Swiss international cooperation in the fight against zoonoses: Federal Council report
Bern, 16.08.2023 - At its meeting on 16 August 2023, the Federal Council approved a report on Switzerland's international cooperation efforts to combat zoonoses. Diseases transmitted from animals to humans, such as COVID-19, account for 60% of human infectious diseases. The report was drawn up in response to a postulate from the National Council's Foreign Policy Committee. It demonstrates the importance of a holistic approach to zoonoses, as well as a concerted international response. The report also shows how Swiss international cooperation is well placed to meet these challenges.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the challenges in the fight against zoonoses. Climate change is a major risk factor. The intensification of unsustainable agriculture and livestock farming also increases the risk of zoonotic disease. Over the last two decades, pandemics originating from animals have become more frequent and more costly. Low-income countries are more exposed to emerging epidemics and more vulnerable to health shocks. Switzerland's response to the COVID-19 crisis has been an international one, mobilising different instruments and measures to increase impact and the efficient use of resources, particularly by supporting partners and organisations already in the field.
A stronger international framework
COVID-19 has shown the world that better governance and a more robust international framework for action are required in order to prevent and manage future pandemics. Relevant processes are currently put in place by various multilateral forums. A number of UN agencies are also collaborating on an approach that integrates human, animal and environmental health.
Swiss international cooperation efforts
In addition to the work carried out by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (SECO), Switzerland's international efforts to combat zoonoses involve a large number of other federal offices which, based on their priorities and mandates, also contribute to mitigating the risk factors of zoonotic disease. Combining all of these different activities also results in an integrated approach.
Switzerland is also continuing its engagement in this area within the governing bodies of specialist organisations – such as the World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and the UN Environment Programme – while pursuing an integrated approach to human, animal and environmental health in low-income countries through its international cooperation efforts. Furthermore, Swiss activities in this field prioritise such determinants of health as nutrition, water and sanitation, and gender equality. The best practices of the collaborative efforts between the federal offices involved in the fight against zoonoses at international level will also continue.
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For further information:
FDFA Communication
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Documents
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
