Federal Council supports the continuation of international monetary assistance
Bern, 02.10.2026 — During its meeting on 2 October 2026, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the continuation of international monetary assistance. Switzerland should continue to be able to provide international monetary assistance of up to a total of CHF 10 billion under the Monetary Assistance Act. The Federal Council also decided that, within the International Monetary Fund (IMF), funds may be transferred to reduce interest rates on loans to low-income countries.
The Monetary Assistance Act of 2004 and the Monetary Assistance Decree based on it provide Switzerland with a tried-and-tested framework for engaging in international monetary cooperation. The Monetary Assistance Decree allows the Confederation to provide international monetary assistance totalling up to CHF 10 billion until April 2028. In its dispatch to Parliament, the Federal Council proposes to renew this decree for the same amount until April 2033. This will ensure that, should the need arise, Switzerland can continue to participate swiftly in measures to stabilise the global financial system.
At the same time, the Federal Council reaffirmed Switzerland’s support for the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust. In this context, it has decided that Switzerland's share of the IMF funds earmarked for the Trust Fund – amounting to around CHF 90 million – may be used to subsidise interest rates on IMF loans to low-income countries. These funds generated by the IMF are transferred internally within the IMF, provided that the IMF members approve this course of action by a large majority. The transfer has no impact on federal finances.