Through its multilateral engagement, Switzerland defends its values and interests by contributing to the setting of international norms and agendas, in accordance with the mandate given by Parliament to the Federal Council and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
Mandate of multilateral cooperation
The FDFA's multilateral cooperation mandate, which also applies to the SDC, is set out in the foreign policy strategy and the international cooperation strategy. Parliament allocates the necessary resources to the FDFA to guarantee its multilateral commitment on the basis of framework credits.
Switzerland has been a member of the United Nations since 2002 and of the World Bank and multilateral development banks for over 30 years. It is also the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions. This historical commitment allows it to be actively involved in the governing bodies of multilateral organisations.