictet agreed to consider the idea of a Portail des Nations within the Palais des Nations itself. Under the auspices of the Pictet Foundation for Development, he conducted a feasibility study. Subsequently, in 2019, he established the Fondation Portail des Nations and signed a framework agreement with UN Geneva to develop and actualize a new concept for a United Nations Visitor Center in Geneva.
Project milestone
2019
May
Preliminary project
June
Framework agreement
Program and detailed study
2020
September
Development of the first concept
December
Concept approval by the UN General Assembly
2021
February
Construction permit obtained
July
Call for architectural projects
2022
June
Finalization of the first concept
August
Project recalibration
2023
June
Adoption of the final project of the Portail des Nations
September
Start of execution
2024
March
Construction site opening
2025
Spring
Ticket office opening
Summer
Inauguration and opening to the public
The foundation
Founded in 2019 by Ivan Pictet, the Fondation Portail des Nations aims to advance the Portail des Nations project, a proposal for a Visitor Center for the United Nations in Geneva. Implementation is carried out on behalf of and for UN Geneva, with the Foundation serving as the designated project overseer.
The Nations Gateway Foundation pools funds provided by both public and private partners, with contributions taking the form of services rendered to the United Nations Office at Geneva (including construction of infrastructure and realization of the visitors’ experience).
The Foundation’s Board comprises:
Ivan Pictet
President
Tatjana Darani
Director
Philippe Burrin
Member
François Longchamp
Member
Benoît Merkt
Member
Lorenzo Peddrazzini
Member
Media
Press release
26.03.2024: UN Geneva Initiates Realization of the Portail des Nations
Contacts
Tatjana Darani
Director
Fondation Portail des Nations
tatjana.darani@portaildesnations.ch
Elisabeth Tripod-Fatio
Communications Officer
de facto communication
elisabeth@defacto-pr.ch