Geneva Engage Awards spotlight digital trust in the AI era
As the Geneva Engage Awards return, they shine a spotlight on how International Geneva must adapt its digital voice and credibility as audiences increasingly rely on AI-driven sources for information.
The Geneva Engage initiative, launched in 2016 by the Geneva Internet Platform under DiploFoundation with the support of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, continues to track how International Geneva connects with audiences worldwide. Through research and annual awards, it assesses how Geneva-based actors communicate on global policy issues ranging from development and human rights to health, the environment, and digital governance.
The 11th edition of the Geneva Engage Awards was held on 3 February 2026 at the World Meteorological Organization building, and it came at a moment of significant change in how people access information. Under the theme ‘Back to basics in the AI era’, the event explored how International Geneva can remain a trusted source as users increasingly rely on AI assistants rather than traditional searches, websites, and reports.
Each year, the Geneva Engage Awards recognise excellence in digital outreach across three main categories: international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and permanent representations. The evaluation focuses on how effectively these actors use digital tools to engage global audiences, build trust, and remain visible in an evolving information ecosystem.
The methodology combines quantitative analysis across three areas, social media outreach, web relevancy, and web accessibility. Performance is measured using engagement data from social media platforms, the visibility and relevance of web content in global search results, and accessibility standards that assess how usable and inclusive websites are for diverse audiences.
In the International Organisations category, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) won first place. The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) were named runners-up for their strong digital presence and outreach.
Among non-governmental organisations, the International AIDS Society ranked first. It was followed by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), both recognised as runners-up for their effective digital engagement.
In the Permanent Representations category, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva took first place. The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Rwanda and the Permanent Mission of France were named runners-up.
The Web Accessibility Award went to the Permanent Mission of Canada, while the Geneva AI Leadership Award was presented to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Honourable mentions were awarded to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Permanent Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations Office in Geneva, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Together, this year’s results highlight how digital trust, accessibility, and relevance are becoming central to diplomacy in an AI-driven information landscape.
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