Switzerland's International Cooperation Annual Report 2007

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

The SDC is the Swiss agency mandated to carry out international cooperation activities. As part of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the SDC has its own programs, supports those of multilateral organizations, and shares in financing the work of Swiss and international development organizations. Its main areas of operation are:

- bilateral and multilateral development cooperation,
- humanitarian aid, notably with the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA),
- cooperation with Eastern Europe.

In addition, the SDC ensures overall coordination of development cooperation and humanitarian aid with other responsible federal offices. Employing a total of about 1,620 people - including local staff - who work in Switzerland and abroad, its budget for 2007 amounts to CHF 1.343 billion. Until 30 April 2008, the Director-General of the SDC was Ambassador Walter Fust. His successor is Ambassador Martin Dahinden.