Switzerland to increase aid partnerships with private sector
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) plans to double the number of partnerships with the private sector in the next two years, it announced at its annual conference in Bern on Tuesday.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SDA-ATS/sb
العربية
ar
سويسرا تسعى لمضاعفة شراكاتها الإنمائية مع القطاع الخاص
“We currently have 30 partnerships with the private sector. We plan to double this number by 2020 and we are confident of achieving this goal,” SDC External linkDirector Manuel Sager declared at the opening of the conference.
The aim is to launch projects with companies involved in sustainable development, and to improve cooperation with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and universities, both in Switzerland and abroad.
The SDC is the largest unit of the Swiss Foreign Affairs Ministry, with a budget of CHF1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) for humanitarian and development work around the world.
In 2016, Switzerland spent 0.39% of its gross national income (GNI) on international cooperation and international aid, compared with 0.41% in 2015. The reduction is the result of the savings measures adopted by the Swiss parliament. Switzerland’s official development assistance (ODA) nonetheless increased from 0.51% of GNI in 2015 to 0.54% in 2016 due to costs linked to new asylum-seekers in 2015.
Additional goals for 2020
Switzerland’s international cooperation strategy for the 2017–2020 period, led by SDC in conjunction with the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), uses the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable DevelopmentExternal link and its 17 goals as its frame of reference. It focuses on providing humanitarian aid, technical cooperation and financial aid for developing countries; economic and trade policy measures for development cooperation; transition aid and cooperation with Eastern Europe; and measures for the promotion of peace and human security.
This content was published on
Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with his victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
This content was published on
On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland pledges extra funds for education in developing world
This content was published on
Switzerland is stepping up its contribution to the Global Partnership for Education, an international fund targeted at developing countries.
Swiss government promises extra aid for Burkina Faso
This content was published on
The Swiss cabinet has pledged CHF30 million ($30.3 million) in aid to Burkina Faso for the period 2017-2020, for job creation and poverty reduction.
This content was published on
On Friday, the Swiss foreign ministry announced that Switzerland would send cargo planes containing water, sanitation and hygiene necessities for 15,000 people in Haiti who have suffered from damages caused by Hurricane Irma.External link Some supplies will also be made available to the United Nations in Panama. Switzerland is focusing its aid on Haiti because…
This content was published on
Swiss are to close aid offices in five Eastern European countries because the future of Swiss “cohesion” funds for these nations is unclear.
This content was published on
Since 1961 Swiss development cooperation works in areas including climate change, food security and environmental hazards.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.