Three scenarios for International Geneva

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The turbulence that began in 2025 invites us to consider several scenarios for the future of International Geneva, each of which carries consequences for the financial centre.

The first scenario is one of lasting contraction. The major powers reduce their contributions on a permanent basis, the organisations restructure, relocate functions and cut their staff, and Geneva loses part of its role to cities that are less expensive or closer to the new centres of power. The financial centre loses a clientele, skills and part of its image.

The second scenario is one of resilience. The organisations weather the crisis, other contributors partially offset the withdrawals, Switzerland strengthens its host-state policy, and Geneva retains most of its institutions, albeit in a reduced form. The effects on the financial centre remain limited.

The third scenario is one of recomposition. The crisis of multilateralism leads to the emergence of new forms of cooperation — public-private partnerships, regional initiatives, foundations — in which Geneva finds a renewed role thanks to its neutrality, its expertise and its ecosystem. The financial centre takes part in this recomposition, notably through impact finance and philanthropy.

None of these scenarios is a foregone conclusion. The history of International Geneva, made up of crises and rebirths, counsels caution. It also reminds us that the city has, on several occasions, been able to reinvent itself when the international order changed. Part K will return to these prospects within the broader context of the future of the financial centre.

Key points. International conferences, attended by around 581,000 delegates a year, feed Geneva’s hospitality economy and offer the financial centre opportunities for contact. The future of International Geneva, between contraction, resilience and recomposition, depends on decisions taken elsewhere, as does that of the financial centre.

For general information only. This article does not constitute legal or tax advice, does not replace advice on an individual case and creates no lawyer-client relationship. It reflects the legal position as of September 2025.

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Dr Alexander Ressos, TEP

Rechtsanwalt/Attorney-at-Law

I am a Swiss attorney-at-law and also admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and in England & Wales, with almost 25 years of experience.

Together with my multilingual team, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian and French native speakers, I advise companies and their owners from around the world on the full range of banking, corporate, commercial and tax law matters in Switzerland, including international tax planning, fiduciary services, and legal family office services including immigration & relocation or real estate investments. My practice has a particular focus on clients from growth and frontier markets in Greater China, Central Asia and the Caucasus, the rest of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, and I equally advise clients from Europe and North America. Through an affiliated Swiss trust company, we also take care of the incorporation and ongoing administration of their companies and other structures, including accounting, tax returns and corporate secretarial services, and I serve as a professional director where required. With the support of a network of first-class cooperation partners, I also implement solutions worldwide.

My approach is to act as a trusted advisor who works directly with decision-makers, on an equal footing: I start from what you want to achieve and shape every structure, contract and tax decision around your commercial goals and how it improves your after-tax return. As “lawyers who make it happen”, my team and I stay involved until your company is set up, your structure is in place and your transaction has closed, and we remain available for any follow-on work that may be required. You benefit from bespoke solutions and personal attention, and sound, friendly and practical advice. We are not the lowest-cost provider in the market, nor do we intend to be; our aim is to deliver well-founded, proper solutions and excellent value for money.

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Three scenarios for International Geneva

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