International Security Division

The Global Security Section analyses questions concerning international security and follows the developments of the major European security actors: the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union (EU) and the politico-military dimension of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Together with the responsible services of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), it represents Switzerland’s interests in the framework of the ‘Partnership for Peace’, the NATO cooperation programme with individual Euro-Atlantic partner states, and carries out projects in this field. It makes contributions to meeting new security challenges such as hybrid warfare, new technologies, instrumentalisation of the energy, financial and economic sectors, and influence activities. The section ensures the exchange of information between the FDFA and the other security policy actors of the Swiss Confederation.  

The Arms Control, Disarmament and Cybersecurity Section is concerned with questions of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction, delivery systems as well as some areas of conventional arms control and security in space. The section also addresses cyber foreign and security policy issues and security challenges related to new technologies.  In cooperation with other services both within and outside the FDFA, it coordinates and represents Switzerland’s positions in international bodies, organisations and state party conferences, including the Disarmament Conference in Geneva, the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), export-control bodies as well as in multilateral processes relating to international cybersecurity (UN, OSCE).

The Export Controls and Private Security Services Section is the responsible authority for the implementation of the Federal Act on Private Security Services provided Abroad by private security firms and performs the administrative procedures set out in that law. It works within the FDFA on developing policy with regard to private security firms. It participates at the national and international level in the dialogue on domestic standards for private military and security companies. It maintains contacts with the government agencies involved, leads communication with the industry and publishes information for the general public. The section also coordinates the FDFA’s positions on Switzerland’s export trade of war materiel and of industrial products controlled by the Goods Control Act.