Multilateral activities
As a member of various international institutions based in The Hague, Switzerland plays a major role in the negotiation and implementation of policy decisions made within these organisations. The Multilateral section of the Embassy defends Switzerland’s interests and positions within these international organisations. In formulating Switzerland’s positions, it works closely with the competent federal authorities in Bern, in particular the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), the Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). Its activities are mainly related to the international judicial bodies based in The Hague and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Dossiers
Legal institutions
Switzerland is represented in various legal institutions, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).
Disarmament
Switzerland is one of the 193 Member States of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and actively participates in its work. It is currently a member of the OPCW's Executive Council (from 2026 to 2028). As of 25 July 2026, Swiss national Sabrina Dallafior will also take office as the new Director-General of the OPCW.
Other institutions
Numerous other institutions are based in The Hague and are also part of the Multilateral Section's remit.
Contact
Swiss Embassy in the Netherlands, Lange Voorhout 42, 2514 EE The Hague
- Sandra Caluori, Deputy Head of Mission, Multilateral Affairs, Tel.: +31 (70) 310 91 12 or +41 58 467 87 34
- Gian Clavadetscher, Legal Advisor, Multilateral Affairs, Tel.: +31 (70) 310 91 86 or +41 58 481 46 02
Embassy email: thehague@eda.admin.ch
The Multilateral Section actively represents Switzerland in the following legal institutions:
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
- Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)
It also monitors ongoing cases before international judicial bodies such as :
- International Court of Justice (ICJ)
- Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC)
- Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT)
Switzerland has been a member of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) since 1997. The Organisation works to advance chemical disarmament and ensure the worldwide destruction of all chemical weapons stockpiles. Switzerland plays an active role in the OPCW.
The city of The Hague hosts many other organisations in which Switzerland plays a role, such as :