Humanitarian diplomacy

Switzerland promotes compliance with existing norms and contributes to the development of instruments that strengthen the protection of civilians. To this end, it maintains regular dialogue with other states, international organisations, academic circles and non-governmental organisations. Switzerland is actively engaged both in multilateral forums and in the countries concerned because complementary efforts at both levels are essential to achieving a long-term impact.

In order to achieve its objectives, Switzerland works on four main fronts:

• Protection of civilian populations – aimed at ensuring the security and full respect of the rights of civilians and persons hors de combat. 
• Multilateral peacebuilding – aimed at achieving the sustainable peace goals of the 2030 Agenda.
• Humanitarian disarmament – aimed at ensuring the prohibition of the use of weapons banned by international treaties, the proper management of conventional weapons and ammunition, and humanitarian demining.
• Climate change and environmental degradation – aimed at safeguarding human security in addressing the adverse effects of climate change and environmental degradation.

Humanitarian diplomacy thus aims to create the necessary conditions for the affected populations to be able to enjoy their rights and for humanitarian aid to promptly reach its intended recipients. Reaching the most vulnerable populations is a priority.