As part of its International Cooperation Strategy 2025–28, Switzerland is focusing on effective, targeted multilateralism. The programmes of UNICEF, UN Women and the UNFPA align with the strategy's priorities and objectives in the areas of human development, peace, the environment and governance. The head of the FDFA, Ignazio Cassis, has therefore decided to make the following contributions:
- CHF 13 million for UNICEF, which plays a key role in ensuring access to education, healthcare and clean drinking water for millions of children around the world;
- CHF 11.5 million for UN Women, furthering the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women, in particular through legislative reform and access to employment;
- CHF 14.5 million for the UNFPA, which contributes to effective family planning, improved maternal care and combating gender-based violence.
This funding is in addition to recent contributions decided by the Federal Council, including more than CHF 30 million for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), CHF 2 million for the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and almost CHF 250 million to be allocated to the World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Support for International Geneva
Through these contributions, Switzerland aims to achieve its international cooperation goals while ensuring an efficient distribution of resources in crisis regions. The funding also supports International Geneva, where most of these UN agencies are active, in dealing with an unstable geopolitical situation marked by repeated crises. By strengthening International Geneva in this way, Switzerland is also reinforcing a key pillar of its foreign policy. The funding will come from the commitment appropriation for the financing of international cooperation for 2025–28.
Address for enquiries:
FDFA Communication Bundeshaus West 3003 Bern +41 58 460 55 55 kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
