The 2028 vision in brief: A more focused, networked, agile Swiss foreign policy Foreign policy is becoming increasingly important to Switzerland’s prosperity and security. Switzerland is a success story, but if its success is to continue until 2028 and beyond it will need to adapt to the changing international environment. Switzerland must have the courage to change. Switzerland needs to adopt a more focused, networked and agile foreign policy: 3. Greater focus on services for citizens and cooperating with Swiss businesses are recognised assets of Swiss foreign policy. Foreign policy and trade policy will operate as a homogeneous whole. Market access for Swiss companies is a key priority. The private sector is an effective partner in addressing the sustainable development goals. • Switzerland’s foreign policy must emerge from a defined position more than has hitherto been the case. 4. Switzerland will leverage its core strengths to build a more peaceful and stable world. Swiss development cooperation will focus on creating jobs locally, finding innovative solutions to reduce poverty and addressing migration challenges strategically. Harnessing new technology will ensure highly effective delivery of humanitarian aid. Peacebuilding will be backed by a clear strategy, broad-based political support, and attractive packages of good offices. Switzerland will be able to respond rapidly to requests for its good offices. It will adopt effective initiatives to bolster the rulesbased international order and work, both offline and online, to foster respect for international law and human rights. • As an independent country, Switzerland needs to build upon relationships, both domestically and internationally, to enable it to promote its values and defend its interests. In shaping its foreign policy, Switzerland needs to adopt a ‘whole of Switzerland’ approach and step up cooperation with like-minded countries to achieve its stated objectives. • Finally, Switzerland’s foreign policy instruments must be geared to anticipating challenges and opportunities, enabling it to respond rapidly and with flexibility. Switzerland needs skills and resources in order to be heard in the volatile world of tomorrow and have a stake in shaping global events. AVIS28 sets out Switzerland’s vision in six key areas with a view to defining future foreign policy: 1. By 2028, Switzerland‘s foreign policy will deliver on strategic priorities based on clearly defined interests and its values. Foreign policy will articulate thematic and regional priorities. Switzerland will be consistent in its dealings with the outside world, including major powers. 2. Foreign policy will be closely linked with domestic policy. Swiss foreign policy will be firmly anchored within domestic policy, thereby ensuring it meets the expectations of the general public. The Federal Council will determine the direction of foreign policy in close consultation with Parliament and the cantons, based on a shared understanding of the responsibilities involved. 5. By 2028, new technologies will be an established topic of Swiss foreign policy. International Geneva will be a leading location for global governance in relation to digital transformation. Switzerland will present a clear, contextual profile and contribute to international policy debates with its expertise in tech diplomacy. Stakeholders from industry and the scientific community will become established partners in this process. 6. Having consolidated its bilateral approach, Switzerland will work with the EU, as a non-member state, in shaping Europe. The various institutional issues will have been settled and a self-aware and strategic approach will guide the internal debate on Europe. Switzerland is a European country both in cultural and geographical terms and defending its global interests must start with Europe. Switzerland will strive to put in place jointly agreed arrangements for regional cooperation. It will take an active role in shaping decisions, providing effective input into policy areas coordinated by the EU at European level. v