Foreword Digitalisation is everywhere. It has permeated almost all aspects of our lives and will continue to do so for decades to come. Digital technologies are constantly evolving and there is no telling where they will take us next. But one thing is certain: the new technologies shaping our future offer enormous potential to drive sustainable development and prosperity — here in Switzerland and around the world. We live in a digital age. With social media we can connect with thousands of people at once, wherever they are. The young generation is growing up with smartphones and tablets as a part of everyday life. And while computers have long been used for routine tasks, artificial intelligence is opening up a whole new world of possibilities. Now, as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, the key role of digital applications has really come to the fore. But digitalisation also brings certain challenges, not least the vulnerability of our data in an information society. The frequency and scope of cyberattacks, cybercrime and political manipulation in the digital space are growing all the time, as are dependencies and vulnerabilities. The Federal Council recognises the strategic importance of digitalisation. In the 2019-23 legislative programme, digita- lisation takes on new significance and plays a growing role. In the Foreign Policy Strategy 2020—23digitalisation features for the first time as one of four thematic priorities. There are two aspects to the role of digitalisation in government. At one level it is a work tool and a means of simplifying processes, for example in consular services or IT applications. But digitalisation is now also a foreign policy matter, raising a number of important questions. How In the digital space itself, Switzerland is confidently and independently pursuing its interests and values — the same interests and values it pursues in the physical world, whether on the ground, in the air, at sea or in outer space. Here too the Federal Constitution provides a framework to promote Switzerland’s freedom, independence, security and prosperity, the alleviation of need and poverty in the world, sustainable development, equal opportunities, human rights, democracy and commitment to a peaceful and just international order. We continue to be guided by this in the future to ensure a coherent and effective foreign policy, including in the digital space. The present strategy sets out the various fields of action for the Federal Council's digital foreign policy over the coming years. In the annexes it also provides additional information on the broader context for a deeper understanding of the topic. | hope you enjoy reading it. C2 wif Ignazio Cassis Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs do we ensure that users can control their data and decide who can access it? How do we maintain Switzerland's leading position in business, innovation and education? How do we strengthen the position of International Geneva as a hub for digital governance? How do we enforce international law and human rights in the digital space? How do we promote a secure and stable digital space and strengthen trust between the different stakeholders? These are all questions that arise in the emerging context of digital foreign policy. Foreword