News

For ten years, the Swiss Entrepreneurship Programme, launched by SECO has been strengthening start-ups and their ecosystems in partner countries.

Switzerland and Egypt have launched a new cooperation programme for 2025–2028. Egypt is an important partner for Switzerland in the areas of economic and development cooperation.

Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin has signed a memorandum of understanding for a programme supporting sustainable development of South Africa's largest cities.

From 20 to 23 October 2025, the sixteenth ministerial meeting of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) took place in Geneva under the Swiss presidency.

Switzerland and Morocco have launched a cooperation programme for the years 2025 to 2028 in Rabat. The programme strengthens bilateral economic relations and sustainable and inclusive development.

During his economic mission to Indonesia Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin launched the new 2025–2028 SECO Cooperation Programme with Indonesia.

The Swiss Platform for Sustainable Coffee adopted six common goals that point the way towards more sustainable value creation in the coffee sector.

Switzerland is committed to supporting Ukraine’s economic recovery with the programme "Competitiveness for Recovery Ukraine 2026–2030".

Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin and representatives of the other EFTA states have signed a free trade agreement with the Mercosur states.

The 2024 Annual Report shows how SECO and the SDC saved lives, ensured basic human needs and promoted sustainable economic growth.

At the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025, Switzerland signed an international treaty with Ukraine. This forms the legal basis for increased cooperation with the Swiss private sector in reconstruction.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Switzerland has helped the AIIB establish itself as a successful partner in the multilateral development banking system.

The OECD has launched the Development Co-operation Peer Review of Switzerland.

On April 30, 2025, the Swiss Federal Council approved the 2024 annual report of the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM AG). In 2024, SIFEM achieved its highest investment volume since its inception.

The Federal Council wants to contribute towards increasing the guarantee capital of the African Development Bank (AfDB). It is requesting Parliament to approve a guarantee credit of CHF 1.56 billion, as decided on 30 April.

At the World Bank's Spring Meetings 2025, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin emphasised Switzerland's commitment to a strong multilateral system.

On 24 April, Switzerland and Tunisia launched a new cooperation programme for 2025–2028.

On April 16, 2025, the Federal Council decided to postpone the entry into force of the updated Swiss system of unilateral tariff preferences for developing countries to April 1, 2026.

In 2024, Switzerland's official development assistance (ODA) amounted to CHF 4.05 billion, equivalent to 0.51% of its gross national income (GNI).

Switzerland is contributing CHF 600 million to the 21st replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank.

SECO has presented its new country programme with Peru for 2025–2028. It prioritises sustainable economic growth in Peru and the strengthening and further development of public institutions.

Switzerland is providing CHF 1.5 billion to support reconstruction, reforms and sustainable development in Ukraine. These are the objectives of the Ukraine country programme for 2025-2028. The Swiss private sector plays an important role in its implementation.

The price of cocoa has risen considerably. To what extent are the producer families who grow cocoa benefiting from these record prices?

The fourth International Cooperation Forum on Sustainable Development took place at ETH Zurich on 27–28 February. More than 1500 interested participants attended on site and online.

Slovakia is seeking to involve Swiss institutions in partnerships as part of the programme "Promoting sustainable tourism and strengthening biodiversity in protected areas".

Swiss companies with established operations in Ukraine can now submit proposals for reconstruction projects in Ukraine.

At the end of 2024 , Parliament approved Switzerland's International Cooperation Strategy 2025–28 and allocated CHF 11.12 billion towards it.

Switzerland is committed to economic and private sector development in low- and middle-income countries. It works with young entrepreneurs to create decent jobs. The Annual Report on Switzerland’s International Cooperation 2023 tells the story.

Switzerland is committed to economic and private sector development in low- and middle-income countries. It works with young entrepreneurs to create decent jobs. The Annual Report on Switzerland’s International Cooperation 2023 tells the story.

Switzerland is committed to economic and private sector development in low- and middle-income countries. It works with young entrepreneurs to create decent jobs. The Annual Report on Switzerland’s International Cooperation 2023 tells the story.