Djibouti Permanent Mission to UN Geneva

Consulate of Djibouti in Geneva, Switzerland

Overview

The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Djibouti in Geneva represents Djibouti to the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), specialized agencies of the United Nations, and other international organizations headquartered in Geneva. Geneva serves as the European headquarters of the United Nations and hosts the world's largest concentration of international organizations, making it a global center for multilateral diplomacy in areas including human rights, humanitarian affairs, health, labor, trade, disarmament, and refugees. The Djibouti Permanent Mission engages with major international institutions including the UN Human Rights Council, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), World Trade Organization (WTO), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and numerous other specialized agencies. The current Permanent Representative is H.E. Ms. Kadra Ahmed Hassan, who previously served at Djibouti's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York from 2007 to 2016 including as Chargée d'affaires a.i., bringing extensive multilateral experience. The Mission advances Djibouti's foreign policy priorities in international fora, participates in negotiations on global issues, coordinates with African Group partners, and represents Djibouti's positions on human rights, humanitarian assistance, trade, health, labor standards, and development. IMPORTANT: This is a multilateral mission focused on international organizations, not a bilateral consular post. Swiss residents requiring Djiboutian visas or consular services should contact the Djibouti Embassy in Berlin which has multi-country jurisdiction including Austria, Czech Republic, and Poland.
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Visa Services

This Permanent Mission does not provide visa services for travel to Djibouti. Swiss residents and third-country nationals in Switzerland requiring Djiboutian visas should contact the Embassy of the Republic of Djibouti in Berlin (info@djibouti-embassy.de, +49 30 26 39 01 57) which has jurisdiction over multiple European countries. Alternatively, many nationalities can obtain Djibouti e-visas online through the official Djiboutian e-visa portal (www.evisa.gouv.dj), which is often faster and more convenient than traditional embassy applications. The e-visa system allows online application, payment, and document submission, with approved visas sent electronically for printing before travel. Swiss citizens traveling to Djibouti can utilize the e-visa system or contact the Berlin embassy for traditional visa processing. For urgent travel or complex cases, Swiss nationals may also contact the Mission for guidance on proper channels, though the Mission itself does not issue visas. Important: Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for travelers to Djibouti arriving from endemic regions, and proof of vaccination may be required for visa issuance or entry. Staff at international organizations requiring Djiboutian visas for official travel should consult their organization's protocol office regarding official travel documents and diplomatic facilitation procedures.
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Consular Services

This Permanent Mission does not provide regular bilateral consular services to Djiboutian nationals or Swiss citizens. Consular matters for Djiboutian citizens in Switzerland including passport renewal, civil registration, document legalization, and emergency assistance should be directed to the Embassy of the Republic of Djibouti in Berlin (info@djibouti-embassy.de, +49 30 26 39 01 57), which has multi-country consular jurisdiction covering Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, and Poland. The Berlin embassy handles all consular functions for Djiboutians in Central Europe. Swiss citizens requiring document authentication for use in Djibouti, information about Djiboutian regulations, or assistance with Djibouti-related matters should also contact the Berlin embassy. In genuine emergencies affecting Djiboutian nationals in Geneva area, the Permanent Mission may provide initial assistance and coordination with the Berlin embassy for follow-up consular services. The Mission's primary function is representing Djibouti in multilateral fora, participating in UN negotiations, engaging with international organizations, and advancing Djibouti's interests at specialized agencies. Geneva is home to a large diplomatic community and regularly hosts international conferences, high-level meetings, and treaty negotiations where the Djiboutian Mission represents national positions. The Mission also facilitates Djibouti's participation in UN human rights mechanisms, trade negotiations at WTO, health governance at WHO, labor standards discussions at ILO, and humanitarian coordination.
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Business Support

While the Mission's primary focus is multilateral diplomacy and international organizations, it maintains awareness of Geneva's international business environment, particularly sectors related to international organizations such as humanitarian logistics, international trade services, health and pharmaceutical products, and professional services. The Mission can facilitate introductions to international organizations for Djiboutian or Swiss businesses engaged with UN agencies, WHO, WTO, ILO, or other Geneva-based institutions. For comprehensive bilateral business support between Switzerland and Djibouti including trade facilitation, investment promotion, and commercial diplomacy, interested parties should contact the Djibouti Embassy in Berlin which manages economic relations across multiple European countries. The Mission coordinates with Djiboutian economic representations when business interests intersect with international organizations—for example, Djiboutian port and logistics companies engaging with UN humanitarian procurement, or Swiss companies working with WHO on health projects in Djibouti or the Horn of Africa. Djibouti's strategic location at the entrance to the Red Sea makes it relevant for discussions on maritime trade, shipping security, and regional commerce at international fora. The Mission supports Djibouti's participation in WTO trade negotiations, engages with ILO on labor and employment issues affecting the country, and coordinates with WHO on health challenges including tropical diseases prevalent in the Horn of Africa. Geneva's role as global center for international cooperation creates opportunities for Djiboutian engagement in global standard-setting, humanitarian response, and multilateral economic governance.
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Special Notes

The Permanent Mission is located at Chemin Camille-Vidart 15, 1202 Geneva, in the international district where many UN buildings and permanent missions are concentrated. Phone: +41 22 749 10 90. Email: mission.djibouti@djibouti.ch. Website: www.djibouti.ch. CRITICAL: This is NOT a consular post for bilateral services. Swiss residents and Djiboutian nationals requiring consular services (passports, visas, document services) should contact the Djibouti Embassy in Berlin. The Geneva Mission exclusively handles multilateral diplomacy and representation to international organizations. Permanent Representative: H.E. Ms. Kadra Ahmed Hassan, experienced diplomat with extensive UN experience. The Mission engages with numerous international organizations including UN Human Rights Council, OHCHR, WHO, ILO, WTO, UNHCR, IOM, UNCTAD, and many others. Key areas of Djiboutian multilateral engagement include: regional security and counter-terrorism (given Djibouti's strategic location and hosting of foreign military bases), refugee and migration issues (Djibouti hosts refugees from Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen), human rights advocacy, trade and maritime security, health governance, and development cooperation. The Mission coordinates closely with African Group partners—Geneva is a major center for African diplomatic coordination in multilateral fora. Djibouti maintains active participation in UN human rights mechanisms and contributes to African Group positions on global issues. For media inquiries about Djibouti's foreign policy and multilateral engagement, contact the Mission's press office. For bilateral Swiss-Djiboutian relations, contact the Swiss Embassy in Addis Ababa which covers Ethiopia, Djibouti, and South Sudan. Sources: Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (eda.admin.ch) and UN Office at Geneva (ungeneva.org).
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