CommunicationPublished on 4 December 2024

International co-operation as integral part of Swiss security policy

Switzerland's security depends on solving global problems. The country therefore has a comprehensive approach to security as extending beyond military aspects in the international arena. It uses international cooperation to reduce its security risks in areas such as climate change and extreme weather, economic networking, global health, extremism, migration and forced displacement, and multilateralism.

Global development progress is relevant to Switzerland's security. — © Created with ChatGPT, pictograms by OCHA

The relevance of common development goals to security is made explicit in the 2030 Agenda adopted by UN member states: «Sustainable development cannot be realised without peace and security; and peace and security will be at risk without sustainable development.» [Resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly (2015)]

The stalling, or even reversal, of progress on sustainable development – in areas such as poverty, hunger, education, economic growth, climate and biodiversity, and peace – is a major cause of the deteriorating global security situation. Uncertainty and instability in turn hinder sustainable development. This negative interaction directly affects Swiss security in the medium and long term.

• Broad concept of security in foreign policy

  The Foreign Policy Strategy 2024–27 stresses that the growing number of crises and the challenging of the international legal framework have a direct impact on Switzerland's security and independence. It also notes that peace and security are basic prerequisites for prosperity and sustainable development and as such affect Swiss interests. Switzerland therefore has a comprehensive approach to security as extending beyond military aspects in the international arena.

  The Federal Council follows the same logic in its International Cooperation (IC) Strategy 2025–28, emphasising the direct influence of international security and stability on Switzerland's prosperity. IC's constitutional mandate places Swiss interests in direct relation to its objectives: «The Confederation shall ensure that the independence of Switzerland and its welfare is safeguarded; it shall in particular assist in the alleviation of need and poverty in the world and promote respect for human rights and democracy, the peaceful co-existence of peoples as well as the conservation of natural resources.» [Article 54 paragraph 2 of the Federal Constitution]

In recent decades, considerable progress has been made in sustainable development, particularly on poverty, health and education. This progress is now at risk, with the international community on track to achieve only 16% of the Sustainable Development Goals. To make matters worse, progress varies greatly and the gap between the poorest and richer countries is widening [Sustainable Development Report 2024]. The main reasons for this are the growing vulnerability of the poorest countries to multiple crises, such as climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in violent conflicts.

Risks to security – and what Switzerland is doing about them

These developments have a direct impact on the global security situation and Switzerland's security. Through international cooperation (IC) – consisting of development cooperation, humanitarian aid and peacebuilding – Switzerland has instruments at its disposal to minimise risk in various areas:

Climate change and extreme weather

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as floods, storms and droughts. The security aspect of climate change is also underscored in the Foreign Policy Strategy. According to MeteoSwiss, the Swiss climate has already changed significantly, and there is a threat of more extreme weather with drier summers, heavier precipitation, more hot days and winters with little snow. Mountain regions are likely to face additional risks such as rockfalls and debris flows, as well as loss of biodiversity. In addition to the direct impacts, Switzerland may also be affected by instability caused by climate change, which significantly increases the potential for global conflict [Hisang, Burke & Miguel (2013)].

• Measures

  Switzerland supports climate change adaptation in its partner countries through IC, for example by sharing its expertise on early warning systems or resilient agricultural systems. It provides humanitarian aid in the event of natural disasters, and is championing an initiative on transboundary water management that directly reduces the risk of conflict. In the long term, Switzerland is investing in renewable energies and green mobility, for example, in order to make economies – some of which are growing fast – more environmentally friendly.

Economic interdependence

Economic and security issues are becoming increasingly intertwined. As a country with few natural resources and a strong focus on exports [Swiss exports accounted for around 77% of GDP in the record year 2022 (World Bank, 2024) and imports for around 63% (World Bank, 2024)], Switzerland is dependent on international partnerships, a rules-based international order and functioning supply chains. Setbacks in sustainable development are also harmful to the Swiss economy, owing for example to significant supply chain bottlenecks [Economiesuisse (2021), World Economic Forum (2024), Credit Suisse (2022)].

• Measures

  Through IC, Switzerland shares its expertise in vocational education and training programmes, provides access to financial services and loans for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and creates local jobs. With its development finance institution SIFEM, it invests in the private sector in developing and emerging countries, opening up opportunities and laying a foundation for economic relationships. This is also a forward-looking investment in Switzerland's economic diversification and security, as poorer countries with their higher growth rates [IMF (2024)] and strong population growth [Our World in Data (2024)] are set to become increasingly important economically.

Global health

Switzerland's Foreign Policy Strategy recognises a link between global health and international security. Global health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic are a good example of this. Scientists argue that preventing future pandemics depends not only on better international coordination but also, to a large degree, on the resilience of healthcare within countries. [See for example Arush et al. (2022), Assefa et al. (2020)]

• Measures

  Switzerland provides emergency aid in the event of health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, for example by contributing to a multilateral initiative for the distribution of vaccines and hospital supplies. In the long term, for example, it invested in an African vaccine manufacturer through SIFEM. Switzerland also uses its expertise to strengthen the healthcare systems of its partner countries in the long term.

Extremism

A lack of prospects is the main driver of radicalisation and violent extremism, which also have repercussions for Switzerland. The academic literature identifies the following main causes: discrimination against social groups, state repression, poverty, unemployment and lack of education. [Vergani, Iqbal, Ilbahar & Barton (2018)]

• Measures

  Switzerland is active in all of these areas through IC. In its peacebuilding work, for example, it ensures that disadvantaged population groups can participate in peace processes and that their human rights are respected. At the state level, it supports its partner countries in decentralisation processes and the strengthening of democratic institutions. In addition to the above-mentioned economic measures to reduce poverty, it also invests in basic education projects and access to education. It is involved in training, security reform and social reintegration projects, among others, aimed at the direct prevention of extremism. [Switzerland's Foreign Policy Action Plan on Preventing Violent Extremism (2016)]

Migration and forced displacement

Forced displacement can often be a consequence of the failure to achieve the above goals. On the other hand, any form of migration can become a driver of innovation and economic growth and generate remittances that support poorer countries. Involuntary migration in particular can make the people affected physically and mentally vulnerable and drive them into poverty. [Adger, W Neil et al. (2019)]

• Measures

  Switzerland is addressing these global challenges through its international cooperation, by tackling the causes of displacement and ensuring that refugees are protected in countries of first refuge. It also harnesses the potential of migration by supporting education and career prospects in host countries, promoting remittances and economic activities by the diaspora in their home countries, and facilitating regular and safe labour migration.

Multilateralism

Switzerland favours an effective and targeted multilateral approach to global challenges. It advocates a rules-based world order, on which it depends as a small country. The system of international organisations based in Geneva contributes significantly to this. This system is also directly responsible for around 1% of Swiss GDP [Étude sur l'impact du secteur international à Genève (2024)] and indirectly enhances Switzerland's good reputation and the esteem in which it is held.

• Measures

  Just over a quarter of IC expenditure goes to multilateral organisations such as the World Food Programme, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Bank. In this way, Switzerland contributes to the joint solution of global problems and so strengthens its own security. The global presence of Swiss international cooperation also bolsters the country's credibility as a host state and provider of good offices. This credibility was confirmed by Switzerland's election to the UN Security Council with 187 out of a possible 190 votes.

Switzerland's security is multifaceted and heavily influenced by international developments. International cooperation provides it with effective and complementary instruments that have contributed to the major progress made in recent decades, but which is now under threat. This progress is relevant to safety.