© Helvetas

Swiss Development Policy

Switzerland must align its international policy in line with the UN 2030 Agenda. It is about global justice, equal opportunities, decent living and working conditions, and environmental protection.
© Helvetas

Together with Alliance Sud, Helvetas is urging Swiss policymakers and administration to bring Swiss policy in line with the Sustainable Development Goals set forth in the UN 2030 Agenda. In particular, development policy coherence is essential: all Swiss interventions that have an impact on developing countries must be designed in favor of sustainable development. This applies to trade, finance and tax policy as well as to environmental and climate change policy, migration and agricultural policy.

Free trade agreements, for example, must be designed in accordance to human rights. Social standards must be incorporated into international investment promotion and protection agreements, corporations must be obliged to comply with ecological and human rights standards, and illegal financial flows from developing countries must be prohibited. Public procurement should consistently prioritize sustainability with respect for high economic, social and ecological standards.

Sustainable Public Procurement

Sustainable consumption ought to be a matter of course for federal, cantonal and municipal administrations. So Helvetas calls for a better law on Public Procurement.

Responsible Business

Private businesses can play an important role in the fight against poverty. At the same time, they must respect human, social, and environmental rights and balance their profit by the interest of society at large.

Development Cooperation Policy

Development cooperation has to fulfill an increasing number of tasks, while at the same time resources are being cut back. This is why it needs political support.

More information

Position papers