A new gateway to the United Nations is taking shape in Geneva. Designed to inspire curiosity, foster dialogue and deepen public understanding of international cooperation, the Portail des Nations will become the Visitor Center of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG). It will offer an innovative and immersive introduction to the work of the United Nations and the importance of multilateralism.
Made possible through a generous donation from the Fondation Portail des Nations (FPDN), the project is one of the most significant recent investments in public engagement at the Palais des Nations. Developed under the framework agreement signed between the Foundation and UNOG in 2019, it brings together philanthropy, architecture, technology and storytelling in a new kind of visitor experience for the United Nations system.
Construction began in 2024, transforming the area at the Nations Gate into a modern visitor destination expected to welcome thousands of people each year. Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Portail des Nations will provide a new point of entry to the Palais des Nations and the wider work of the United Nations family.
“The Portail des Nations is the future Visitor Center of UN Geneva, designed to bring the public closer to the United Nations, its work, and major global challenges,” says Aziyadé Poltier-Mutal, Head of the Coordination Team for the future Portail des Nations within the Office of the Director-General at UNOG. “Its core objective is to make multilateralism more accessible, understandable and engaging, while raising awareness of the importance of international cooperation.”
Making multilateralism tangible
Multilateralism can be difficult to explain. Diplomatic negotiations, international agreements and intergovernmental cooperation can seem distant from everyday life.
The Portail des Nations aims to bridge that gap by showing how decisions made through international cooperation affect people’s lives around the world.
The Portail offers an immersive journey that encourages participation and reflection. Through narrative, interactive technologies and sensory experiences, visitors discover why countries work together to address challenges that no nation can solve alone.
At the center of the experience is “Together,” a 60-minute immersive journey developed by Downtown Studio with selected contributions from United Nations entities based in Geneva. Combining multimedia projections, sound design, interactive installations and digital storytelling, it unfolds across three interconnected pavilions.
“The Portail des Nations is unique because it offers a fully immersive and participatory experience, rather than a traditional exhibition,” Aziyadé Poltier-Mutal explains. “The experience combines innovative scenography, storytelling and interactive technologies, enabling visitors to actively engage with the content.”
The journey is organized around three thematic pillars: the United Nations’ impact on everyday life, the major global challenges facing humanity, and the collective solutions developed through international cooperation. Visitors explore issues including humanitarian assistance, human rights, health, science, peace and sustainable development.
The experience culminates in an interactive multilateral negotiation simulation, in which visitors take on the role of decision-makers seeking common ground on complex global issues.
“By participating, including in a simulation of multilateral negotiations, visitors gain a concrete understanding of the challenges and dynamics of international cooperation,” Aziyadé Poltier-Mutal says. “The experience allows them not only to learn about the United Nations, but to experience some of the realities of multilateral decision-making.”
Architecture that reflects shared values
Architecture is an integral part of the experience. Designed by Geneva-based architects Charles Pictet Baptiste Broillet Associés, the pavilions have been carefully integrated into the landscape surrounding the Palais des Nations. Rather than dominating the historic site, they blend into the existing park, creating spaces for openness, dialogue and reflection.
Light, natural materials and carefully designed pathways guide visitors through the site while preserving the character and heritage of one of Geneva’s most iconic international locations.
“In addition, the architecture itself is part of the experience,” says Aziyadé Poltier-Mutal. “The pavilions are integrated into the landscape and reflect the values of dialogue, cooperation and inclusion, ensuring strong coherence between the content and the physical environment.”
The combination of architecture and storytelling reinforces a central message of the project: international cooperation depends on dialogue, openness and shared spaces where people can meet, exchange ideas and work together.
A gift to the United Nations
The Portail des Nations is a gift from the Fondation Portail des Nations to the United Nations.
The Foundation conceived and developed the project in close collaboration with UNOG. It was initiated and largely funded by Ivan Pictet, President of the Foundation and the project’s principal donor, whose vision was to create a visitor center bringing the work of the United Nations closer to the public.
Additional financial support came from the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, Loterie Romande and Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy. Public start-up funding from the Swiss Confederation, the Republic and Canton of Geneva and the City of Geneva further demonstrates the broad institutional support for the initiative.
The Foundation also developed and produced the “Together” immersive experience, contributing both the infrastructure and the creative concept at the heart of the visitor journey.
Coordinating a complex project
The delivery of the Portail des Nations requires close collaboration among numerous departments within UN Geneva and the Foundation.
Within the Office of the Director-General, the Coordination Team oversees the project’s development, from the immersive experience and operational model to architecture, infrastructure and implementation.
The team works with the Division of Administration, the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), United Nations Office of Legal Affairs (UNEG), the Safety and Security Service (SSS) and other stakeholders to coordinate technical, operational and strategic decisions. It also acts as a bridge between UNOG and the Fondation Portail des Nations, maintaining close collaboration throughout the project’s development.
The Foundation has established its own operational structure under Executive Director Tatjana Darani.
Its core staff oversee management, visitor experience, communications, operations and reception, supported by specialist providers responsible for catering, maintenance, security and administration, as well as interns.
Enhancing the visitor journey
The Portail des Nations will complement, rather than replace, the guided tours of the Palais des Nations organized by the UN Geneva Visitors Service.
“Yes, the guided tours of the Palais des Nations will continue to be organized by the UN Geneva Visitors Service,” says Aziyadé Poltier-Mutal. “The Portail des Nations is designed to complement these tours, not replace them.”
Visitors will be encouraged to begin with the immersive exhibition before continuing on a guided tour of the Palais, connecting the themes explored in “Together” with the history, diplomacy and daily work of the United Nations.
From 2028, the Portail des Nations will become the official starting point for guided tours, creating a seamless journey from arrival to the discovery of the Palais des Nations.
The Foundation will operate the Portail through the end of 2027 under an agreement with the United Nations. In 2028, responsibility for the facility will transfer to UNOG, when it officially becomes the Organization’s permanent Visitor Center.
“The United Nations expresses its appreciation to the Foundation for the support offered to the UN and the promotion of multilateralism,” Aziyadé Poltier-Mutal says.
Accessed through the Nations Gate below the iconic Alley of Flags, the Portail des Nations is designed to become more than a point of entry. It invites visitors to explore how international cooperation works, why dialogue matters and how the United Nations brings countries together to address the challenges shaping our shared future. Through immersive storytelling, innovative architecture and collaborative partnerships, it offers a new way to experience the United Nations, one that places visitors at the heart of the global conversation.
More information
For a 10% discount, use code: NATIONS10
Address: Portail des Nations,
Place des Nations, Geneva
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm
• ADULTS (+25): CHF 30
• STU / SEN / DIS: CHF 25
• YOUTH (16-24): CHF 14
• TEENAGERS (11-15): CHF 10