Thematic focus areas 1. Peace and security Switzerland aims to help build a peaceful and safe world that allows people to live free from want and fear, where their human rights are protected and they can enjoy economic prosperity. Peace, security and the rule of law are the foundations of prosperity and sustainable development. Switzerland’s foreign policy reinforces these foundations. To this end, it focuses on the proven instruments of security policy, human rights policy and migration policy, as well as humanitarian commitment and science diplomacy. A decisive factor in increasing Switzerland’s effectiveness in the new legislative period will be the country’s membership of the UN Security Council. Good offices: In the current global political climate, states that act as mediators have an important role to play. Demand for Switzerland’s good offices remains high. Its reputation as a reliable, discreet and neutral mediator is valued. Core elements of its political culture, such as powersharing, dialogue facilitation and inclusion of all interests are becoming more important for foreign policy. Switzerland will continue to develop its capacities to contribute to peaceful conflict resolution as a mediator, and to facilitate processes in this respect, including in its role as host state. In addition, it will continue to perform consular and/or diplomatic tasks for states on the basis of protecting power mandates where relations with other states have broken down. Civilian and military peacebuilding: Beyond its good offices, Switzerland contributes to sustainable conflict resolution through various instruments. It can, for example, offer expertise in conflict prevention and dealing with the past and is actively engaged in the fight against impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Protecting the civilian population – in particular from sexual violence – is also important. To support peacebuilding, Switzerland sends some 200 experts every year to join UN, OSCE and EU missions, or to its representations as part of bilateral programmes. The deployment of military contingents also remains important. Such deployments focus on the contribution to stability in the Western Balkans as part of the multinational Kosovo Force (KFOR) and in the European Union Force Bosnia and Herzegovina. Swiss Armed Forces personnel are also deployed worldwide in peace support missions. As confirmed in the 2016 Security Policy Report, the Federal Council is seeking to increase the quality and quantity of military peace support efforts and still intends to be able to deploy up to 500 Swiss Armed Forces personnel at a time. UN Security Council: The UN Security Council is the most important body for the promotion of peace and security at international level. Switzerland is presenting its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the first time for the 2023–24 period. The aim is to contribute Switzerland’s strengths to help promote peace and security, to build bridges as a neutral country and to better safeguard Swiss interests through direct access to the key players in world affairs. A seat on the UN Security Council is an important lever through which to influence international developments and to give greater emphasis to Switzerland’s own positions. The Federal Constitution empowers the Federal Council to promote human rights and democracy worldwide. Switzerland’s democracy, with its citizens who enjoy equal rights and are able to actively participate in political life, is held in high regard throughout the world. An important foreign policy mission is therefore election assistance and observation. Switzerland is also characterised by mutual respect between majority and minority groups with differing religious, linguistic and cultural backgrounds and is firmly committed to the universal protection of human rights. In principle, Switzerland is careful to ensure equal commitment to civil and political rights and to economic, social and cultural rights. Special attention is paid to particularly vulnerable groups. Science diplomacy: Where dialogue between policy-makers breaks down, science can help establish sustainable relations. Issues of common concern can be addressed through scientific cooperation between states, which in turn fosters trust and establishes or enhances international partnerships. Humanitarian commitment: Switzerland’s good reputation is based in part on its humanitarian tradition. Maintaining this tradition is also in Switzerland’s own interest. Switzerland shows solidarity by providing impartial assistance in crisis situations, in armed conflicts and during disasters, with a focus on people’s needs to guarantee their safety, dignity and rights. Humanitarian aid is intrinsically linked to compliance with international humanitarian law, international refugee law and humanitarian principles. Switzerland Thematic focus areas 9