Switzerland has announced significant cuts to its international cooperation budget, with the parliament reducing CHF 110 million ($121 million) from the 2025 budget and CHF 321 million from the financial plan for 2026-2028, according to reports from Swissinfo. These reductions will impact various areas of bilateral, economic, and thematic cooperation, as well as contributions to multilateral organizations.
On Wednesday, the Swiss Federal Council, the country’s executive body, was informed about the upcoming budget cuts. In response to these reductions, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has confirmed it will phase out its bilateral development programs in Albania, Bangladesh, and Zambia by the end of 2028. This decision comes as part of a broader reallocation of resources in light of domestic financial considerations and shifting priorities within Switzerland’s foreign aid strategy.
The cuts will affect various country and thematic programs, and there are expected to be additional reductions to funding for specific organizations and projects between 2025 and 2028. However, funding for humanitarian aid, peacebuilding efforts, and assistance to Ukraine will remain unchanged, as Switzerland continues to prioritize these areas in its foreign policy.
The cuts to the international cooperation budget are part of Switzerland’s broader efforts to align its foreign aid strategy with evolving global and domestic challenges. While the reductions will be felt in countries like Bangladesh, Albania, and Zambia, Switzerland has emphasized that it will continue to collaborate with these nations through other diplomatic and trade partnerships moving forward.
As the SDC prepares to wind down its bilateral programs in the affected countries, officials from Bangladesh, Albania, and Zambia will need to explore alternative sources of funding and development support to compensate for the loss of Swiss aid.
 from the 2025 budget and CHF 321 million from the financial plan for 2026-2028.){kind=link}