GAVI Alliance recognised as an international institution

Lenz & Staehelin advised the GAVI Alliance in the restructuring of its organisation, its incorporation as an international foundation in Geneva and in the conclusion on June 23, 2009 of a Seat Agreement with the Swiss Federal Council under the new Swiss Host State Act which entered into force on January 1st, 2008. The GAVI Alliance is the first organisation to receive such recognition from the Swiss government. It is thereby recognised as "international institution" and enjoys privileges and immunities similar to those enjoyed by intergovernmental organisations in Switzerland.

The GAVI Alliance is a public-private global health partnership committed to saving children’s lives and protecting people’s health by increasing access to immunisation in 72 developing countries. GAVI Alliance support consists of providing life-saving vaccines and strengthening health systems. Since 2000, the GAVI Alliance has disbursed US$ 2 billion enabling 213 million additional children to be vaccinated and 3.4 million premature deaths averted.

Lenz & Staehelin’s team was led by Benoît Merkt and included Rayan Houdrouge, Simon Brunschwig and Stéphanie Buchheim (foundation law / employment), David Ledermann (corporate), Daniel Schafer (tax) and Xavier Favre-Bulle (private international law).