UN headquarters in Geneva to be renovated and expanded
The UN headquarters in Geneva is to be extensively renovated by 2023 and expanded with a new building. The General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) approved the renovation project of the "Palais des Nations" before Christmas.
Since its construction in the 1930s, the Palais des Nations, the headquarters of the UN in Geneva, has never been extensively renovated. Now, however, a modern working environment for employees as well as conference participants is to be created. In addition to the renovation work, a new building will also be added to the UN headquarters. Access for people with disabilities will also be ensured. 700 additional jobs will be created in the Palais.
Construction work will start in 2017 and is expected to last until 2023. The total cost of the project is estimated at CHF 836.5 million. Switzerland (the federal government and the canton and city of Geneva) is supporting the project with an interest-free loan of CHF 400 million, subject to approval by the respective parliaments.
As the UN's main conference center, Geneva hosts more than 10,000 meetings a year and receives more than 100,000 visitors. (ah)
