Genève Aéroport today officially inaugurated the protocol lounge, renamed Espace Kofi Annan. The ceremony took place in the presence of Mrs Nane Annan, the Director General of the United Nations Office, heads of international organisations and a large number of ambassadors.
In April 2020, in agreement with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the Kofi Annan Foundation, the name of the former UN Secretary General was given to this lounge. This gesture is a tribute to a man who always fought to strengthen international cooperation. The Kofi Annan Lounge is decorated with images and powerful phrases spoken by Mr. Annan, which are intended to inspire all high-level dignitaries who come to Geneva to find answers to the world's challenges.
Initially scheduled for spring 2020, the inauguration of the Kofi Annan Lounge was postponed due to the measures to counter the pandemic. But throughout the last few months, protocol activity has continued at Geneva Airport.
The vocation of Genève Aéroport Protocol service
Genève Aéroport is one of the few airports with a Protocol Service. Its activity bears witness to the role Geneva plays on the international scene. Since the beginning of 2022 and until 30 September, we have welcomed 2394 dignitaries and diplomats, compared to 1335 for the whole of 2021. In 2021, protocol activity had seen some major highlights such as the Biden-Putin summit and the preparatory meetings for the 12e WTO Ministerial Conference.
In 2019, Genève Aéroport's Protocol Service recorded a record level of 4,790 high-level personnalities, including 76 Heads of State, 88 Prime Ministers, 227 Foreign Ministers and 763 members of royal families.
The main purpose of the Protocol Service is to receive VIPs and to enable ambassadors based in Geneva to meet and escort their ministers or Heads of State to the aircraft door. In addition to an attentive welcome, it it takes care of the formalities - passports and luggage - the security check, and offers a passage and privileged access to the aircraft (airline or private), a meeting and working area.
At Genève Aéroport, the Protocol Service team consists of 18 people working seven days a week from 6 a.m. to often 11.30 p.m. Coordinated by Mrs. Isabelle Duboule for fifteen years, the team is now headed by Mrs. Anne-Théa Geiser since 1er October 2022.
The main purpose of the Protocol Service is to welcome VIPs and to enable ambassadors based in Geneva to meet and escort their ministers or Heads of State to the aircraft door. In addition to a careful welcome, it offers to all its users a management of formalities - passports and luggage - a security check, a dedicated passage and a privileged access to the plane (airline or private), and a space for meetings and work.
At Geneva Airport, the Protocol Service team consists of 18 people working seven days a week from 6am to often 11.30pm. Coordinated by Mrs. Isabelle Duboule for fifteen years, the team is now headed by Mrs. Anne-Théa Geiser since October 1, 2022.