1 Introduction – why a 2028 Foreign Policy Vision? Switzerland is one of the safest and most prosperous countries in the world. It is politically stable and Swiss citizens have confidence in their institutions. The prospects for the next generation are good. Its prosperity, openness, competitiveness and innovative strength make Switzerland a political and economic middle power with major global interests. Switzerland is a success story. But it has no guarantee of future success. Switzerland’s pragmatic approach of focusing on solving specific issues and proceeding step by step has served it well in the past. But the world is becoming harsher, more fragmented, more complex – and more unpredictable. For Switzerland, this means that it cannot simply take its success for granted. More than ever, it must act based on a clearly defined position, especially in foreign policy. One of the main tasks every state has to fulfil is to regularly assess the global political environment, analyse changes and their causes, identify challenges and opportunities and, where necessary, adjust its foreign policy accordingly. Today this task is more important than ever. We live in an era where change and movement are the norm and Switzerland is impacted on multiple fronts. Digitalisation is transforming the economy and societies worldwide. The growth model pursued by industrialised countries to date is running up against limits imposed by climate change. Power shifts are changing the dynamics underpinning global politics. Geopolitical tensions are growing and trade conflicts are escalating. The cornerstones of international order, especially international law and multilateralism, are increasingly being called into question. Large-scale migration is sowing uncertainty among large segments of the population. In many countries, protest movements are on the rise because of a widespread loss of trust in established political parties and institutions. The European Union is faced with diverging conceptions of its own identity. And Switzerland is also feeling the consequences. 1 Introduction – why a 2028 Foreign Policy Vision? Switzerland wants to shape its future place in Europe and in the world in a self-determined and independent way. It must therefore respond to global changes and find solutions to emerging problems. It needs a vision to protect its interests and promote its values in a volatile environment. Foreign policy is becoming increasingly important for Switzerland‘s prosperity and security. The Federal Constitution provides a solid foundation to further develop Swiss foreign policy. Our starting position is good: Switzerland has considerable credibility as an honest broker and as a country that fulfils its obligations. Its good offices and commitment to the rule of law are greatly valued, as are its development cooperation and humanitarian aid work. International Geneva is a major asset for Switzerland’s foreign policy. The FDFA also boasts a strong external network, highly experienced staff, and a broad range of high-quality services for Swiss citizens abroad. There is nonetheless need for action. In a world that is again increasingly marked by power politics, Switzerland must speak with one voice internationally, understand its own interests and know how it intends to achieve its goals. It must equip itself to withstand pressure and demands from all quarters. It can do this most effectively if it already has proposed solutions at its disposal before pressure begins to be felt. In the past we often did the opposite: Switzerland would first ignore attempts to apply pressure to it, then it would raise objections, and in the end it would give in. Changing how we deal with international pressure requires a forward-looking analytical capability. Switzerland must also exert influence wherever important decisions are made. It must have the right instruments, partnerships and networks in order to help shape its environment to its advantage and seize opportunities worldwide. So there is a great deal Switzerland must accomplish, and this in a domestic context where unease about external influences is growing. This unease is less pronounced in Switzerland than in other European countries. But it would be wrong to under­estimate the trend. It is worth recalling how