Development and Cooperation

The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are particularly severe in developing countries. The FDFA has taken immediate action to mitigate the economic and health effects of the crisis there. It is providing emergency humanitarian aid, supporting international action, and focusing on the management of COVID-19 in ongoing bilateral and global development programs. Furthermore, Switzerland also provides assistance in the area of peace policy.

Seven musicians from La Paz are set to show off their experimental orchestra of native instruments in Basel, while other Amazonian artists will be taking the stage elsewhere in Switzerland. They were invited to share their creations as part of the 16th edition of the CULTURESCAPES festival, a cultural partner of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. They will use their medium – theatre, music or art – to engage with their audience on global challenges.

The Taliban have taken power in Afghanistan and the situation is extremely tense. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) provides the latest news on Afghanistan in this constantly updated news ticker.

Data collection and the production of statistics have evolved in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced statisticians to adapt again and again in order to be able to develop reliable and realistic indicators on global trends and developments. How is the relationship between policymakers and statistical offices evolving?

All of the Swiss FDFA staff have now returned to Switzerland. They are as well as can be expected under the circumstances, and are working in the KMZ crisis unit to get local colleagues and their families to safety in Switzerland. An interview with the head of the Swiss representation in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs are announcing the second edition of the Swiss Youth and Future Prize. The 'Together we're better' competition is asking young people up to age 35 to submit projects that promote sustainable development and help fight poverty in the Global South. Another goal of the competition is to offer young people the opportunity to become involved in international cooperation work.