The participation in the multilateral work of the United Nations in New York forms an important part of Liechtenstein’s overall foreign policy. Click here for a comprehensive overview over the activities and priorities of Liechtenstein in international relations  in general, and within the United Nations in particular.
Below you will information on the most important activities of the Mission in New York, with links to more detailed information about Liechtenstein’s role in the various areas and to relevant statements and documents.
Reform of the United Nations
The Summit in September 2005 in New York, besides being a forum to foster international development cooperation, brought about decisions on UN reform in a wide range of areas, many of which required further follow-up work. Since then, the Liechtenstein delegation participated actively in a number of reform negotiations. Particular emphasis was placed on the establishment of the Human Rights Council. Liechtenstein also plays a crucial role in the debates on Security Council reform. Until December 2005, Ambassador Christian Wenawesers served as Vice-Chairman of the Open-Ended Working Group dealing with this issue. This process could potentially lead to a historic reform of the Council, both regarding the question of enlargement of membership, as well as regarding the improvement of its working methods. In that context, Liechtenstein presented an initiative (PDF, 33.43 KB) on the reform of the working methods of the Security Council, together with Costa Rica, Jordan, Singapore and Switzerland (the so-called "S-5").
Liechtenstein also takes a very active role in the reform of the human rights treaty bodies and organized another expert meeting on that issue in Liechtenstein in July 2006 ("Malbun II").
Statements and documents on UN reform 
Human Rights
Apart from the current reform discussions, the Liechtenstein delegation participates actively in the substantial intergovernmental work on human rights. Liechtenstein is particularly involved in the work of the Third Committee of the General Assembly which mainly deals with human rights questions. Liechtenstein delegates deliver statements in debates on human rights issues and participate in the negotiations on relevant resolutions. During the 57th session of the General Assembly (2002/2003), this important Committee was chaired by Ambassador Christian Wenaweser. Liechtenstein also played an important role in the drafting of the new international Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Mr. Stefan Barriga chaired the Drafting Committee which elaborated the final version of the text adopted by the General Assembly on 13 December 2006.
Statements and documents on human rights issues
Liechtenstein and human right
International peace and security, counter-terrorism
In the area of international peace and security and counter-terrorism, the Mission in New York serves as an important link between the work and the decisions of the Security Council and authorities in Liechtenstein. Decisions of the Council regarding financial sanctions against persons responsible for threats to international peace and security as well as regarding the fight against the financing of terrorism have a direct impact on Liechtenstein’s financial center and must be implemented. These activities are coordinated by the Financial Intelligence Unit , the internal watchdog responsible for internationally recognized and effective law enforcement in this field. The Liechtenstein delegation submits reports to relevant organs of the Council, such as the Counter-Terrorism Committee or the various Sanctions Committees in order to enable these bodies to assess the effectiveness of sanctions measures. In this context, Liechtenstein regularly underlines the importance of respecting human rights and due process standards while fighting terrorism.
Liechtenstein’s financial center
Statements and documents on peace and security
Statements and documents on counter-terrorism
International Criminal Court (ICC)
Liechtenstein is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court and thus takes a very active role in the Assembly of States Parties of the ICC. Ambassador Wenaweser serves as the Chairman of the Special Working Group on the Crime of Aggression, which is mandated to develop proposals for a definition of the crime of aggression. In June 2007, the fourth intersessional meeting on this issue will be organized jointly with the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination at Princeton University, following the great success of previous such intersessional meetings.
The Liechtenstein delegation furthermore participates actively in the work of the Friends of the ICC in New York. Since February 2007, the Mission's Legal Adviser, Stefan Barriga, acts as Coordinator of that group.
Statements and documents on the ICC
International Law, Rule of Law
Liechtenstein takes a very active role in the legislative work of the UN General Assembly, in particular in its Sixth Committee (legal affairs). At the 61st session, Mr. Stefan Barriga served as Vice-Chairman of that Committee. Furthermore, Ambassador Christian Wenaweser chaired several meetings of the Ad hoc Committee and the Working Group mandated to expand the scope of legal protection under the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel. These negotiations result in broader legal protection for persons acting on behalf of the United Nations worldwide, through the adoption of an Optional Protocol to the 1994 Convention. In addition, Liechtenstein is continuously engaged in the promotion of the rule of law both at the national and international level, has participated in Security Council debates on this issue as well as in informal groups of States with particular interest in this area. At the request (PDF, 29.12 KB) of Liechtenstein and Mexico, the General Assembly included the topic "The rule of law at the national and international levels" in the agenda of its 61st session, and later adopted a resolution on this issue.
Statements and documents on international law and the rule of law
Humanitarian and development cooperation
The Liechtenstein delegation in New York participates in the Humanitarian Liaison Working Group, a group of donor countries that closely follows the work of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Particular attention is paid to the effectiveness of the Consolidated Appeal Processes, by which OCHA orchestrates its fundraising activities for the benefit of suffering populations. Liechtenstein is a founding donor of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), created by the World Summit 2005. However, Liechtenstein not only supports the coordination efforts of OCHA, but also provides financial contributions to individual relief agencies such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, UNHCR, UNICEF, etc. Liechtenstein is fully committed to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. One important element is the internationally agreed level of Official Development Assistance (0,7 % of GNP), which donor countries should reach by 2015. Already in 2001, the Liechtenstein Government has declared it commitment to reach this goal.
Liechtenstein and international humanitarian and development cooperation
Statements and documents on humanitarian issues
Statements and documents on development, environment
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