Peace, governance and migration

The year 2022 was replete with major challenges: climate disasters, the war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as energy and food crises. Switzerland's engagement made an important contribution to efforts to overcome these pressing issues. The Swiss International Cooperation – Annual Report 2022 has compiled the key stories, facts and figures from this year.

On 12 February 2023 – one month after the general elections – Benin's National Assembly has welcomed its new members of parliament. For the first time in Benin's democratic history, twenty-eight of the 109 parliamentary seats will be occupied by women. Switzerland's governance and gender equality programmes have helped to strengthen women's political leadership.

Together with Ambassador Maya Tissafi, SDC Director General Patricia Danzi has visited Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. The focus of the visit was on Switzerland's humanitarian work.

The SDC has been working in Egypt since 2017 to improve drinking water management and make water distribution more equitable in disadvantaged neighbourhoods of the Aswan Governorate. Egypt, where COP27 is being held in early November, is among the African countries with the highest water stress.

The effects of climate change are exacerbating political, social, economic and ecological stress factors and increasing the risk of conflicts. The Berlin Climate and Security Conference aims to find answers to these problems. SDC Director General Patricia Danzi explains why climate and security cannot be considered in isolation and how Switzerland intends to raise the issue in the UN Security Council.

Nepal has seen profound changes in recent decades, from a monarchy to the adoption of a federalist constitution in 2015. Swiss development cooperation, which has been present in the country for over 60 years, has been continuously adapting its approach to ensure its continued effectiveness. Ahead of the visit to Kathmandu of SDC Director General Patrizia Danzi and Barbara Böni, head of the Asia Section, we examine the past and future of Switzerland's work in this Himalayan country.