Press releases, 25.11.2020

At its meeting on 25 November 2020, the Federal Council approved its first anti-corruption strategy for the 2021–2024 period. Although the strategy is mainly directed at the Federal Administration, it is also intended to have a wider reach.

Swiss authorities enjoy a high level of public confidence, but cases of corruption can have a seriously damaging effect – including on Switzerland's international reputation. In order to prevent this the Federal Council has adopted its first ever anti-corruption strategy, which is intended to build on particular aspects of existing instruments.

The strategy was developed by the Interdepartmental Working Group on Combating Corruption, a body that plans and coordinates within the Federal Administration under the leadership of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).The working group put on a range of events involving a number of federal offices, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland, cantonal officials, and representatives from the business sector, civil society and the scientific community.

The strategy's objectives for the 2021–2024 period range from preventing and prosecuting cases of corruption to international cooperation in this field. It addresses direct measures at the Federal Administration, which will be responsible for their implementation. The Federal Council also hopes that the strategy will have an indirect effect further afield. To this end, it is planning to cooperate on combating corruption with the cantons and communes and envisages both the private sector and civil society taking up the challenge together.

Switzerland also has anti-corruption obligations at international level and, like other states, is subject to regular reviews by the United Nations (UN), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Council of Europe. The recommendations from some of these reviews now form part of the new strategy. At the end of 2024, the Federal Council will assess what progress has been made and adjust the strategy as necessary.


Further information:

Corruption
Interdepartmental Working Group on Combating Corruption


Strategie des Bundesrats gegen die Korruption 2021-2024(pdf, 2568kb)


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