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.
Macron will attend Swiss summit on Ukraine, says Zelensky
This content was published on
French President Emmanuel Macron will attend the peace conference on Ukraine at the Swiss Bürgenstock resort next month, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.
Top politician tells ‘corrupt’ Eurovision to stay away from Bern
This content was published on
A social media post by the president of Bern’s cantonal government critical of the Eurovision Song Contest has created waves and will be discussed in the cantonal parliament.
Swiss centre records over 200 victims of human trafficking
This content was published on
Last year 317 people took part in a protection programme run by the Specialist Unit for Trafficking in Women and Women’s Migration (FIZ) in German-speaking Switzerland.
This content was published on
The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and partners are opening a field hospital in southern Gaza on Tuesday.
Lack of smartphone sustainability in Switzerland hits environment
This content was published on
Almost half of all Swiss citizens hang on to their old smartphones, tablets and laptops, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
Police clear out pro-Palestinian students protesting in Geneva
This content was published on
The police intervened early on Tuesday to dislodge pro-Palestinian students who had been occupying the University of Geneva for almost a week.
New gel developed in Zurich renders alcohol harmless
This content was published on
A newly developed gel composed of whey proteins breaks down alcohol in the body and could reduce its harmful and intoxicating effects in humans.
Pro-Palestine protests extend to Basel and Fribourg universities
This content was published on
Demonstrators called for an academic boycott of all Israeli institutions and disassociation with Chaim Weizmann, the first Israeli president.
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.