Geneva: The 6th edition of the Geneva Forum, jointly organised by the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) and the Tibet Bureau Geneva, commenced on 9 February 2026. The theme of the two-day forum is Repression and Resilience: Human Rights in Tibet and Regions under China.
At the inaugural panel of the Forum, Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) delivered the keynote address. He underscored that the Geneva Forum was established because Tibetans have long been denied adequate space to speak about the repression inside Tibet, and because Tibetan voices have remained largely unheard on international platforms such as the United Nations. Sikyong further highlighted the structural weaknesses of the United Nations, stressing that the current turbulent global climate demands urgent reforms to its institutional framework.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering also emphasised that the resilience of the Tibetan people is deeply rooted in Tibet’s history, reaffirming that Tibet existed as an independent state prior to China’s forced and illegal invasion. In this context, he referred to the newly launched English translation of Professor Lau’s book, Tibet Has Never Been Part of China Since Antiquity. Sikyong noted that the study relies exclusively on official Chinese historical documents to refute the People’s Republic of China’s claim that Tibet has historically been part of China.
Despite the sheer number of historical, political, and legal pieces of evidence verifying Tibet’s independent status in the past, the Sikyong emphasised that the CTA’s Middle Way Policy, proposed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and unanimously adopted by the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, is a pragmatic and viable resolution to the longstanding Sino-Tibetan conflict.
Representative Thinlay Chukki of the Tibet Bureau Geneva warmly welcomed the delegates on behalf of the Department of Information and International Relations. She briefed the gathering on the objectives and significance of the 6th edition of the Geneva Forum. The Representative stated, “We gather in Geneva not by coincidence, but by conviction. Geneva stands at the heart of the international human rights system, which makes this forum particularly powerful.”
“The diversity of voices present in this room is not incidental. It reflects a shared understanding that human rights are universal, that repression anywhere—including in regions under the People’s Republic of China—concerns people everywhere, and that solidarity cannot be limited by geography, alliances, or convenience.”
Former US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Uzra Zeya, is attending the Forum as a speaker. The fourth UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Professor Nicolas Levrat, is also speaking at the Forum.
At the inaugural panel, lawmakers from different parts of the world expressed their solidarity with the Tibetan people. Speakers included Hon. MP Laurence Fehlmann Rielle, Member of the National Council of Switzerland; Hon. MP Paloma Domínguez Ugarte of Mexico City, Mexico; Hon. Senator Pavel Fischer of the Czech Republic; Hon. MP Michael Brand, Parliamentary State Secretary of Germany; and Dilara Bayrak, Vice President of the Grand Council of Geneva.
Over the course of the two-day Forum, dignitaries, experts and observers from 26 countries will engage in discussions across four thematic panels and two special panels.
German MP Michael Brand, Guest of Honour at the sixth Geneva Forum 2026
Senator Pavel Fischer of the Czech Republic Senate speaking as a guest of honour at the inaugural ceremony
Mexican MP Paloma Dominguez Ugarte addressing the gathering as a guest of honour at the inaugural Ceremony
Dignitaries during the forum’s inauguration
Italian Tibet Supporters attending the conference.
Tibetan scholars at the Forum.
Dilara Bayrak, Vice President of Grand Council of Geneva.
Panelist Dr. Tenzin Desal
Tenzin Topdhen, Director of the Tibet Museum introducing the Tibet Museum exhibition at CICG
Glimpse of the Conference
Members of the audience listening during the Forum.
Sikyong with dignitaries during inaugural session
Sikyong Penpa Tsering interacting with participants during inauguration of the Tibet Museum exhibition at CICG
Visitors at the Tibet Museum exhibition at CICG, Geneva.
Forum’s entry gate
