Federal Council requests continued support for the three Geneva centres
Bern, 02.12.2022 - On 2 December, the Federal Council decided to request CHF 130 million for the 2024 – 27 period to support the work of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF). In the coming years, the three Geneva centres will strengthen diplomatic dialogue, promote innovative approaches, for example to explosive ordnance disposal, and prioritise activities in Europe. They also aim to cooperate more closely with the UN, the EU and NATO.
The three Geneva centres were established as independent foundations in 1995, 1998 and 2000 respectively. The federal government subsequently set three objectives for working in partnership with the organisations: strengthening a peaceful and rules-based international order, establishing Geneva as a centre of excellence for peace and security policy issues, and bolstering Swiss expertise on Switzerland's foreign and security policy.
Today, the Geneva centres are recognised across the world for setting the standard in their respective fields. They also serve as an instrument to advance Swiss foreign and security policy interests, including international cooperation and peacebuilding. The GCSP provides a unique platform for discussion and networking in conjunction with education, dialogue and advice. The GICHD plays a crucial role in the governance aspects of humanitarian demining and in developing and implementing relevant norms and standards. The DCAF is ideally placed to advise governments on the complete range of security sector reforms.
Although the remits of the three centres are still relevant, they are all particularly exposed to the current geopolitical instability. The Russian Federation's attack on Ukraine and serious challenges, ranging from Afghanistan to Syria and the Sahel region, have created a new reality. Freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law have come under pressure across the world. This calls for organisations that can anticipate and build expertise in the challenges presented by new conflicts and crises. Platforms for dialogue and the facilitation of multilateral solutions are also needed. The three Geneva centres operate precisely at the interface between expertise, dialogue and standard-setting.
Switzerland is facilitating more effective international cooperation
The centres aimed to attract support from multiple countries from the outset. Today, dozens of countries are represented on the foundation councils of the three centres. The centres' international profile is intentional and helps increase the impact of their work.
In recent years, third-party funding has enabled the centres to increase the scope of their work and services. Since 2016, the federal government's share of that funding has declined from 65% to 55%, which indicates that worldwide demand for the centres' services remains strong. External evaluations commissioned by the federal government have confirmed the continued relevance of the centres both in terms of responding to global challenges and in relation to Swiss foreign and security policy.
Address for enquiries
For further information:
FDFA Communication
Tel. +41 58 462 31 53
Tel. Press service +41 460 55 55
kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Publisher
The Federal Council
https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html
