Switzerland Peace Summit on Ukraine
The Issue: The Peace Summit on Ukraine in Switzerland concluded with the majority of participating states agreeing on joint positions and next steps for a future peace process. President Viola Amherd praised the joint communiqué as a strong signal for peace based on international law and the UN Charter. The summit focused on nuclear safety, food security, and the humanitarian dimension of the conflict. It marked an important step towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Switzerland, as the host, emphasized its commitment to playing an active role in the next steps. The summit received broad participation from all regions of the world, reflecting trust in Switzerland’s diplomatic efforts.
The press release
Bern, 16.06.2024 – At the close of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine on Sunday, 16 June, the vast majority of participating states agreed on jointly formulated positions and next steps with a view to a future peace process.
President Viola Amherd commended the joint communiqué that emerged from the Bürgenstock summit as a strong signal from the international community for peace based on international law and the UN Charter. 92 states from all regions of the world took part in the summit, 57 of which were represented by heads of state and government.
The outcome of the Bürgenstock summit marked a first important step on the challenging path towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, President Amherd explained. The discussions focused on three topics: nuclear safety, food security and the humanitarian dimension of the conflict (covering prisoners of war, arbitrarily detained civilians and abducted children).
These topics lend themselves to building trust between the parties to the conflict, as an agreement in these areas would be beneficial for both sides. Furthermore, these are issues that are of great importance to many countries, partly due to their geographical proximity, partly because they themselves are or have been affected by these issues and can share their experiences.
Countries from different regions of the world took part in the discussions and were able to contribute their own experiences and put forward possible solutions. The joint communiqué that emerged from the Bürgenstock summit was supported by the vast majority of participating states. It reflects the desire of the states to contribute to the peace process. The positions taken in the three areas of discussion create a basis of trust. The need to involve all parties to the conflict was also emphasised.
It is the first time that Switzerland has hosted a summit of this magnitude. The broad participation from all regions of the world is an expression of trust in Switzerland and was made possible thanks to Switzerland’s global diplomatic network. President Amherd emphasised that Switzerland would continue to play an active role in the next steps.
President Amherd and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), praised the cooperation with the participating states and expressed their thanks to the international partners and all those who contributed to the smooth running of the event. In addition to the federal government, the authorities of the Canton of Nidwalden have also been heavily involved. Security at the summit was ensured by the police and the armed forces.
The aim of this summit is to stimulate a future peace process and to identify practical elements and steps on the way to such a process. By organising this summit, Switzerland is providing a platform for discussion where all states present can contribute their ideas and visions for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
The aim of the Peace summit is to initiate a peace process. To achieve this, several elements are necessary: the broadest possible level of participation as a signal of support, the development of a common understanding on three topics that lend themselves to building trust, namely nuclear safety, food security and the humanitarian dimension, and set out a vision for the next steps in which Russia is included. In hosting this summit, Switzerland is providing a platform for dialogue where all states present can contribute their ideas for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
The participation of 100 states and organisations from all around the world is a good starting point for this process. The programme provides for both plenary sessions and discussions on the three topics mentioned earlier. These include topics of global interest that directly affect a large number of states and that have been addressed in various peace plans proposed for peace in Ukraine. Whether in the humanitarian field, with the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilians and the repatriation of children, or in the areas of nuclear safety and food security – countries that have experienced conflict themselves can contribute their own experiences on all of these topics.
The summit also offers the opportunity to discuss for the first time at the highest level how and when Russia can be included in this process. For the Federal Council, the development of a lasting solution ultimately requires the participation of both sides. By organising this summit, Switzerland is enabling a first step that should trigger a process towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. As such Switzerland is continuing its long tradition of promoting dialogue.
