Published on 1 February 2026

Humanitarian diplomacy

Swiss humanitarian diplomacy focuses its action on the protection of the civilian population during armed conflicts and in the face of the threats posed by climate change and new technologies. It contributes in a sustainable way to the protection of people – before, during and after armed conflicts and crises – by developing innovative solutions to address current humanitarian crises and by working at the diplomatic level to protect humanitarian space. Humanitarian diplomacy also includes Swiss efforts in favour of humanitarian disarmament and multilateral peacebuilding.

Swiss humanitarian diplomacy acts to protect humanitarian space. — © ICRC / Synenko Alyona

Swiss humanitarian diplomacy aims to ensure respect for existing norms and is committed to the development of instruments and mechanisms to promote the protection of civilians. To this end, it engages in regular dialogue with other states, international organisations, academic circles and NGOs. Switzerland participates in joint efforts in multilateral forums and directly in the countries concerned, because it is vital that these two realities complement each other to ensure effective action.

In order to fulfil its objectives, Switzerland is working in the following five main areas.

• The protection of the civilian population and the preservation of humanitarian space – to ensure the safety and full respect of the rights of the civilian population and persons not or no longer participating in hostilities, and to ensure that humanitarian organisations can carry out their mission.
• The promotion of sustainable peace at the multilateral level – with a view to strengthening the multilateral peace architecture and through the support of the UN's Peacebuilding Fund (PBF).
• Humanitarian disarmament – aimed at promoting the international treaties that regulate and prohibit the use of certain weapons, the proper management of munitions and conventional armaments, and humanitarian demining.
• Climate change and environmental degradation – aiming to protect human health by counteracting the negative effects of climate change and environmental degradation.
• The challenges associated with new technologies – aiming to protect civilian populations from the risks associated with new technologies, while maximising the potential benefits they can offer humanitarian and peace actors.

Humanitarian diplomacy thus aims to establish the conditions necessary for the populations concerned to continue to enjoy their rights and for humanitarian aid to reach its destination quickly. Particular attention is paid to the most vulnerable populations, such as women, children and internally displaced persons.

Links

• Geneva centres