Switzerland’s IC Strategy: Flexible approaches in an unstable world
The International Cooperation Strategy (IC Strategy) for the period 2025-28 defines Switzerland’s goals and priorities for development and economic cooperation, humanitarian aid and the promotion of peace and human rights.
Swiss international cooperation addresses economic and structural challenges in developing and emerging countries, as well as climate change, pandemics, irregular migration and conflicts. It seeks to promote the rule of law, democracy, the market economy, human rights, dialogue, solidarity and humanitarian principles. In a volatile world, international cooperation strengthens Switzerland's credibility and influence at the international level.
Switzerland’s IC Strategy aims to:
- save lives and ensure basic services for people;
- promote sustainable economic development;
- protect the environment and combat climate change;
- promote peace and strengthen human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Swiss international cooperation is guided by three criteria: local needs, the specific added value that Switzerland can contribute, and Switzerland's long-term interests. These include a peaceful and just international order, stable and investment-friendly economic framework conditions, easing the causes of displacement and irregular migration, and sustainable global development.
CHF 11.12 billion has been earmarked for the 2025-28 IC Strategy. Of this amount, CHF 1.5 billion is allocated to support Ukraine and CHF 1.6 billion to combat climate change. International cooperation focuses on 40 priority countries in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe.
Switzerland’s commitment to international cooperation is based on a legal mandate. The IC Strategy is implemented by the EAER’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the FDFA’s Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD). This strengthens the coherence of Switzerland’s foreign policy and foreign economic policy. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides the framework for this international cooperation.