Switzerland's neutrality allows the country to act as a mediator. Its diplomats often represent the interests of countries which have no relations with each other. Thus for example it looks after US interests in Cuba and Iran, and Cuba's interests in the US.

Switzerland offers a neutral ground to host sensitive conferences and meetings. For example, the first meeting between Gorbachev and Reagan (1985) or between Clinton and Syria's President Assad (2000) took place in Geneva. Switzerland has also been the venue for peace talks between various governments and rebel groups - for example from Indonesia, Spain and Sri Lanka - and for talks on a settlement for the divided island of Cyprus. Switzerland has been involved in international efforts to bring about a dialogue between the government of Colombia and the FARC rebels since 2001.

The Swiss foreign ministry has set up its own "Expert Pool for Civilian Peacebuilding" (SEP) whose members work discreetly in a number of countries as facilitators bringing together opposing factions. Among the conflicts where these experts have given help and advice was the long civil war between the Sudanese government and the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement, which ended in agreement in 2005.

Geneva functions as the "international capital of Switzerland" and houses around 200 international organizations and diplomatic missions from about 170 countries. It is the European headquarters of the United Nations and headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross.