# The Swiss and the UN **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 8, 2001, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-swiss-and-the-un/68108 "2001-06-08T21:28:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Freedom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Freedom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freedom)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2001, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-swiss-and-the-un/68108/1 "2001-06-08T21:28:20Z")
I was recently surprised to find out two things: [1] Switzerland is not a memeber of the UN. [2] Geneva is the European Headquartes of the UN. I was wondering if anyone had the SD on WHY the UN would choose to place the headquarters in Geneva if Switzerland was not a memeber. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2001, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-swiss-and-the-un/68108/2 "2001-06-08T23:01:02Z")
Because it’s a nice, neutral place. From what I understand, a lot of countries aren’t especially thrilled that the “real” UN building is in the United States (though not US property). ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2001, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-swiss-and-the-un/68108/3 "2001-06-09T16:32:59Z")
Plus, I believe that the International Labour Organization, which pre-dates the UN but is now affiliated with it, had its headquarters in Switzerland. Since one of the major international organizations was in Switzerland, it wasn’t odd that others of a similar nature, like the UN Human Rights Organization, would end up there.