Summit on Peace in Ukraine: Joint Communiqué on a Peace Framework
Bürgenstock, Switzerland 16 June 2024
Bern, 16.06.2024
At the close of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine on Sunday, 16 June, the vast majority of participating states agreed on jointly formulated positions and next steps with a view to a future peace process. President Viola Amherd commended the joint communiqué that emerged from the Bürgenstock summit as a strong signal from the international community for peace based on international law and the UN Charter. 92 states from all regions of the world took part in the summit, 57 of which were represented by heads of state and government.
The outcome of the Bürgenstock summit marked a first important step on the challenging path towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, President Amherd explained. The discussions focused on three topics: nuclear safety, food security and the humanitarian dimension of the conflict (covering prisoners of war, arbitrarily detained civilians and abducted children). These topics lend themselves to building trust between the parties to the conflict, as an agreement in these areas would be beneficial for both sides. Furthermore, these are issues that are of great importance to many countries, partly due to their geographical proximity, partly because they themselves are or have been affected by these issues and can share their experiences.
Countries from different regions of the world took part in the discussions and were able to contribute their own experiences and put forward possible solutions. The joint communiqué that emerged from the Bürgenstock summit was supported by the vast majority of participating states. It reflects the desire of the states to contribute to the peace process. The positions taken in the three areas of discussion create a basis of trust. The need to involve all parties to the conflict was also emphasised.
It is the first time that Switzerland has hosted a summit of this magnitude. The broad participation from all regions of the world is an expression of trust in Switzerland and was made possible thanks to Switzerland’s global diplomatic network. President Amherd emphasised that Switzerland would continue to play an active role in the next steps. President Amherd and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), praised the cooperation with the participating states and expressed their thanks to the international partners and all those who contributed to the smooth running of the event. In addition to the federal government, the authorities of the Canton of Nidwalden have also been heavily involved. Security at the summit was ensured by the police and the armed forces.
Further Information
The ongoing war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine continues to cause large-scale human suffering and destruction, and to create risks and crises with global repercussions. We gathered in Switzerland on 15-16 June 2024 to enhance a high-level dialogue on pathways towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine. We reiterated resolutions A/RES/ES-11/1 and A/RES/ES-11/6 adopted at the UN General Assembly and underscored our commitment to upholding international law including the United Nations Charter. This Summit was built on the previous discussions that have taken place based on Ukraine’s Peace Formula and other peace proposals which are in line with international law, including the United Nations Charter.
We deeply appreciate Switzerland’s hospitality and its initiative to host the High-Level Summit as expression of its firm commitment to promoting international peace and security.
We had a fruitful, comprehensive and constructive exchange of various views on pathways towards a framework for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based on international law, including the United Nations Charter. In particular, we reaffirm our commitment to refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, the principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all states, including Ukraine, within their internationally recognized borders, including territorial waters, and the resolution of disputes through peaceful means as principles of international law.
We, furthermore, have a common vision on the following crucial aspects:
- Firstly, any use of nuclear energy and nuclear installations must be safe, secured, safe-guarded and environmentally sound. Ukrainian nuclear power plants and installations, including Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, must operate safely and securely under full sovereign control of Ukraine and in line with IAEA principles and under its supervision.
Any threat or use of nuclear weapons in the context of the ongoing war against Ukraine is inadmissible. - Secondly, global food security depends on uninterrupted manufacturing and supply of food products. In this regard, free, full and safe commercial navigation, as well as access to sea ports in the Black and Azov Seas, are critical. Attacks on merchant ships in ports and along the entire route, as well as against civilian ports and civilian port infrastructure, are unacceptable.
Food security must not be weaponized in any way. Ukrainian agricultural products should be securely and freely provided to interested third countries. - Thirdly, all prisoners of war must be released by complete exchange. All deported and unlawfully displaced Ukrainian children, and all other Ukrainian civilians who were unlawfully detained, must be returned to Ukraine.
We believe that reaching peace requires the involvement of and dialogue between all parties. We, therefore, decided to undertake concrete steps in the future in the above-mentioned areas with further engagement of the representatives of all parties.
The United Nations Charter, including the principles of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states, can and will serve as a basis in achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
List of countries who support the joint communiqué
Status 16 June 2024
Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Canada, Chile, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Council of Europe, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, European Commission, European Council, European Parliament, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kosovo, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tomé and Principe, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Somalia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor Leste, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay
Source – Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs