HISTORY
The Diplomatic Circle of Geneva is an international association founded at the initiative of the current president Robert F. Blum.
It was created in 2004 to fulfil the growing necessity to establish links between the diplomatic world and civil society. The Diplomatic Circle is recognized today as a prominent actor in international Geneva.
2004
Creation of the Diplomatic Circle by its current President, Robert F. Blum
2005
The Circle welcomes M. Samuel SCHMID, President of the Swiss Confederaton to a dinner-conference in Geneva, together with 400 guests.
The Diplomatic Circle and Mr Samuel Schmid have been keeping in regular contact ever since
2006
Titre 2
On January 10th, the Circle achieves a major communication project, decorating a tram with the liveries of both the WHO and the Diplomatic Circle. The vehicle of Geneva’s public transport company operates for several months throughout the international city.
The experience could not have materialized without the support of many friends.
2007
On March 27, the Diplomatc Circle organizes a big event in Geneva to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the European Union. On that occasion, the former President of the French Republic Valery Giscard d’Estaing is appointed Honorary Member and gives a conference on Europe to an audience of no less than 750 personnalities from the diplomatic world and civil society.
The first issue of the Diplomatic News magazine is published.
2008
On January 25, Robert Blum welcomes in Zurich H.E. Alhadji Umaru Musa YAR’ADUA, President of Nigeria in attendance of numerous participants.
After the reception and by official invitation by the President, an economic mission takes place in Abuja, Nigeria on May 5-11.
A lunch is organized by the President during which the Nigerian President is appointed Honorary Member in attendance of the Vice-President Mr Jonathan GOODLUCK.
During the whole duration of the mission, several meetings are organized between various ministers and leaders of large state and private companies.
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, many events take place in Geneva, including a gala evening organized by the Diplomatic Circle.
Mr Francis GURRY, Director-General of the World Organization of Intellectual Property (WOIP), is appointed Honorary Member.
During the evening, Mr Robert Blum is awarded by Giorgio Napolitano, President of Italy, the title of Chevalier of the Order of Italian Solidarity in recognition of his merits in the social and economic fields.
2009
On April 21, the Diplomatic Circle welcomes the Iranian President, H.E. Mahmoud AHMADINEJAD in the frame of a dinner-conference in attendance of about sixty company managers and representatives of the Swiss civil and economic society.
At the official invitation of Mr AHMADINEJAD, a delegation of 10 representatves make an official visit to Iran on October 9-16. The meeting, rich in contacts and extremely positive for the future of relations between Iran and Switzerland, concludes with an invitation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At its yearly evening, the Diplomatic Circle introduces to the 80 ambassadors in attendance Ms Kim PUCK, UNESCO ambassador, famous survivor of Vietnam bombings and a great friend of the Circle.
2010
The Circle’s President goes to Senegal at the invitation of the President of the Forum of Operators for the Guarantee of Economic Emergence in Africa (FOGECA), in order to promote commercial relations between Switzerland and that country.
That same year he visits Uzbekistan on the occasion of the opening of a representative office on account of Swiss and European companies.
In November, the Circle organizes an economic mission to Damascus to present a new medicine in the name of the MERCKSERONO company.
In December, Mr Robert Blum flies to Kish island at the invitation of the Iranian Ministry for Trade. He is accompanied by a Swiss economic delegation. A meeting takes place with various ministers followed by a reception with the Vice-President of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce.
2011
In January, the Diplomatic Circle goes to Guinea (Conakry) to represent a major Swiss multinational.
On that occasion, the Circle’s president meets with government ministers including the Prime Minister Saïd FOFANA. Discussions are held on issues such as energy, economy, education and health.
An economic mission is organized in May with the participation of several Swiss and European companies with a view to reviewing the opportunities for investment and commercial potential in Guinea (Conakry).
2012
The president flies to Ghana on a mission for the MERCK group. This visit is part of the programme of the fight against schistosomiasis, a tropical disease.
On March 8, the Diplomatic Circle organizes a gala dinner to appoint new honorary members : Mrs Rita BARBER, mayor of Valencia/Spain, Mr Samuel SCHMID, former president of the Swiss Federation and maestro LANG LANG, piano virtuoso.
On June 30, the Circle holds a dinner-conference with the Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi as guest of honour and representatives of the civil and economic society from Switzerland and France.
On November 7, Robert Blum goes to Nigeria at the invitation of Jonathan GOODLUCK, President of the Nigerian Republic. He is leading a delegation from the MERCK group, in link with the programme of fight against schistomatosis .
During that official visit, President Jonathan GOODLUCK is appointed Honorary Member of the Diplomatic Circle in attendance of government ministers, the national press and representatives of the Nigerian civil society.
On May 29, Robert Blum commemorates the 50 years of Memorial Day, visiting the American cemetery of St Avold (France), resting place of 10,487 soldiers. Brigadier-General Michael A. BILLS, Deputy Chief of Staff of American Forces in Europe and Senator-Mayor Mr André WOJCIECHOWSKI express him their respect and gratitude during the official ceremony.
2013
In February, during a ceremony in Moscow, Mr Robert Blum is appointed Honorary Member of the Russian Academy of Fine Arts, in attendance of the highst authorities of the city and country.
On March 17, the Montblanc Group, in partnership with the Diplomatic Circle, organizes an evening of support for UNICEF on the occasion of the launching of the « SIGNATURE FOR GOOD » range of fountain and ballpoint pens. The Diplomatic Circle is represented by Bernard KOUCHNER, Honorary President, its president and vice-president as well as numerous members, ambassadors and representatives of the civil socety of Geneva. The evening is enhanced by a grandiose performance by the UNO orchestra.
In the frame of the yearly conference of the WHO in Geneva, the MERCK Group/Darmstadt organizes, with the partnership of the Diplomatic Circle, a lunch during which they outline their various projects in Africa. More than 40 ambassadors and a huge number of Health Ministers are in attendance. Among the prominent guests : H.E. Dr Muhammad Ali PATE, Minister of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Dr Karl-Ludwig KLEY, president of the board of directors of the MERCK Group. On this occasion Dr KLEY is appoined Honorary Member of the Diplomatic Circle.