Bilateral relations Switzerland–Kiribati
The Swiss Embassy in Canberra is also accredited to Kiribati and maintains official contacts. Switzerland and Kiribati have diplomatic relations since 2004. Relations are cordial with both countries united in their commitment to upholding human rights and advancing sustainable development.
Key points in diplomatic relations
Switzerland cooperates with all the Pacific Island States in the following areas:
- International Geneva: Switzerland provides financial and logistical support to Pacific Island States to help them establish Permanent Missions to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva. This supports their direct participation in key multilateral institutions and enables engagement in global discussions on trade, health, climate and development, ensuring that their perspectives are included in international decision-making processes.
- Environment and climate: For Pacific Island States, climate change threatens lives, livelihoods and long-term sustainability. By hosting institutions such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Switzerland offers a platform where science, policy, and cooperation converge, enabling the Pacific Island States to access expertise, share their experiences, and strengthen their voice in global climate action.
- Human rights and development: The Swiss Embassies in Wellington, Canberra and Manila implement small-scale projects in the fields of human security, human rights and development cooperation.
- Disaster risk management: Switzerland operates a Regional Thematic Hub in Bangkok which monitors emerging risks and disasters in the region and can mobilise support to the Pacific states in the event of major disasters that exceed national and regional capacities. The Hub also supports the Pacific Tsunami Warning System through the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).
Consular services and visas
Consular services (registration and deregistration, issuing of Swiss passports and identity cards, civil status changes, etc.) are provided by the following Swiss representation:
Consulate General of Switzerland in Sydney/Australia
Website of the Swiss representation in Australia
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
Nationals of Kiribati can apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. Applications are to be submitted to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars, SERI
Eligible undergraduate and master’s students in the Pacific may apply for the ThinkSwiss Research Fellowship, subject to the current call and published eligibility criteria.
ThinkSwiss Research Fellowships
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
Bilateral
Switzerland supported the participation of civil society representatives from Kiribati working on women’s rights in a session of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in Geneva. The Embassy of Switzerland in Australia also supported and facilitated development initiatives in Kiribati, including projects in sanitation, health, and education.
Regional
Switzerland contributes consiberably to regional and global resilience and recovery mechanisms that directly benefit Pacific countries:
- Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR): Supports countries to better understand and reduce their vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change.
- Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) Initiative*: Supporting enhanced climate risk and early warning systems.
- Green Climate Fund (GCF): Financing climate adaptation and mitigation projects.
- Adaptation Fund (AF): Assisting vulnerable communities to adapt to climate change impacts.
- Global Environment Facility (GEF): Funding biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
- Santiago Network on Loss and Damage (UNFCCC)*: Supporting technical assistance for countries facing climate-related loss and damage.
- WMO HydroHub*: Advancing global hydrological monitoring and water management.
- International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific (IWRAW AP): Promoting women’s rights and gender equality across Asia and the Pacific.
Through these contributions, Switzerland helps Pacific countries strengthen disaster preparedness, access climate finance, improve water and environmental management, and promote inclusive, rights-based approaches to climate resilience.
*Secretariat based in Geneva
Swiss nationals in Kiribati
In 2024 there were three Swiss citizens living in Kiribati.
History of bilateral relations
Switzerland established diplomatic relations with Kiribati in 2004 and has maintained diplomatic relations with the country since then.
Kiribati, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
Links
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