International cooperation planned: federal government wants 1.5 billion francs for Ukraine

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The federal government wants to maintain its objectives of international cooperation. Approximately CHF 11.5 billion has been earmarked for the implementation of the strategy in the coming years. A significant portion of this will be used for Ukraine and climate protection.

Two months after a fundamental decision by the Federal Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs (EAER) launched on Tuesday the public consultation on the cornerstones of Swiss international cooperation (IC) for the years 2025 to 2028 . Parliament will decide on the future direction of international cooperation.

The councils have made available about CHF 11.3 billion for the current IC strategy from 2021 to 2024. According to the current design of the strategy, it should be about CHF 0.2 billion more over the next four years.

1.5 billion francs for Ukraine

Of the CHF 11.5 billion, CHF 1.5 billion is intended to support Ukraine and the region. The humanitarian and development cooperation activities carried out so far will continue, it said. About 850 million francs have been set aside for this purpose.

As part of reconstruction in Ukraine, socio-economic infrastructure is being repaired and modernized to ensure sustainable reconstruction of the country. As a precautionary measure, the Bundesrat earmarked the increase in expenditure for this strategy period, ie approximately CHF 650 million.

1.6 billion francs for climate protection

Another CHF 1.6 billion is earmarked for combating climate change. The remaining funds will be distributed among the four regions (Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East and Eastern Europe), multilateral affairs, thematic priorities and contributions to NGOs in a similar proportion to the previous strategy.

In general, the goals of international cooperation should remain the same as before – in the sense of continuity and coherence, as has been said. Accordingly, Switzerland must save lives and ensure access to basic services; contribute to sustainable economic growth; protecting the environment and combating climate change; Promote peace and human rights and strengthen democracy and the rule of law.

Extreme poverty is on the rise again

According to the federal government, the international cooperation strategy pursues long-term goals. At the same time, however, he wants to respond flexibly to new requirements. The Covid-19 pandemic and the war against Ukraine with their health policy, economic and social consequences have necessitated adjustments of the programs and projects in the current four-year period.

The challenges remain significant, as reflected in the design strategy: for example, the number of people living in extreme poverty has risen again for the first time in 30 years. Today, about 400 million people depend on humanitarian aid, significantly more than in 2019. In Ukraine, about a third of the population has been displaced by the war.

47 priority countries

The Agency for Development and Cooperation (DEZA) and the Department for Peace and Human Rights (AFM) of the FDFA and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) of the EAER are responsible for the implementation of the international cooperation strategy. Overall, Switzerland’s international cooperation should focus on 47 priority countries, seven of which would be joint countries of Seco and Deza.

With the exception of Colombia, where Seco plans to move to other foreign economic policy instruments and exit by the end of 2028, all current priority countries will retain their status. Morocco will be a new priority country for Seco. The SDC wants to focus on supporting six new countries “that are in protracted crisis and for which a multi-year commitment of humanitarian aid is foreseen”.

After the consultation, which lasts until September 20, the strategy will be finalized and submitted to the Federal Council. The state government is expected to adopt the strategy in the spring of 2024. After consideration in parliament, the new strategy will enter into force on 1 January 2025. (SDA)

Source:Blick