Geneva signs UN Open Source Principles

The Canton of Geneva has become the first Swiss canton to sign the United Nations Principles for Open Source. These eight guidelines promote an ‘open by default’ approach, encouraging the reuse and contribution of software to open-source communities.

By adopting these principles, Geneva aims to strengthen its digital sovereignty and reduce dependency on specific technology providers. The Canton’s Office of Information Systems and Digitalization (OCSIN) has already released over 50 projects under open-source licenses.

The strategy includes practical collaboration with the Canton of Bern, where both entities co-develop software components for online procedures to share costs and development efforts. This move aligns with federal guidelines in Switzerland regarding the use of electronic means for administrative tasks.