1. Switzerland should reverse the expected decline in the ODA to GNI ratio to reach its national commitment of 0.5% by 2030 and should progressively seek to increase ODA further.
2. In order to maximise its comparative advantage, and preserve the quality of development co-operation, Switzerland should continue to engage in long-term and complex projects, with a patient approach to results that offers predictability to partners and catalyses support from other donors.
3. Building on continued and principled support to the multilateral development system, and in order to deliver on its objective of poverty reduction, Switzerland should increase the share of ODA allocated to least developed countries to bring it in line with its UN commitment; building on SDC’s approach to leave no one behind, Switzerland should ensure that poverty reduction consistently informs all programmes.
4. Switzerland’s management of human resources should take into account the specificities of development co-operation to:
a. attract and retain staff in fragile contexts by increasing flexibility in posting lengths and by providing non-financial incentives
b. nurture thematic expertise, by making the rotation system more flexible and promoting thematic career tracks across government units
c. improve career path opportunities for local staff.
5. To enhance results management and learning, Switzerland should harmonise the use of the digital Results Data Management platform across SDC, SECO, and PHRD; continue with joint evaluations where relevant; and strengthen the use of evaluation findings in the work of thematic sections, internal networks, learning journeys and regional meetings.
6. To improve public and political support for its international co-operation, Switzerland should take a more strategic approach to communication, developing a compelling narrative that highlights Switzerland’s international reputation, the domestic benefits of development co-operation, and Swiss contributions to sustainable development and global stability.
7. In order to improve its approach to fragility and towards peace objectives, Switzerland should:
a. apply a fragility analysis to all contexts, not just those in crisis
b. offer staff incentives to dedicate time to developing partnerships and deepening political understanding.
8. To increase the impact of its partnerships with the private sector, Switzerland should continue to increase coordination between SECO and SDC on common themes (e.g. enabling environment, skills and SME development) based on comparative advantages and better articulate linkages with SIFI, SIFEM and investment funds.
9. Recognising Switzerland’s strong track record on untying, in order to ensure the value for money of its programmes, and in line with the DAC Recommendation on Untying of Official Development Assistance, Switzerland should seek to keep its ODA untied, including for the Ukraine country programme.
10. To increase policy coherence, Switzerland should strengthen consideration of transboundary impacts in the consultation and co-ordination mechanisms established under the umbrella of the 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy, such as reducing risks in commodity trading and addressing illicit financial flows.