What is the difference between international , development and transition cooperation?

International cooperation includes development cooperation with the South and the East, multilateral cooperation, humanitarian aid and the promotion of peace and human security.

Switzerland's international cooperation focuses on the following areas: conflict resolution, social development (basic education, vocational skills development and health), good governance, gender equality, development of the private sector, disaster prevention, respect for and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and conservation of natural resources. Switzerland is particularly active in fragile and conflict-affected countries.

As the Swiss government's centre of competence for international cooperation, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is responsible for the overall coordination of Switzerland's development cooperation with the South and East, multilateral cooperation and humanitarian aid. The SDC coordinates its work with other federal agencies which are engaged in international cooperation.

Organisation of international cooperation

Development cooperation is a Swiss foreign policy instrument that is used to help eradicate poverty and promote human rights. The Federal Constitution stipulates that Switzerland's foreign policy be designed "in particular [to] assist in the alleviation of need and poverty in the world and promote respect for human rights and democracy, the peaceful coexistence of peoples as well as the conservation of natural resources" (Art. 54, para. 2, Cst.).

At the heart of humanitarian aid are the victims of crises, disasters and conflicts. The task of humanitarian aid is to save lives and alleviate suffering. It is based on international humanitarian law and the internationally recognised principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. It is an expression of Swiss solidarity with people in need and focuses on emergency relief (e.g. the distribution of food and other vital relief supplies), reconstruction and disaster risk reduction.

Vulnerable population groups are to be protected before, during and following conflicts, crises and natural disasters. To achieve this, Switzerland has several instruments at its disposal. The Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) comprises 700 specialists who are ready to be deployed at any time. It is deployed to carry out emergency relief missions and seconds its own specialists to multilateral organisations. Swiss Humanitarian Aid also makes financial contributions to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the UN's humanitarian agencies and humanitarian NGOs on the ground.

Responsibilities of international cooperation

Transition cooperation promotes the rule of law, democracy and the social market economy, and strengthens civil society. Switzerland contributes thereby to political stability and provides people with better prospects. Its geographic focus is on the Western Balkans and the countries of the former Soviet Union. Transition cooperation helps to promote social, economic and governmental reforms. 

The priorities of transition cooperation are:

• Democratisation, decentralisation, local governance and combating corruption

• Health sector reform

• Economic development of agriculture

• Bringing vocational education and training systems into line with the needs of the labour market

• More efficient and equitable water management

• Prevention of conflicts and promotion of the rule of law 

Around 55% of financial and technical aid goes to five countries in the Western Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia and Serbia. The remaining 45% is deployed in the eight countries of the former Soviet Union: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Implementation of international cooperation