Switzerland runs a substantial humanitarian aid programme in Yemen and supports the UN-led peace process.
Bilateral relations
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Since 1990, the two countries have concluded agreements on air transport, technical cooperation and debt reduction. Relations are currently focused on Swiss Humanitarian Aid operations in Yemen and Switzerland's good offices in support of the UN-led peace process.
Development Cooperation and humanitarian Aid
Swiss Humanitarian Aid's cooperation strategy for the 2017–20 period provides for a total budget of approximately CHF 54 million and focuses on the priority areas of water, food security and protection of the civilian population. In 2017, 2018 and 2019, Switzerland convened, together with Sweden and the UN, three high-level humanitarian donor conferences for Yemen in Geneva.
Swiss nationals in Yemen
At the end of 2018, eight Swiss citizens were living in Yemen.
History of bilateral relations
Prior to Yemen's unification in 1990, Switzerland had recognised both North Yemen (1948) and South Yemen (1967) and established diplomatic relations with both countries (in 1972 and 1973, respectively). Switzerland's interests in Yemen are currently represented by the Swiss Embassy in Muscat, Oman. The Swiss Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is responsible for consular matters. Yemen has an embassy in Switzerland (Geneva).
