UN General Assembly
2023

During armed conflicts, the lack of essential goods and services for the civilian population often claims more lives than the direct impact of the hostilities. It exacerbates inequalities and undermines the return to peace. In that context. I would like to take this opportunity to stress the importance of the United Nations peacekeeping missions, which are doing indispensable work for the populations that are most affected. In that regard. I also believe that all humanitarian actors, including those in United Nations missions on the ground and other actors, must be protected and supported. In that context, the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) must also be strongly defended. Owing to the growing number of crises, our Organization is dealing with an unprecedented and worrisome increase in needs. As the depositary of the Geneva Conventions and the headquarters of the ICRC. Switzerland is firmly committed to meeting that humanitarian imperative. The work of the ICRC is fundamental to the protection of civilians.