2026 GENEVA ENGAGE AWARDS CEREMONY

Speech by Ms Nathalie Fontanet, State Councillor, on the occasion of the 2026 Geneva Engage Awards
3 February 2026

"With the formal protocol greetings having been observed, I respectfully acknowledge you all in your respective titles and capacities.

Tonight, we gather for the 11th Geneva Engage Awards, not only to celebrate digital excellence, but to reaffirm something essential: communication, when used responsibly, is one of our most powerful tools for building a better world. 

For over a decade, this ceremony has reflected how International Geneva connects with the world. We’ve measured progress, analyzed practices, and highlighted excellence.

As we enter the AI era, a crucial question remains : are we truly connecting and collaborating in ways that meet today’s challenges?  

Are we breaking down the silos that prevent us from tackling the challenges that define our time?

Today, more than ever, we need to connect and collaborate effectively. We need to share knowledge, pool resources, and stand less isolated in the face of global crises.

The Geneva Engage Awards set a standard, showing that communication can be a force for good, serving as a bridge between policy and people.

Think about it.

Decisions taken in our Canton have tangible effects on the lives of millions.

From peace and security to health and human rights, what happens here ripples across the globe.

Geneva is not a bubble, it is a hub of innovative diplomacy where collaborative solutions to global crises are born.

Behind every initiative are dedicated actors mobilizing their expertise and resources to address international challenges.

Every day, the people and organisations of Geneva prove that engagement and action go hand in hand.

But engagement is not just a word.

It's about making our impact visible – showing the world what we do, why it matters, and how it contributes to the common good.

It's about transforming policy discussions into concrete actions that make a real difference worldwide.

Digital diplomacy has become essential. It helps fight misinformation with truth and connects global decisions to those who need them most.

Every message we share reinforces trust, fosters dialogue, and strengthens the multilateral system.

Yet one figure makes me pause: only 1.84% of links on Geneva-based websites point to one another.

Despite working on interconnected challenges, our digital ecosystems remain fragmented.

How can we claim to be breaking down silos when our knowledge remains fragmented?

This is why the work of organizations like the DiploFoundation, through the Geneva Internet Platform, is essential.

By providing neutral and inclusive spaces for dialogue and transforming data into actionable knowledge through tools like the Digital Geneva Atlas, they help us coordinate efforts more effectively.

Tonight, we celebrate those who've excelled in making these connections.

We also look ahead. After this ceremony, I invite you to join our Knowledge Bazaar, where we'll explore critical questions: 

• How relevant is Geneva's knowledge for training AI platforms? 
• How can we preserve the wisdom generated in thousands of meetings?
• How do we ensure that Geneva remains a "trust anchor" in a sea of AI-generated content?

If disinformation spreads quickly, so too must the values of cooperation, tolerance, and multilateralism.

In times of uncertainty, Geneva shows that diplomacy, solidarity, and responsible communication can transform challenges into solutions.

Crises are opportunities to demonstrate the power of collaboration and Geneva's role in addressing them.

Geneva remains at the forefront of global problem-solving through its ability to adapt and innovate, and the passion and commitment of those who make diplomacy tangible and inclusive.

As we honor excellence, let us renew our commitment to communication that fosters understanding, reinforces our shared humanity and guides our responses to today's challenges.

Through commitment, innovation, and dialogue, we can build bridges that last.

Congratulations to all our winners and thank you for showing what is possible when we truly engage."

                                                                                                                                                                            Only the spoken text shall prevail