The Portail des Nations: A New Chapter for Multilateralism in Geneva
Ahmed Bin Abdulqader ـ nabd-alhadath
The Portail des Nations, the future visitors’ centre of the United Nations in Geneva, will welcome the public from March 2026. Situated at the entrance to the Palais des Nations, this pioneering facility is designed to immerse visitors in the world of multilateral diplomacy and shed light on the essential work of the United Nations. More than a visitors’ centre, the Portail des Nations is conceived as a gateway to the world and to the pressing issues of our time. Through innovative technologies and carefully curated experiences, it will offer a space for learning, dialogue and civic engagement, connecting the global community to the UN’s mission of collective action.
The project was born of the vision of Ivan Pictet, who initiated the Portail des Nations in response to the call of António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, to make multilateralism accessible to all. It reflects the conviction that, in a world confronted with increasingly complex challenges, international cooperation is not an option but a necessity.
Established in 2019, the Fondation Portail des Nations has been entrusted with bringing this vision to life. Founded by Ivan Pictet, the organisation is dedicated to promoting multilateralism and highlighting the vital role of the United Nations in Geneva. Entirely financed through private donations, the Foundation’s mission has been to construct, on behalf of UN Geneva, a facility dedicated to welcoming visitors to the Palais des Nations, and to create the immersive Portail des Nations experience that will launch in March 2026. The Foundation will operate this new space on behalf of UN Geneva until December 2027.
The Fondation Portail des Nations has expressed its gratitude to the many contributors who have made this ambitious undertaking possible. Ivan Pictet himself has acted as the principal donor. The Hans Wilsdorf Foundation and the Loterie Romande have supported the building, its design and its equipment, all of which will be donated to the United Nations. The Dona Bertarelli Philanthropic Foundation has contributed significantly to the development of the immersive experience, while the Swiss Confederation, the Republic and Canton of Geneva, and the City of Geneva have provided crucial support in the initial operational phase.
At its heart, the Portail des Nations celebrates multilateralism. This concept, often invoked yet not always fully understood, refers to the cooperation of multiple actors working together to resolve challenges that no single country could address alone. It is a tool of diplomacy, but also a mindset, rooted in the belief that “together, we are stronger”. In Geneva, where so many international agreements are debated and decided, multilateralism takes concrete form in countless ways – from global health standards and environmental frameworks to labour conventions and innovations in technology.
The Portail des Nations will serve as a powerful reminder of this work, enabling up to 200,000 visitors each year to experience the importance of multilateral diplomacy in shaping our shared future. Designed as a contemporary educational tool, the centre will provide a two-hour journey into the world of international cooperation. Available in eight languages – French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Arabic – the experience will be accessible to a global audience.
Located at the Avenue de la Paix entrance to the Palais des Nations, the centre will open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Tickets will be available exclusively online from Autumn 2025. Easily accessible by tram, bus, train and car, the Portail des Nations is set to become a landmark destination for visitors to Geneva, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the workings of the United Nations in one of the world’s great capitals of diplomacy and humanitarian action.
