5.1 At the bilateral level

Too much or too little water is increasingly harming people’s living conditions (© A. Ishokon / UNEP).

5 Implementation

Switzerland relies on a wide range of instruments for its water-related activities. Bilateral and multilateral instruments are flexibly deployed and optimally coordinated and harmonised within the Federal Administration.

5.1 At the bilateral level

Universality: Switzerland discusses water-related issues – based on the principle of universality – with all states and actors and at all levels. Humanitarian aid is used to rapidly address the needs of the population in desperate need, especially in times of crisis, in the event of natural disasters or during armed conflicts. To deploy the limited resources as effectively as possible, requirements are prioritised, paying particular attention to individual stakeholders in relation to the issue of water. Switzerland is guided by the principles of the core foreign policy documents (strategy cascade) including their guidelines. It remains flexible and agile to allow it to respond to new developments. Water diplomacy («Blue Peace»): With specially selected neighbouring states of cross-border water resources (rivers, lakes, aquifers), Switzerland conducts specific political dialogue as part of regional and national «Blue Peace» initiatives in the aim of achieving sustainable, cross-border water management. This dialogue is backed up by specific support projects, including technical cooperation on the training of specialists and on improving data collection, both of which are vital for the joint management of water resources. Switzerland regularly reviews the pertinence and effectiveness of the «Blue Peace» initiatives whereby the feasibility of support projects in cooperation with relevant social actors represents a key requirement for continuing this dialogue.