Peace, governance and migration

Conflict and suffering – economic growth and emergence. It is through these, seemingly opposed, narratives that the African continent is often discussed today. How does the SDC perceive these narratives and how does it respond to them? SDC cooperation offices in Benin, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zimbabwe have given their inputs on the opportunities and challenges arising from these narratives.

Switzerland has played a significant role in shaping the development cooperation landscape in Latin America and the Caribbean over the past six decades. In 2025, Switzerland will embark on a new chapter of collaboration with Latin America and the Caribbean.

In the context of Switzerland's second contribution to selected member states of the European Union (EU), a delegation from Lithuania visited Bern to exchange experiences and get inspiration for best practices.

As part of its peace policy, Switzerland is committed to identifying and finding missing persons. The missing persons programmes run by the FDFA's Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) prioritise Ukraine, the Caucasus, Kosovo and the Middle East. Switzerland also supports the ICRC's Central Tracing Agency and co-founded the Global Alliance for the Missing.

Every four years, the Federal Council presents the international cooperation (IC) strategy to Parliament. With the 2021–24 strategy period drawing to a close, it is time to take stock and learn lessons for the coming period. The offices involved – the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) – do this in the accountability report.

Despite the highest number of violent conflicts since the Second World War, the issue of mental health continues to be largely neglected in most contexts. Yet, it is undisputed that addressing the psychological and social needs of communities is essential for sustainable peace. The SDC supports health sector reforms and locally-led mental health initiatives in different conflict and post-conflict contexts. Its engagement in Ukraine particularly demonstrates the potential of this approach.