Natural resources and development

View of a large open-cast phosphate mine in Togo.
Developing countries such as Togo have an abundance of natural resources. The SDC is committed to ensuring that these are exploited fairly © Alexandra Pugachevsky

Exploiting natural resources is crucial to the economies of many developing countries and Swiss companies play a key role in commodities trading. Natural resources can be used to alleviate traditional forms of poverty, but many countries fail to take this step. The SDC aims to address this problem. 

The commodities sector is becoming increasingly important in developing countries. According to a 2016 report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 91 developing countries in 2015 were dependent on commodities, where commodity exports accounted for more than 60% of a country's total merchandise exports. The World Bank also estimates that Africa alone is home to about 30% of the world's mineral reserves. Certain minerals, such as cobalt and tantalum, which are used extensively in electronic products, mainly come from fragile countries. 

With the expansion of 'clean' industries and technologies, the demand for minerals is set to increase, generating significant investment in exploration and developing new mines.

The various backgrounds and roles of the stakeholders involved have been debated for years by the academic community, international development policy committees, governments and civil society. The macroeconomic effects of exploiting natural resources and the factors causing price volatility have also been assessed. Attention has also been focused on extraction practices that cause damage to health and the environment, exploitative working conditions and conflicts over access to natural resources, which have the potential to unleash violence or even armed conflict.

Issues relating to financial flows from commodities trading are also the subject of intense debate. In general, funds that have been acquired illegally, or in questionable circumstances, and are transferred abroad present a major obstacle to economic growth and good governance in developing countries. There is broad consensus that illicit outflows from developing countries exceed the value of official development assistance many times over. A high percentage of these financial flows are attributable to commodities production and trading.

Switzerland is a key player in the commodities trading sector. It is estimated that more than 3 billion tonnes of commodities, calculated at over CHF 960 billion, are traded in Switzerland each year. In a report entitled 'The Swiss commodities sector: current situation and outlook' published in November 2018, the Federal Council states that it expects all companies operating in or out of Switzerland to demonstrate integrity and responsible conduct with regard to respect for human rights as well as environmental and social standards, both within Switzerland and abroad. The Federal Council also states that this applies to the entire value chain and is especially important for companies that operate in fragile states. 

 The SDC's main areas of activity

  • The SDC is committed to raising international standards for commodities production and trading and ensuring that governments and companies properly implement such standards.
  • Switzerland supports the implementation of multilateral instruments in the fight to control corruption and illicit financial flows.
  • In terms of international development cooperation, the SDC is committed to assisting its commodity producing partner countries in managing natural resources and creating sustainable value chains.
  • By supporting research and multi-stakeholder platforms, Switzerland is contributing to a better understanding of both the challenges and opportunities facing developing countries in relation to mining.

Current projects

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SER Culture for Democracy

01.03.2025 - 31.12.2028

Independent culture & arts are strong drivers for improved social cohesion, tolerance and democratic practice at the local level. Building on this potential CfD will support quality cultural and artistic initiatives, mainly outside of urban centers. Strengthening the resilience and strategic focus of independent cultural actors will open up more spaces for critical thinking and reflection and ultimately contribute to stronger foundations for social cohesion, tolerance and democracy in Serbia.


Asset Recovery Strategic Partnerships

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2029

Switzerland supports strategic partners in asset recovery who provide technical assistance to countries, advocate for international standards, and facilitate knowledge and exchange on international efforts and ongoing cases. The partnerships leverage Switzerland’s potential to influence the agenda more effectively, facilitate the integration of international best practices in ongoing restitution negotiations, and help ensure that returned assets benefit the populations of states of origin.


Core Contribution to the Interna-tional Fund for Public Interest Me-dia (IFPIM)

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2028

Public interest media in low- and middle-income countries face existential threats, impact-ing sustainable development and peace. IFPIM is an organization backing the resilience and independence of public interest media. Through SDC’s contribution to IFPIM, Swit-zerland promotes democracy by combating dis- and misinformation and ensuring media freedom and access to reliable information.


Land and Natural Resources Governance (LNRG) program

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2027

Myanmar's  land  and  natural  resources  are  threatened  by  conflicts,  disputes,  environmental degradation,  and  climate  change.  This  program will  strengthen  ethnic  and  community-based systems  for  better  land  and  natural  resources  governance  in  the  South  East  region  through empowered local civil society organisations and accountable ethnic Service Departments. This support builds on past successes, and is implemented by trusted local and international partners.  


Mobiliser les revenus miniers pour le développement durable et lutter contre la pauvreté (single phase)

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2028

La réduction de la pauvreté et la réalisation de l'Agenda 2030 nécessitent une mobilisation sans précédent de fonds privés. Pour les pays en développement riches en minerais, celle-ci passe par un partage juste et équitable des revenus tirés de l’extraction, transformation et commerce de leurs ressources minières. Cette intervention contribue à renforcer l’implication des pays en développement riches en minerais dans les forums multilatéraux grâce à des analyses et propositions de solutions.


PARIS21 Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century Contribution 2025-2026

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2026

The Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (PARIS21) works with governments, international organisations, civil society, and other stakeholders to strengthen national statistical systems and improve the production, quality, availability, and use of statistics for informed, evidence-based decision making for sustainable development. This is in line with Switzerland’s promotion of reliable statistical data to allow monitoring of development efforts, the use of data for policy making and decisions based on evidence. 


Core Contribution to Decent Work Alliance 2025 – 2028

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2026

Solidar Suisse and Brücke Le Pont are joining forces in the Decent Work Alliance to contribute to an inclusive and sustainable economy and decent jobs in the fight against poverty. Both Alliance partners empha-size Decent Work (SDG 8), carving a unique niche in Swiss international cooperation. Due to their trade union background, the Alliance partners can credibly access sections of the Swiss population that are difficult to reach for other actors, to strengthen their understanding for international cooperation.


Core Contribution to Helvetas, 2025-2028

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2026

Helvetas is an independent Swiss NGO supported by over 1 00’000 members and private donors. It is active in 35 countries with over 300 projects and about 1'400 staff. Helvetas’ International Programme addresses a range of working areas from Water, Food and Climate, to Jobs and Income, as well as Inclusion and Cohesion. Helvetas is active in the Global South and in Eastern Europe. It is an important actor of the Swiss International Cooperation.



Core contribution to Fondation Hirondelle, 2025-2026

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2026

Fondation Hirondelle is the leading Swiss NGO in the international media development sector. In a digital age marked by misinformation, the role of independent media is more crucial than ever, especially so in contexts of violence and crisis. Inspired by Swiss values such as democracy, dialogue and respect for minorities, Fondation Hirondelle fills a gap in crisis regions where quality information is precious. It ensures that communities are objectively informed and can make their voices heard.


Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees

01.12.2024 - 31.12.2027

Today, most migrants and refugees find protection and opportunities in cities, and cities are at the forefront of fostering inclusive communities. The Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees al-lows for cities’ innovative ideas to foster migrants’ contribution to the sustainable development of their host cities. The project follows the IC strategy’s thematic priority on migration, strengthening cooperation with local actors, and builds on SDCs leading engagement in urban migration.


Subnational Governance Program (SNGP)

01.12.2024 - 30.11.2027

Politicians,  the  three  spheres  of  government,  civil  society  and  the  citizenry  at  large  need  access  to relevant information on federalism and opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogue to deepen and sustain the  reforms. This project seeks  to enhance  the capacity of media and academia  to generate evidence-based information and foster discourse on key aspects of Nepal’s federalism, and it supports sub-national governments to engage in exchange and enhanced cooperation.   

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