Jobs, climate, migration and the rule of law

The international cooperation strategy is a foreign policy framework for Switzerland, based on the Federal Constitution, to alleviate need and poverty worldwide, improve respect for human rights, promote democracy and protect the environment. The Federal Council defined the thematic and geographical priorities for the next four years in February. In the 2020 summer session, the National Council is to discuss the subject.

Graphical elements illustrating the four priorities of the strategy.

The four priorities of the strategy: economic development, environment, human development, peace and governance. © FDFA

Parliament will debate the 2021-24 international cooperation strategy (IC strategy) for the first time in the 2020 summer session. The first Council is the National Council, where the business is put on the agenda on 15 June 2020.

The Federal Council approved the strategy on 19 February 2020 and therein defined the thematic and geographical priorities of international cooperation for the next four years.

The main thematic priorities are as follows:

  • Economy and Development
  • Environment
  • Human development
  • Peace and Governance

The four main key regions are:

  • Eastern Europe
  • North Africa and Middle East
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Asia (Central, South and Southeast Asia)

The main thematic priorities and the geographical focus allow Switzerland to implement international cooperation effectively.

Ignazio Cassis presents the Federal Council's position on the Switzerland's international cooperation (IC) in the National Council.
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