Hani Chaar: Over 30 Years of Diplomatic Experience in Support of International Dialogue and FISA 2027

As Vice-President of e-Peace Switzerland, Director of e-Peace Geneva and a municipal councillor in Grand-Saconnex, Hani Chaar brings his experience of the United Nations, multilateral diplomacy and international cooperation to the Swiss–Africa International Forum (FISA 2027).

Hani Chaar in the waiting room of the Federal Palace West Wing

A diplomatic career at the heart of International Geneva

With more than three decades of experience in international affairs, Hani Chaar has built his career alongside leading multilateral institutions based in Geneva.

For over 30 years, he held various responsibilities at the Permanent Mission of Lebanon to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, including as an adviser.

His career included participation in numerous diplomatic conferences and international negotiations on disarmament, international security, economic development, humanitarian issues and multilateral cooperation.

His involvement in several intergovernmental processes is documented in official UN records, including work relating to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, the Arms Trade Treaty and various international conferences.

This extensive experience has given him in-depth knowledge of how international organizations, diplomatic mechanisms and multilateral negotiations operate.

An academic background rooted in international excellence

Hani Chaar's academic background includes studies at the prestigious Geneva Graduate Institute, a world-renowned institution in international relations, diplomacy and development.

The Institute's alumni include Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General (1997–2006) and 2001 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who studied there in 1961–1962.

Recognized expertise in project management and international cooperation

Beyond diplomacy, Hani Chaar has expertise in project management, negotiation, resource mobilization and the development of strategic partnerships.

He holds the Project Management Professional (PMP) and PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) professional certifications, combining strategic management skills with the operational demands of international cooperation.

His background also includes specialized training in peacebuilding, international humanitarian law, strategic foresight and disarmament, notably at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy and other specialized international institutions.

These experiences reflect his commitment to multilateralism, conflict prevention and sustainable development.

Political and civic engagement in Switzerland

Alongside his international career, Hani Chaar is active in Geneva's political and civic life.

Elected to the Grand-Saconnex Municipal Council for the 2025–2030 term, he contributes to commissions dealing with land use planning, mobility, the environment and social cohesion.

He also serves as rapporteur of the Social Cohesion and Youth Committee.

This local engagement complements his international experience and reflects his commitment to public policy, citizen participation and sustainable territorial development.

A strategic contributor to the growth of e-Peace Switzerland

Hani Chaar serves as Vice-President of e-Peace Switzerland and Director of its Geneva branch, officially registered in Geneva's Commercial Register in June 2026.

Hani Chaar and Fodé Samb with H.E. Patricia Danzi, Director-General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

The establishment of e-Peace Geneva marks an important stage in the institutional development of the association founded in Bern by Fodé Samb.

Under his leadership, the Geneva office's missions include:

• Institutional representation of e-Peace to international organizations, especially those within the United Nations system;

• Developing diplomatic relations and multilateral partnerships;

• Promoting non-governmental diplomacy and international dialogue;

• Mobilizing networks and expertise for international cooperation;

• Strengthening Swiss–African relations in peace, sustainable development and economic cooperation.

  
  

The complementarity of Bern, Geneva and Dakar is one of the foundations of e-Peace's institutional model, bringing together scientific expertise, international diplomacy and operational capacity on the African continent.

Hani Chaar and Fodé Samb alongside Swiss Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis at IC Forum 2024

Hani Chaar and FISA 2027: Building Bridges Between Switzerland and Africa

In preparing the Swiss–Africa International Forum (FISA 2027), scheduled for 31 March 2027 at Kursaal Bern, Hani Chaar contributes to strategic planning, partnership development and the initiative's international positioning.

FISA aims to bring together governments, companies, investors, academic institutions, international organizations and civil society representatives around a renewed vision of Swiss–African cooperation.

His experience in multilateral negotiations, institutional relations and international diplomacy is a major asset in pursuing this ambition.

In April 2024, Hani Chaar and Fodé Samb attended the International Cooperation Forum in Basel, where they had an opportunity to exchange with Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, on current challenges in international cooperation.

That meeting illustrates their shared interest in an integrated approach to humanitarian action, development and peacebuilding.

Through FISA 2027, e-Peace seeks to further this reflection by promoting Swiss–African cooperation grounded in dialogue, investment, innovation, institutional trust and mutually beneficial partnerships.

From Geneva to Bern: Complementary Visions of International Cooperation

Hani Chaar's commitment reflects a vision that recognizes the complementarity of Geneva, a global centre of multilateralism, and Bern, the political capital of the Swiss Confederation.

By combining the experience of international organizations with economic and institutional dynamics, FISA seeks to enhance Bern's profile as a privileged space for bilateral dialogue between Switzerland and African countries.

Alongside Fodé Samb and e-Peace's international team, Hani Chaar is helping to build a platform that brings institutions, economic decision-makers, investors and development stakeholders closer together.

His engagement with e-Peace Switzerland and FISA 2027 embodies a shared ambition: to turn diplomatic dialogue into lasting partnerships, economic opportunities and concrete development prospects for Switzerland and Africa.