Switzerland held observer status in several United Nations (UN) organs since 1948, but did not join the UN over neutrality concerns[2] and was a full member only of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.[2] In March 2002, the people of Switzerland voted to join the UN, and Switzerland became a member in September of that year.[3] Since then, an ambassador has represented Switzerland at the UN.[4]
Neutrality continued to be an issue but, according to the first ambassador, Jenö Staehelin, Switzerland's role as a neutral country was accepted by fellow member states.[3] Peter Maurer succeeded Staehelin in 2004 and served as the head of the budget commission of the United Nations General Assembly for the term 2009–2010.[5] Switzerland aimed to assist the United Nations to evolve into a more democratic body or to strengthen the ICC.[6] In terms of transparency, its third representative, Paul Seger, equated the election of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the election of the Pope.[6] During the tenure of the next ambassador, Jürg Lauber, the UN celebrated its 75th anniversary and had to cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]
In 2011 the Federal Council decided to campaign for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2023–2024.[8] Its campaign slogan was "A plus for Peace".[9] In 2020 Jenö Staehelin voiced concern about the Federal Council's goal to aim for a seat on the Security Council.[8] Recalling Switzerland's tradition of neutrality, he assumed the superpowers would eventually exert more pressure than Switzerland would be able to withstand.[8] In March 2022 the Swiss People's Party entered a motion to withdraw the candidacy.[10] Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis stated that withdrawing from a decision taken eleven years earlier was not an option for the Federal Council and the motion did not succeed.[10] Switzerland and Malta were the only two eligible countries and it was assumed that the election would be a formality.[10] In June 2022 Switzerland was elected a non-permanent member of the Security Council, with 187 votes.[11]
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