Tasks and Objectives
The International Cooperation Division (ICD) of the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing represents in China the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) from the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs. The ICD maintains a policy dialogue in China and implement the cooperation projects funded by SDC.
The Division focuses mainly on three objectives. The first one is to find global solutions to the challenges of global warming and climate change together with Chinese authorities and experts. China is now one of the biggest emitters of CO2 emissions (almost 25% of the total emissions), which are the main causes for the global warming. According to the last projections, the country is likely to curb the progression of CO2 emissions around 2030, even with the “new normal” in terms of economic growth. Therefore, the ICD works together with national and provincial authorities, Chinese universities, academies and research centers, trying to find pragmatic solutions to the different issues linked either with the mitigation of the climate change phenomenon or the adaptation to its negative consequences.
The second objective is to foster the dialogue with Chinese authorities and other relevant actors on international development cooperation policies, strategies, approaches and practices and on the implementation of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The third objective is to strengthen the cooperation on emergency preparedness and response, particularly regarding search and rescue activities, and to provide emergency relief in case of necessity.
