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Swiss International Cooperation – Annual Report 2017

A smiling young woman sits among the fishing nets with a tool in one hand and a piece of net that she is repairing in the other.
Millions of people rely on the aquatic resources of the Mekong River for their food security © SDC

What is Switzerland doing to overcome global challenges, alleviate suffering and improve the lives of people in its partner countries? How does it ensure its projects are carried out effectively? Find out in the 2017 Annual Report on Swiss International Cooperation.

Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen Fleisch, Director of the SECO, and Manuel Sager, Director of the SDC.

Editorial

In 2017, the implementation of the 2017–2020 Dispatch bore its first positive results.

Flags of various nations blow in the wind in front of a skyscraper – the headquarters of the United Nations in New York.

Overcoming global challenges

Switzerland works to achieve its global priorities in collaboration with multilateral organisations. In 2017, the emphasis was on water management.

 

 

A young mother cradles her malnourished child outside a UNICEF-supported stabilisation centre in Malualkon, Aweil, South Sudan.

Managing crises, disasters and fragility

A priority for Switzerland is to support people in need during crises and disasters. Hunger and conflict, failed harvests, and also artistic expression and how it can help people in times of need were some of the main areas of activity.

 

Dozens of children, mothers and other adults mill about inside and outside the 'Espace amis des enfants'.

Resources and services for all

Safe, reliable access to resources and services is important for disadvantaged communities. In 2017, the focus was on education and projects in the area of technology and finance.

 

A garment factory in Vietnam supported by Better Work.

Promoting human rights and basic freedoms

Switzerland is working for the respect, protection, promotion and development of human rights. 2017 saw improvements thanks to efforts to optimise working conditions and raise awareness.

 

Malika Zakarneh received financial services and advice from Bank al Etihad for her company 'Jadara Electronics'.

Achieving gender equality

Access to financial services, reducing levels of unpaid work, support for women in local politics and efforts to combat sexual violence were central to Switzerland’s efforts in 2017.

 

A group of mainly men sit on benches under a woven grass roof looking towards the front of the assembly.

Migration in focus

Migration has many faces. Millions of people leave their homes in search of safety, work and a better future.

 

A man in a white overall bends over a table piled with cacao beans in the

Effectiveness in focus

In 2017, the SDC and SECO evaluated over 70 projects to see how effective they are at creating jobs and income – and the results are encouraging.

 

The graph shows the geographical concentration of SDC/SECO ODA spending in 2017. At the SDC, 38% of spending was concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa, 24% in Asia, 14% in Eastern Europe and the CIS, 11% in Latin America and 13% in North Africa and the Middle East. 34% of SECO ODA spending was concentrated in Eastern Europe and the CIS, 20% in Asia, 17% in Latin America, 21% in Sub-Saharan Africa and 8% in North Africa and the Middle East.

2017 statistics: at a glance

Switzerland's official development assistance (ODA) and spending under the different framework credits are important indicators. They are used, among others, to compare Switzerland's spending with that of other countries.

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Last update 08.10.2021