The Swiss government has decided to reduce by CHF30 million ($30.2 million) its financial contribution to United Nations agencies over the next three years.
The cutbacks for multilateral organisations are the result of a savings decided by the government, according to a foreign ministry spokesman.
In total, Switzerland has pledged CHF312 million to four UN agencies, according to a statement.
While the payments to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the agency for gender equality and empower of women (UN Women) were left unchanged at CHF48 million each, the UN Development Programme (UNDPExternal link) and the UN children’s fund (UnicefExternal link) have to cope with cuts of around CHF24 million and CHF6 million respectively.
The payments are “in line with Switzerland’s humanitarian tradition and its values of shared responsibility, equal opportunities and sustainable development”, the government said on Wednesday.
“These agencies help to promote Switzerland’s interests through reducing inequality, poverty, conflicts and other challenges that have repercussions well beyond developing countries,” it added.
It described the four agencies as “key actors in achieving the sustainable development goals of the 2030 agenda.” Switzerland’s contribution is limited to CHF156.4 million for the UNDP and CHF59.6 million for Unicef.
In May, Foreign Affairs Minister Ignazio Cassis criticised the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNWRA), causing a public outcry. But he stopped short of suggesting a significant reduction in payments.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
This content was published on
TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
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 to increase aid partnerships with private sector
This content was published on
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) plans to double the number of partnerships with the private sector in the next two years.
UN reforms in 2018 are top priority, says Swiss diplomat
This content was published on
Urgent reforms to the United Nations system, global migration, sustainable development and peace-building are top priorities for Switzerland.
This content was published on
“The situation of children in Switzerland is rather favourable, however we must recognise that there are a number of sensitive issues and shortcomings,” declared ambassador Stefan Cueni, head of the Swiss delegation, which this week defended its child rights record before a UN specialist committee in Geneva. “Some children suffer from poverty, sexual abuse and…
UN ‘complaints’ follow Cassis remarks on Palestine
This content was published on
There have been complaints at the UN after foreign minister Ignazio Cassis criticized UN policy on Palestine, write two Sunday newspapers.
This content was published on
Peter Maurer, head of the ICRC, has addressed the recent controversial Palestinian comments made by the Swiss foreign minister, Ignazio Cassis.
Minister: ‘UN aid agency is part of the problem in the Middle East’
This content was published on
United Nations aid work for Palestinian refugees is a stumbling block to peace in the Middle East, hindering integration.
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.