The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) will phase out its bilateral development programmes in Bangladesh, Albania and Zambia by the end of 2028.
This decision was based on the actual needs on the ground, Switzerland's long-term interests (diplomatic and economic) and the added value of Swiss international cooperation compared to other countries.
The SDC is Switzerland's international cooperation agency within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
At its January 29, 2025, meeting, the Federal Council was informed about how the cuts to development cooperation decided on by parliament will be implemented.
In late December, parliament made cuts of CHF 110 million to the 2025 budget and CHF 321 million to the 2026–28 financial plan for bilateral and multilateral development cooperation.
The cuts do not affect humanitarian aid, peace promotion or support for Ukraine.
The budget cuts adopted by parliament will alter the implementation of the International Cooperation Strategy 2025–28.
They will impact bilateral, economic and thematic cooperation, and multilateral organisations-related work.
Nevertheless, targeted prioritisation should allow international cooperation to still achieve a great deal of its intended impact, according to the Swiss government.
This includes the CHF 1.5 billion international cooperation contribution to Ukraine's recovery and the CHF 1.6 billion for international climate financing.
Source: UNB
Bd-pratidin English/Fariha Nowshin Chinik
