The department is particularly concerned with the following areas, in conjunction with other agencies within the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the federal administration where appropriate:

• procedures for the conclusion of international treaties
• clarifying the responsibility of federal authorities for the approval of bilatieral and multilateral agreements
• notifying the federal administration, the cantons, the courts and individuals of the agreements concluded by Switzerland with foreign partners
• functions related to the 70 or so multilateral international treaties for which Switzerland acts as the depositary
• the law of neighbouring states and cross-border cooperation
• relations between Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein
• international environmental law and juridical questions relating to the relevant international agreements.