"The SDC has a key role to play in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda worldwide"

22.01.2016 — Article Agenda 2030

Ambassador Michael Gerber is the special representative of the Federal Council for global sustainable development and represented Switzerland during the intergovernmental negotiations on the 2030 Agenda at the UN. In this interview he explains what the next steps are in terms of implementation and what role the SDC has to play in this.

"The Sustainable Development Goals are the basis of a new social contract"

22.01.2016 — Article Agenda 2030

The 17 goals for sustainable development and 169 targets form the core of the UN's 2030 Agenda. Thomas Gass, speaker at the Annual Swiss Development Cooperation Conference 2016 and UN Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, explains what the Agenda actually means and why it is necessary.

«Eine Welt/Un seul monde» – dossier on the 2030 Agenda

22.01.2016 — Article Agenda 2030

Swiss development cooperation: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter calls for immediate implementation of 2030 Agenda

22.01.2016 — Press releases Agenda 2030
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was the key focus area at this year's annual conference of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The 17 goals of the global 2030 Agenda will play a decisive role in Swiss development policy over the coming years. The speakers and experts dealt with different aspects of the Agenda: the negotiations, the implementation and financing, and what it means for Switzerland. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter spoke specifically of how it relates to Swiss policy. The opening speech was made by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Federal Council decides measures to allow Switzerland to implement agenda

18.12.2015 — Press releases Agenda 2030
In September 2015 the 193 member states of the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which Switzerland also recognises. Today the Federal Council has initiated the preparatory work needed for Switzerland to actively work towards implementing these objectives.

2016 Annual Conference: Together towards a sustainable future – the 2030 Agenda for Switzerland and the world

24.11.2015 — Press releases Agenda 2030

In September 2015, the largest ever gathering of heads of state and government in the history of the UN took place in New York to adopt the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. All states, including Switzerland, are called upon to contribute to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals over the next 15 years.

Interview with Ambassador Michael Gerber, the Federal Council's special envoy for sustainable development

11.11.2015 — Article Agenda 2030

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted unanimously in New York in September 2015 at the largest-ever meeting of heads of state and government.  This milestone sets out the path for the future and provides the model for sustainable development for the next 15 years.

Debate: Partnerships for sustainable development

05.11.2015 — Press releases Agenda 2030

First in a series of events entitled "Dialogue 2030: Switzerland and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" on the role of partnerships.

Debate: Partnerships for sustainable development

Invitation: Embarking on a sustainable global future: Switzerland and the Agenda 2030

15.10.2015 — Press releases Agenda 2030

On 2 August 2015, the member states of the United Nations reached a consensus on the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (previously referred to as the post-2015 agenda). It will be formally adopted by heads of state and government at the Sustainable Development Summit from 25 to 27 September 2015 in New York.

Sustainable Development Goals until 2030: President Sommaruga supports new UN agenda on behalf of Switzerland

25.09.2015 — Press releases Agenda 2030
Over 150 heads of state and government adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at a summit in New York on Friday. The agenda, comprising 17 goals and 169 targets, sets out the priority areas for sustainable development worldwide for the period to 2030. Switzerland was represented at the summit by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, who described the 2030 Agenda as "an extremely promising approach to resolving numerous problems".

Summit to adopt the 2030 agenda and UN General Assembly: Switzerland commits to sustainable development

11.09.2015 — Press releases Agenda 2030
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, will represent Switzerland at the UN summit meeting from 25 to 27 September 2015 in New York to adopt the sustainable development goals for the period to 2030. On 28 September, at the opening of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly, she will present Switzerland's priorities in the context of the UN for the coming year. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will represent Switzerland during this ministerial week in New York at various events on current themes and will hold bilateral talks.

The Oslo Summit on Education for Development (6-7 July 2015)

20.07.2015 — Press releases Agenda 2030

This high-level Summit brought together the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, and the Special Envoy on Global Education, Mr. Gordon Brown. A Swiss delegation participated which was led by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and with the participation of the United Nations and International organizations Division.

Federal Council opens consultation process on 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy

04.11.2020 — Press releases EDA
With its 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy, the Federal Council is setting out how it intends to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development over the next ten years. At its meeting on 4 November, the Federal Council approved the strategy for consultation.

UN World Data Forum in Bern cannot take place in October 2020

01.07.2020 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council was informed at its sitting of 1 July 2020 that the organisation committee and the United Nations have decided that the United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF) cannot take place in October 2020 and should be held at a later date. The UNWDF is an event of global importance in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This, the third meeting of the UNWDF, will be organised in Bern by the Swiss Confederation in cooperation with the United Nations.

World record-breaking giant postcard: SDC gives youth a voice in fight against climate change

16.11.2018 — Press releases EDA
Over 100,000 postcards with promises and messages about climate change from children and young people around the world will be used to stage a new Guinness world record on the Jungfraujoch: the biggest postcard of all time, raising awareness about climate change.

Bundesrätin Doris Leuthard zieht eine positive Bilanz über die Fortschritte der Schweiz bei der Umsetzung der Agenda 2030 für nachhaltige Entwicklung

17.07.2018 — Press releases EDA
Bundesrätin Doris Leuthard nahm am 16. und 17. Juli am Hochrangigen Politischen Forum für Nachhaltige Entwicklung (High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development HLPF) an der UNO in New York teil. Vor der versammelten Staatengemeinschaft und zahlreichen nichtstaatlichen Akteuren präsentierte sie am 17. Juli den ersten Schweizer Bericht über die Umsetzung der Agenda 2030 und deren 17 Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung (Sustainable Development Goals SDGs).

2030 Agenda in Switzerland: an initial assessment using 85 sustainable development indicators

10.07.2018 — Press releases EDA
(FSO) – The monitoring of 2030 Agenda in Switzerland expresses contrasting and somewhat contradictory trends with regard to the goals pursued. Thirty nine indicators show a development in line with expectations, fourteen show a reverse trend while twelve do not show any marked change. These are the findings of the monitoring system published for the first time by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

How can investments help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals?

20.06.2018 — Press releases Agenda 2030
Private investment is important for the financing of the 2030 Agenda and the success of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). What specific contribution it can make to their implementation however, depends entirely on the type of investment and reform of the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements. Reforms are under way but the outcome is still open, as was highlighted by the prominent panellists attending the SDC’s ‘Traverse’ event on 27 March in Bern.

World Health Day dedicated to “Health for all”

06.04.2018 — Press releases EDA
World Health Day 2018, which will take place on 7 April, will be dedicated to the theme of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Almost half of the world’s population has no access to essential health services and each year almost hundred million people face extreme poverty because of the money they have to spend on health services.

Trust in data in the era of fake news - The important role of official statistics in a world of fact, fiction and everything in between

04.04.2018 — Press releases EDA
(FSO) – Facts provide the foundation for political and social dialogue. But what happens when instead of facts, purposely spread untruths begin to dominate that dialogue? And what can be done about it, or better still, what can be done to stop it? Possible answers can be found at the conference entitled “Truth in numbers – the role of data in a world of fact, fiction and everything in between” that highlights the importance of official statistics for democracy. The conference is organised by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the international Partnership in Statistics for Development PARIS21.

Agenda 2030 für nachhaltige Entwicklung: Bund unterstützt Initiativen der Kantone und Gemeinden (de)

15.02.2018 — Press releases Agenda 2030
Ittigen, 15.02.2018 - Das Bundesamt für Raumentwicklung (ARE) und die Eidgenössische Migrationskommission (EKM) unterstützen im Rahmen des Förderprogramms Nachhaltige Entwicklung 18 Projekte von Kantonen und Gemeinden, um die Ziele der Agenda 2030 für nachhaltige Entwicklung zu erreichen.

Fine della COP23: un segnale chiaro per il clima da parte della comunità internazionale

18.11.2017 — Press releases EDA
Si è conclusa a Bonn il 18 novembre 2017 la 23a Conferenza delle Nazioni Unite sul clima (COP23). Nell'ambito della Conferenza presieduta dalle Isole Figi, gli Stati hanno espresso il loro impegno a favore del clima e dell'Accordo di Parigi. Inoltre hanno trovato un accordo sui documenti di base che riassumono le diverse posizioni su tutti i punti da negoziare per elaborare le regole di attuazione dell'accordo. Dette regole dovrebbero essere adottate nel 2018 nel corso della prossima Conferenza per il clima.

Switzerland an active participant at the 2017 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

19.07.2017 — Press releases EDA
On Wednesday, 19 July 2017, the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at UN headquarters in New York comes to an end. The forum is an annual event held for the purpose of reviewing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015. One year ago, 22 countries, including Switzerland, reported to the forum on their initial measures for implementation of the 2030 Agenda; this year, national implementation reports were presented by double that number of countries. In addition, thematic evaluations focusing on specific SDGs were conducted, with Switzerland playing an active role in the deliberations.

Switzerland welcomes approval of UN resolution regarding the Statistical Commission’s work on 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

06.07.2017 — Press releases EDA
On 6 July 2017 the UN General Assembly approved the statistical resolution entitled “Work of the UN Statistical Commission pertaining to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. Switzerland made a decisive contribution to the approval of this resolution and was actively involved in its elaboration.

2026 country report on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda: stocktaking begins in January

30.12.2024 — Article Agenda 2030
2026 country report on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda: the stocktaking process will be launched in January with kick-off events. Cantons, cities and municipalities as well as the drivers of sustainable development are invited to give their assessment.

Roadmap for a better world –"die Umwelt" magazine 1/2020

17.04.2020 — Article Agenda 2030

"die Umwelt" magazine is produced by  the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN. It is published four times a year on a key topic, and is free of charge. The current issue reports on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and how authorities, businesses, science and civil society are working towards them at national and international level.

MONET 2030: New visualisation

24.03.2020 — Article Agenda 2030
The new visualisation of the MONET 2030 indicator system makes it possible to gain an insight into Switzerland’s progression towards the sustainable development goals. The mosaic is not uniform, however, and while almost half of the tiles show progress, other areas show setbacks. This representation is dynamic, interactive and flexible according to individual needs. It is published online by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

UNWDF 2021: Road to Bern

16.01.2020 — Article Agenda 2030
Achievement of the sustainable development goals set out in the 2030 Agenda can only be measured with the help of official statistics. These will be the key focus of the third United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF) to be held in Bern from 03 to 06 October 2021. Under the label of the ʹRoad to Bernʹ, a series of events is planned in the run-up to this high-profile international conference.

High-Level Political Forum 2019

26.09.2019 — Article Agenda 2030
The annual High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) to review the 2030 Agenda took place between 9 and 18 July. The Swiss delegation to this major event was led by Ambassador Jürg Lauber and comprised staff from four federal departments (FDFA, DETEC, EAER, FDHA) as well as three representatives from the scientific community, the private sector and the cantonal government.

"The international community must scale up the impact of its engagement"

09.07.2019 — Article DEZA
In mid-July 2019, SDC Assistant Director General Thomas Gass will assume the co-chairmanship of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC) for a two-year term. In this interview he explains how he intends to lead this broad-based platform to ensure that the ambitious goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are achieved as quickly as possible.

UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 1-2 March 2018

01.03.2018 — Local news Agenda 2030
Sustainable Development is a core principle in Switzerland and the Swiss Federal Council follows the Agenda 2030 closely. Ambassador Michael Gerber, Switzerland’s Special Envoy for Global Sustainable Development, will be the chair of this year’s United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regional Forum.

“Switzerland is one of the most progressive countries”

16.11.2017 — Article DEZA

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by the international community in 2015 and has been in effect since 2016. What progress has been made so far? What are the next steps? Interview with Ambassador Michael Gerber, Special Envoy for Sustainable Global Development.

Online Consultation on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

12.07.2017 — Article Agenda 2030

From 26 June until 25 August 2017, non-state actors from business, civil society and academia, as well as cantons and communes, can take part in an online consultation. By participating, they can supplement the federal government's assessment of the implementation status of the 2030 Agenda and demonstrate their own contribution to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. The results of the consultation will be used for guidance when drafting the 2018 Swiss country report for the UN.

Switzerland at the 2017 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

05.07.2017 — Article Agenda 2030

The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development will be held at the UN in New York from 10 to 19 July 2017. Last year, 22 countries presented their initial measures to implement the 2030 Agenda; this year, twice that number are presenting voluntary national reports on their implementation of the Agenda. Thematic evaluations of specific SDGs will be carried out at the same time. The Swiss delegation will take an active part in the discussions.

Resilience is key

18.05.2017 — Article DEZA

From 22 to 26 May 2017, Switzerland will participate in a global conference on disaster risk reduction organised by the UN in Cancun, Mexico. The goal is to deliver on the commitments made under the Sendai Framework in 2015 in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A project co-financed by the SDC in Nicaragua has proven that prevention in this respect can be hugely beneficial to small farmers.

Mental health: a neglected aspect of development

06.04.2017 — Article DEZA

Access to physical and mental healthcare is a basic human right – one which for many people remains a luxury. The third Sustainable Development Goal stresses the right to health in general terms, highlighting the importance of access to healthcare for all and of promotion and prevention for mental health.