International negotiations 2012–2015

Several years of preparation work preceded the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015. In addition to member states of the UN, non-governmental actors from civil society, the academic community and the private sector were actively involved in drawing up the 2030 Agenda.

Swiss Position on a Framework for Sustainable Development Post-2015
Swiss Position on a Framework for Sustainable Development Post-2015 © Flavio Takemoto

Inspired by the positive influence of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the international community resolved at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in June 2012 to develop comprehensive targets for sustainable development. To this end, it appointed an open working group made up of representatives from 30 countries. Switzerland shared a seat in this body with Germany and France. In July 2014, the open working group adopted a proposal comprising 17 sustainable development goals. Intergovernmental negotiations on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development took place between January and August 2015.

Negotiations on the Addis Ababa Action Agenda – a new financing framework for sustainable development – were held in parallel with the negotiations on the 2030 Agenda. The international community adopted the Action Agenda at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa in July 2015.

The 2030 Agenda was officially adopted at the summit of heads of state and government at the UN in New York in September 2015. It is valid until 2030.

National support process

From 2012 to 2015, the international community deliberated on the definition of the 2030 Agenda and conducted negotiations. The FDFA was tasked with coordinating national efforts and representing Switzerland in international negotiations. A task force made up of interested federal offices, which had been appointed in October 2012, steered the process to develop Switzerland’s negotiating position and carried out regular public information events and consultations with representatives from politics, civil society, the scientific community and the private sector. This preparatory process meant that Switzerland was able to take a broad-based position to the international bodies involved. The Swiss position was approved by the Federal Council on 25 June 2014 and formed the basis of Switzerland's official negotiating mandate.

Stages in the national process during international negotiations from 2012 to 2015

  • The Federal Council approved Switzerland's position on the 2030 Agenda on 25 June 2014, as part of the decree on Switzerland's priorities for the 69th session of the UN General Assembly

Swiss Position on a Framework for Sustainable Development Post-2015 (PDF, 24 Pages, 1.2 MB, English)

  • Around 150 politicians and representatives of the private sector, government, civil society and the academic community took part in a public event held on 8 May 2015 as part of the national process on the Post-2015 Agenda.

Auf dem richtigen Weg in eine nachhaltige Zukunft? 11.05.2015 (de)

  • On 9 December 2013, the SDC organised a panel discussion entitled Auf dem Weg in eine nachhaltige Zukunft: Die Post-2015 Agenda und die Schweiz ('The path to a sustainable future: the Post-2015 Agenda and Switzerland')

Minutes of event (PDF, 31 Pages, 1.9 MB, German)

  • Public information and consultation of 8 April 2013

Minutes of event (PDF, 31 Pages, 156.1 kB, German)

  • Information and consultation of 18 January 2013 – discussion with the private sector (members of the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland)

Minutes of event (PDF, 3 Pages, 132.3 kB, German)

  • Information and consultation of 10 December 2012 – discussion with Swiss research institutions

Minutes of event (PDF, 6 Pages, 346.2 kB, German)

  • Information and consultation of 5 November 2012 – discussion with Swiss NGOs

Minutes of event (PDF, 1 Page, 133.9 kB, German)