Switzerland has significantly increased its support for fragile regions and those affected by conflict. The Dispatch on Switzerland’s International Cooperation for the 2017–20 period, approved by Parliament, has increased bilateral aid for these countries by 50%.

These funds are earmarked for tackling the root causes of conflict, strengthening civil society, increasing respect for human rights and promoting responsible governance at the national and local levels.

The SDC is active in a number of states and regions that are experiencing – or have experienced – latent or open conflict and are extremely fragile in one or more dimensions, including Afghanistan, Burundi, Haiti, the Horn of Africa, Mali, Myanmar, Nepal, and North Africa.

New approaches to development cooperation

The UN member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015. Sustainable Development Goal 16 establishes a direct relationship between peaceful and inclusive societies with strong institutions and sustainable development. By establishing peace as a legitimate aspect of development policy and practice, it honours the commitment made by the international community to the 'New Deal for engagement in fragile states' in Busan in 2011.

Despite the greater risks involved, special efforts are required in fragile contexts: for humanitarian reasons, in the interest of sustainable development and to improve global security. These efforts fall under the major international agendas for sustaining peace, for humanity and for human rights. Lastly, they recognise the necessity of adapting all interventions to the specific context in a way that takes full account of its complexity.

Addressing fragility is a way of reaching those who are most at risk of being left behind

The communities most at risk are those affected by chronic armed conflict and other forms of violence, lack of access to justice, rampant corruption, failure to respect human rights or institutions that are non-inclusive and non-accountable.

Many fragile states were already lagging far behind in making progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) prior to 2015. They now risk being left behind in realising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the given deadline of 2030. Therefore, tackling different forms of fragility can directly help reach the populations that are being left behind, and especially the most vulnerable.