Press release of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
Geneva, 29 May 2001
N° 115

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Fondation des immeubles pour les organisations internationales (FIPOI) have pleasure in inviting you to be present when the first stone is laid in the renovation of the Villa Gardiol, the new Headquarters of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, on Wednesday, 6 June 2001 at 4.30 p.m. at the Villa Gardiol, which is located at Chemin du Pommier (Grand-Saconnex/GE) and is to become the House of Parliaments.

The ceremony will take place in the presence of Mrs. Najma Heptulla, President of the IPU Council, Mr. Anders B. Johnsson, Secretary General of the IPU, Mr. Laurent Moutinot, Geneva State Councillor, Officer in charge of the Department for Town Planning, Equipment and Housing, and Mr. François Nordmann, Swiss Ambassador to the international organisations and President of FIPOI.

Last year, the Swiss Federal Council approved a SF 9.5 million loan to FIPOI for the renovation and enlargement of a building destined to become the new headquarters of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The decision was subsequently confirmed by the Swiss Parliament in 2001.

Switzerland's Federal Department for Foreign Affairs (DFAE) had the following to say: "Through this gesture, the Swiss Federal Council is supporting, on the one hand, an international organisation which counts for Swiss MPs and, on the other hand, Geneva as a centre for international cooperation." The loan will be used to renovate the Villa Gardiol and expand the future "House of Parliaments" through the addition of an annex. The new building will have public areas and reception rooms, two conference halls, a cafeteria, a library and some fifty offices. The loan is interest free and repayable over 50 years, while the land has been provided by the Canton of Geneva. The project which the jury for the IPU architectural competition chose is the work of the Brauen and Wälchli firm in Lausanne.

Founded in 1889 and based in Geneva, the IPU currently has 141 affiliated national parliaments and five regional assemblies as associate members. It also has a Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York

FIPOI is a foundation established under private law by the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of Geneva for the purpose of providing suitable premises for international organisations.