A report entitled 'A Matter of Survival' is on the table.
Launch of the final report of the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace in Geneva. © Presence Switzerland FDFA

The SDC is working to ensure that the ‘water goal’ in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is implemented rapidly and that water is afforded greater prominence at the international level. Switzerland's actions are based on the firm belief and its own experience that the sustainable management of water resources is essential to promote social, economic and environmental development and to maintain global peace.

SDC Focus

International efforts have already given rise to major improvements, for example in relation to drinking water and sanitation services. However, the results are still insufficient. At present, 844 million people still lack access to clean water. Furthermore, one-third of the world's population is still living without adequate sanitation facilities.

The SDC is committed to strengthening the implementation of the ‘water goal’ enshrined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Alongside a group of countries, the SDC is supporting global political dialogue to ensure that international obligations are met and specific activities undertaken that will help achieve this goal. With its many years of experience in water management, Switzerland is making a considerable contribution to identifying comprehensive transboundary solutions. Moreover, the SDC is strengthening the voice of young people in policy dialogue both regionally and globally, for they are the potential water specialists of the future.

Water management is a particularly complex issue and one which the international community is addressing: Switzerland possesses broad expertise in this field. As stretches of two major European rivers, the Rhône and the Rhine, flow through the country, and a number of lakes extend across its borders, Switzerland has long experience in transboundary water management and can assist in developing solutions for other parts of the world.

Background

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: a stand-alone ‘water goal’

Under the auspices of the SDC, Switzerland worked successfully together with a coalition of other countries to have water included as a stand-alone objective in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Goal 6 covers the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems as well as access to drinking water, sanitation facilities and hygiene. A further objective is to promote cross-border cooperation between states in order to ensure comprehensive water resources management that involves all users at all levels.

Water and human development

If a reliable supply of drinking water and access to adequate sanitation services are guaranteed, the population is more likely to remain in good health, thus reducing medical costs, while healthier children mean lower school absenteeism rates. Water points located close to human settlements help save precious time – time otherwise devoted to fetching water, a task often assigned to women and children.

Water is also essential to ensuring the livelihoods of people in rural areas, producing food and energy, and driving growth in industry and the services sector.

Furthermore, shortages of water can give rise to tension or even conflicts. 153 states share rivers, groundwater reserves or lakes with one or more neighbouring countries. Rivalries over water therefore have direct repercussions for peace and security. By contrast, commonly agreed, peaceful management fosters peace and stability.

Documents

Current projects

Object 13 – 24 of 104

"Swiss Bluetec Bridge" - mettre la technologie des start-up suisses du secteur de l'eau au service des pauvres

01.02.2020 - 31.05.2024

Si les défis auxquels sont confrontés le secteur de l'eau ouvrent un large champ aux innovations technologiques, notamment dans l'approvisionnement en eau potable, ces innovations servent rarement les populations démunies. Le Swiss Bluetec Bridge rempli le vide entre soutien public aux PME et investissements privés afin que les entreprises suisses innovantes mettent de manière durable leurs technologies de pointe au service des pauvres.


Contribution to IFRC Emergency Appeal: Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak

31.01.2020 - 31.12.2020

As of 06. February 2020 a total of 28’292 infections and 565 deaths have been reported with the majority of the cases occurring in China.

The preliminary Emergency Appeal from the IFRC is seeking Swiss Francs 3 Million to support Red Cross Red Crescent Societies globally, to contribute to stopping transmission of the virus, and helping to ensure the health and dignity of communities affected by the outbreak. IFRC will work closely with National Societies in countries where transmission has taken place, and on preparedness measures for all countries. The main area of focus for this response is Health and WASH, which will include risk communication and community engagement, psychosocial support, capacity building of NS on epidemic response and support. Other areas of focus are protection, gender and inclusion and migration. While at the moment the response is largely in the Asia Pacific region, the IFRC is supporting National Societies in at risk countries with preparedness activities. The IFRC at global, country and regional level is coordinating with other agencies including WHO, UNICEF and CDC in information sharing and guidance.


Solar Irrigation for Agriculture Resilience (SoLAR)

01.01.2020 - 31.07.2027

To adapt to climate change farmers rely increasingly on irrigation, ultimately depleting groundwater resources and raising energy demand. The project aims to address these challenges by promoting solar irrigation, water efficient agriculture and groundwater governance. The project will harness Swiss expertise on hydrogeology and technical innovations to contribute to climate resilient agriculture and facilitate knowledge sharing in South Asia and at the global level.


Strengthening Drought Resilience in Pastoral and Agro-pastoral Areas of Somali National Regional State, Ethiopia (SDR - SNRS)

01.01.2020 - 30.04.2022

Pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods in Ethiopia's Somali National Regional State (SNRS) are increasingly threatened by environmental (climatic) changes and land degradation. GIZ along with Local Government partners aims at building the resilience of vulnerable pastoralist communities through proven land rehabilitation measures, the promotion of livelihood activities and capacity development of government and private sector institutions.


Philippines: Typhoon Phanfone - Contribution to IFRC Emergency Appeal

28.12.2019 - 31.12.2020

This Emergency Appeal seeks 2 million Swiss francs (CHF) to enable the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to deliver assistance for 12 months and support to 20,000 people affected by Typhoon (TY) Phanfone/Ursula. The appeal focuses on the following sectors: shelter; livelihoods and basic needs; health; WASH; protection; gender and inclusion (PGI); migration; community disaster preparedness and risk reduction; and National Society capacity enhancement. Therein, SDC favours humanitarian assistance to Shelter and WASH sectors.


IDB Migration Initiative (Clean drinking water and sanitation program for la Guajira)

01.10.2019 - 30.09.2022

Switzerland supports to the newly created Migration Initiative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) that was created in support of Latin American and Caribbean migrants and their host communities and accordingly contributes to deter grave development crisis by empowering communities to foster integration and consequently to strengthen stability of the region and Colombia in particular.


Capacity Building for Low Carbon and Climate Resilient City Development in India (CapaCITIES)

16.07.2019 - 15.07.2023

India is rapidly urbanizing. The growing Indian cities are affected by climate change but are also important emitters of greenhouse gases. Phase 2 of CapaCITIES aims at enabling climate responsive urban planning in eight cities and two states. Swiss expertise in waste management, transport, water and climate finance will support development of solutions for low-carbon and climate resilient cities. The results of the project in India will be shared through global reporting mechanisms and city coalitions.


Municipal environmental management

01.04.2019 - 31.03.2023

Based on its significant expertise in the field of sustainable waste and wastewater management Switzerland supports Bolivia in addressing its environmental challenges by consolidating models of sustainable management of wastewater treatment services and solid waste management for small and intermediate cities. In coordination with the Ministry of Environment and Water, it contributes to the implementation of public policies reinforcing the quality and efficiency of environmental services, involving local populations and institutions. This will reduce harmful effects on the health of the population.



DRR Backstopping services for Lima DRR Hub

01.03.2019 - 31.12.2022

It has been considered necessary and strategic for the Lima DRR and RR Hub to hire a backstopper in order to provide DRR technical assistance for specific actions in design, implementation and / or follow-up processes of Lima Hub. The backstopping activities will be aligned to the first two Programmatic Pillars of the DRR and RR Regional Concept for the Andean Region which are: Disaster Risk Reduction and Policy Dialogue.


Peru, Regional Hub Lima, Participation from Latin America - Carribean in Global DRR Platform - Geneva - May 13-17, 2019

01.03.2019 - 30.11.2019

From May 13 to 17, 2019, will be held in Geneva, the VI session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and will be hosted by the Government of Switzerland. In addition, the session will be cochaired by Switzerland and UNISDR. The GPDRR 2019 represents an opportunity for DRR partners in Latin America and the Caribbean as an important step in the process of capitalizing and consolidating contributions on DRR as relevant inputs for the Sendai Framework.


Small Actions Credit Line (Quick Impact)

01.03.2019 - 31.12.2021

The Small Actions Credit Line (Quick Impact) is a humanitarian instrument of the Swiss Embassy's cooperation office that allows a fast response to requests for moderate one-time funding of limited duration. It enables the Embassy's cooperation office in Lebanon to fund small scale development or humanitarian activities that addresses needs of refugees, IDPs, vulnerable migrants or communities at risk, supports the strategic strengthening of the portfolio of the Swiss Cooperation Strategy Middle East and which contribute to the visibility of Swiss presence in the region.

Object 13 – 24 of 104