A GLOBAL CITY
From Saint Pierre Cathedral, we passed through the new district of Geneva.The contrast with the old town is striking, and it looks no different from the modern neighborhoods of bustling European cities like Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam…You don’t see high-rise buildings and apartments sprouting up in a frenzy as if Aladdin’s genie had cast a spell.
Geneva still has its unique characteristics as it often witnesses world and regional negotiations leading to agreements bearing the name of this city, such as the Human Rights Convention, which has been signed by most countries.
The Geneva Conventions were signed in 1949.Since then, international human rights law has been used to protect the people of various countries, civilian facilities, and to prohibit the use of weapons of mass destruction in warfare.It was also from that point that the Red Cross was established.
An agreement directly related to our country was also signed by the parties involved in this Swiss city.That was the Geneva Agreement of 1954, which ended the presence of French troops on the Indochinese Peninsula as well as the French colonial regime in Indochina.But it caused our country to be divided into two…
Since the early 20th century, the Swiss government has adopted a policy of neutrality, avoiding wars and building a peaceful, friendly life.Therefore, Geneva became quite an ideal place for international associations and organizations to establish their headquarters, quickly making it known as a global city.
In 1920, the League of Nations was established and its headquarters were set up here.By 1945, when it was renamed the United Nations with its headquarters in New York, USA, the headquarters in Geneva became a subsidiary office, but it continued to be an important diplomatic center of the world.
There wasn’t much time, but with an old friend, we entered the UN’s subsidiary office, admiring the paintings hanging on the walls of the grand hall that depicted humanity’s struggle for peace.Anyone can enter here; no ticket is required.
Besides the United Nations, there are hundreds of other international organizations and associations such as the World Health Organization, the International Red Cross, and the International Telecommunication Union… that have their headquarters or branches in this city.
The international character of Geneva is also manifested through its banking system, which has branches in many countries, including Vietnam.The characteristic of Swiss banks is high confidentiality and strict customer protection, although since the end of 2013, they have been forced to “tone down” these practices due to pressure from many countries, led by the United States.
The characteristic of Swiss banks is high confidentiality and strict customer protection, although since the end of 2013, they have been forced to “tone down” these practices due to pressure from many countries, led by the United States.
