Foreign policy strategy
Swiss foreign policy strategies
Cascading foreign policy strategy
Cascading foreign policy strategy
Cascade of foreign policy strategies to strengthen coherence (illustrative selection of documents).
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The Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23 (FPS 20–23) sets out the Federal Council's priorities for the current legislative period. The thematic priorities are peace and security, prosperity, sustainability and digitalisation. The strategy also describes how these priorities are to be implemented in Europe, other regions of the world and at multilateral level, and, for the first time, also lays down specific objectives.
The Federal Council has fleshed out certain areas of the FPS 2020–23 in a series of thematic and geographical follow-up strategies, which it also intends to adopt. These follow-up strategies constitute the second stage of a strategy cascading process. At the third stage in the process, the departments will ultimately develop approaches to implementing the Federal Council's strategies at operational level. These may include guidelines, action plans and cooperation programmes.
With this strategy cascading process, the Federal Council seeks to achieve greater coherence in Swiss foreign policy. The various strategies and other documents relating to foreign policy strategy cascading are available here. A Swiss foreign policy glossary is also available.
The Federal Council has fleshed out certain areas of the FPS 2020–23 in a series of thematic and geographical follow-up strategies, which it also intends to adopt. These follow-up strategies constitute the second stage of a strategy cascading process. At the third stage in the process, the departments will ultimately develop approaches to implementing the Federal Council's strategies at operational level. These may include guidelines, action plans and cooperation programmes.
With this strategy cascading process, the Federal Council seeks to achieve greater coherence in Swiss foreign policy. The various strategies and other documents relating to foreign policy strategy cascading are available here. A Swiss foreign policy glossary is also available.
Cascade of foreign policy strategies to strengthen coherence (illustrative selection of documents).
Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23
Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23
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The foreign policy strategy defines Switzerland's foreign policy priorities over a four-year period. The Federal Council laid down the strategy for the 2020–23 period in February 2020. The strategy aims to safeguard and promote Switzerland's interests and values. The following thematic priorities have been set for the 2020–23 period:
Article 54 provides that "the Confederation shall ensure that the independence of Switzerland and its welfare is safeguarded; it shall in particular assist in the alleviation of need and poverty in the world and promote respect for human rights and democracy, the peaceful co-existence of peoples as well as the conservation of natural resources."
The foreign policy strategy provides guidance for all strategies at departmental level that focus on particular themes and geographical areas.
This will enable foreign policy to be implemented consistently across all thematic areas with the involvement of all key stakeholders.
Foreign Policy Strategy 2020-2023
- Peace and security
- Prosperity
- Sustainability
- Digitalisation
Article 54 provides that "the Confederation shall ensure that the independence of Switzerland and its welfare is safeguarded; it shall in particular assist in the alleviation of need and poverty in the world and promote respect for human rights and democracy, the peaceful co-existence of peoples as well as the conservation of natural resources."
The foreign policy strategy provides guidance for all strategies at departmental level that focus on particular themes and geographical areas.
This will enable foreign policy to be implemented consistently across all thematic areas with the involvement of all key stakeholders.
Foreign Policy Strategy 2020-2023
Follow-up strategies
Geographical strategies
In line with the principle of universality, Switzerland maintains bilateral relations with all the countries of the world. The geographical strategies are based on the Foreign Policy Strategy 2020-2023 and provide further detail on Switzerland's priorities for specific regions and countries.
Implementation documents
FDFA policy documents
The different federal government departments are free to adopt their own implementation documents to ensure that Federal Council strategies are properly implemented at departmental level. These can take the form of guidelines, general guidance or action plans, for example. They form the third level of the cascading process.
Foreign Policy Vision
Switzerland's 2028 Foreign Policy Vision (AVIS28)
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis commissioned a high-level working group to produce a vision for the further development of Swiss foreign policy over a ten-year time horizon. AVIS28 was a major source of inspiration for the APS 20–23 and the related geographical and thematic follow-up strategies.
Switzerland's 2028 Foreign Policy Vision (AVIS28)
Switzerland's 2028 Foreign Policy Vision (AVIS28)
Overview and glossary
All strategies
Foreign Policy Strategy
Arms Control and Disarmament Strategy
Digital Foreign Policy Strategy
International Cooperation Strategy
Strategy for Communication Abroad
Americas Strategy
China Strategy
Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy
MENA Strategy
South East Asia Strategy
Guidelines on Water
Action Plan for the OSCE
Guidelines on Human Rights
General Guidance on the Private Sector
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Swiss foreign policy strategies
Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23
Thematic strategies
Geographical strategies
FDFA policy documents
Switzerland's 2028 Foreign Policy Vision (AVIS28)
All strategies