Switzerland Becomes 190th State to Join the United Nations

By unanimous decision, Switzerland became the 190th United Nations Member State this afternoon at the opening of the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly. Kaspar Villiger, President of Switzerland, said the decision of the Swiss people to take on United Nations membership reflected the country's system of direct democracy, as it had been decided at the ballot box after intensive and controversial debate. The Swiss people had reconciled their fears related to the possibility of prejudicing their valued principle of neutrality, as well as their concerns over the right of veto held by Permanent Members of the Security Council.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan (centre left) congratulates Kaspar Villiger (centre right), President of Switzerland, as Switzerland became the 190th state to join the United Nations.