With its 193 member states the United Nations Organization (UN) is the only organization capable of providing a forum that allows all the nations and actors on the world stage to come together to discuss the many issues of worldwide importance that arise. The UN is universal in a sense unmatched by any other organization, both in terms of the subjects it deals with, its members, its involvement in decision-making processes, in creating international norms and standards and its unrivalled international presence. Despite certain shortcomings, it enjoys a unique legitimacy throughout the world.
This year’s priorities – human rights, UN reforms and science diplomacy – are in line with Switzerland’s two key strategic areas for its commitment to the UN for the period 2012-22: peace and security, and UN reform.
The range of challenges facing the world, notably security, peace, combating poverty, promoting human rights as well as safeguarding natural resources, make Switzerland’s involvement in the United Nations indispensable. Since joining the UN in September 2002, Switzerland has been an active and innovative member. Membership offers Switzerland the opportunity to participate in the search for solutions to global problems and to accept its share of responsibility for exerting a positive influence on world affairs. However, the UN also offers Switzerland the ideal forum within which to represent its own national interests.
The focus of Switzerland's activities at the UN is in three areas:
Launching and supporting its own initiatives
Strengthening the presence of Swiss nationals at all levels of the organization
The day-to-day activities of Switzerland’s permanent missions to the UN (Geneva, New York, Vienna) and of Swiss delegates with the United Nations' special organizations and programmes (Rome, Paris, Nairobi)
Geneva is the main seat of the United Nations in Europe and, with New York, is one of the two major centres of multilateral cooperation. Despite Switzerland’s relatively small size, thanks to “International Geneva” the Confederation is able to “box above its weight” in the international arena, making it that much easier to achieve foreign policy objectives.
Switzerland advocates for women to play an active role in conflict prevention and peace processes, in reconstruction efforts and in post-conflict reconciliation. At the same time, women should be better protected – especially from sexual violence. Switzerland reaffirms this commitment in its national action plan.
Swiss Peace Supporter 3/2018
“Capacity development – turning knowledge into practice” is a multifaceted concept and a key component of international cooperation. How can people be empowered to act? How can police capacities be strengthened in crisis-stricken countries such as Mali? What role do international organisations play in this? Apart from the focus topic, the 03/18 edition also includes articles from Ukraine and Colombia.
FDFA Action Plan against Torture
The fight against torture and ill-treatment has long been a Swiss foreign policy priority. The action plan maps out how Switzerland intends to uphold the absolute and universal ban on torture and ill-treatment, as well as the steps it will take to ensure its effective implementation.
Le nexus, ou comment conjuguer humanitaire et développement
Blue Peace: An ideal turns into an international movement
Un seul monde 3/2018
Mékong : La croissance économique de l'Asie du Sud-Est ne profite pas à tous / Kosovo : Les rapports difficiles avec la minorité serbe / Des frontières floues : L'aide humanitaire et la coopération au développement constituent deux domaines distincts, mais vont de pair selon les ONG
Mainstreaming the 2030 Agenda in Swiss International Cooperation
The Implementation Concept addresses all state and non-state actors associated with Swiss international cooperation.
Guide “Returning to Switzerland Swiss citizens living abroad”
The relation between international law and national law in Switzerland
By looking at examples, the brochure explains the interaction between international law and Swiss law. Where and when does which law apply and how does one influence the other?
Swiss Peace Supporter 2/2018
The latest edition of SPS focuses on 'Kosovo, a country in transition', with articles on SWISSCOY's move from a field camp in Prizren to Camp Novo Selo, dealing with the past and this young state's long path to democratization. In addition to the focus theme, this edition also includes current reports from Colombia, Western Sahara and the Central African Republic.
Report on Effectiveness: Swiss international cooperation in the field of gender equality 2007-2016
Gender equality is essential to achieving sustainable
development. The study, which was carried out by a team of
external experts, comprises an assessment of three
distinct project and programme portfolios during the
period from 2007 to 2016 that reflect our approach
to implementing the FDFA’s gender equality policy.
The ten countries that joined the EU in 2004 have completed their projects under the enlargement contribu-tion. SECO and the SDC have taken stock of the last decade and published the results in their 2017 annual report. The projects have made a significant contribution to reducing economic and social disparities in Europe. Switzerland was also able to use its expertise to make a meaningful contribution to a number of projects.
The violent earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010 caused devastating damage. The emergency aid released immediately by the Swiss government boosted existing resources, which should be consolidated and continue in the future.
The violent earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010 caused devastating damage. The emergency aid released immediately by the Swiss government boosted existing resources, which should be consolidated and continue in the future.
San José Las Flores – a community in El Salvador takes action. The tragic loss of 37 children due to a cholera epidemic prompted the community of San José Las Flores to take action and tackle the sewage problem in their village. Thanks to its own initiative, and with support from SDC, San José Las Flores became one of the first villages not only in El Salvador but also in Central America to implement an innovative, sustainable and environmentally sound solution to the disposal and treatment of its domestic wastewater. In doing so, the village has pointed the way in how to improve health and quality of life of its residents.
This video portrays the history of the SDC as it evolves from the Service for Technical Cooperation into the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Inspired by the jubilee motto «50 Years SDC – More than Aid», the video not only looks back at past achievements, but also casts a glance at the future.
The triple crisis of HIV and AIDS, poverty, and conflict is felt by millions of children and families in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2002, the SDC set up the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI), creating a network of 13 countries in East and Southern Africa, in cooperation with the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The objective of this program is to provide millions of children with psychosocial support.
In the region of Tajra in Bolivia, grape vines stretch as far as the eye can see. Yet, every year, many small producers take on large debts to finance their future harvest. Unfortunately, the fruits of their labour are regularly endangered by hail, at times almost to the point of total destruction.
The violent earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010 caused devastating damage. The emergency aid released immediately by the Swiss government boosted existing resources, which should be consolidated and continue in the future.
The violent earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010 caused devastating damage. The emergency aid released immediately by the Swiss government boosted existing resources, which should be consolidated and continue in the future.
The violent earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010 caused devastating damage. The emergency aid released immediately by the Swiss government boosted existing resources, which should be consolidated and continue in the future.
