Goal 6 of the 2030 Agenda applies to the water sector as a whole – an achievement due in large part to the political commitment shown by Switzerland.
Switzerland’s key concern becomes vital part of the 2030 Agenda
Back in September 2012, as the decision on the future development goals drew closer, the international water sector was still embroiled in a fruitless and technical debate and had overlooked the fact that as of 2016, the world would need a common uniform goal.
Global Programme Water Initiatives
The SDC’s Global Programme Water Initiatives provided the impetus for an interdepartmental team, which managed to formulate, within the space of two months, a water goal that reflected Switzerland’s new vision.
The Post-2015 Task Force, which was set up by the Federal Council, presented the proposal to the international community. In doing so, Switzerland became the first country to put forward a concrete goal for the water sector. By the end of 2013, more than 100 countries had signed up to the Swiss initiative. Then, on 25 September 2015, the heads of state and government leaders, who had gathered in New York, approved the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Goal 6 is essentially the water proposal put forward by Switzerland.
An international effort involving multiple partners
There are many factors that have contributed to this success. The first is targeted advocacy work and political lobbying. Here, the SDC was able to rely on an extensive network of experts as well as its long-standing experience in the water sector. One of its outstanding achievements was to knit political and technical considerations together. The second is a coordinated approach at international level. Through the FDFA and the entire federal administration, the Swiss missions in Geneva and New York as well as the Swiss diplomatic network, Switzerland was able to approach a large number of governments and international institutions directly and win them round.
The third is the commitment and contribution of all concerned, from country programme leaders in the South right up to the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. All tirelessly championed the goal and, in doing so, demonstrated that Switzerland is a country that speaks with one voice and achieves success through unity.
Swiss commitment to gender equality
Gender equality is a human right and a precondition for sustainable development, as progress will remain elusive in countries which leave half of their population behind.
Driven by this conviction, Switzerland committed itself to ensuring that gender equality features prominently in the 2030 Agenda. In Addis Ababa a few months before, Switzerland had also called for gender mainstreaming in development funding. Swiss negotiators are entitled to feel a certain amount of pride because the position they defended was adopted at both conferences. Goal 5 of the 2030 Agenda, which deals with gender equality, is testament to this success.
Another focal point of SDC efforts is strengthening the rights of women and girls in fragile contexts, guaranteeing them better access to resources, education and work, and facilitating their participation in political and decision-making processes.
SDC project: Promoting equal opportunities for women and men in Macedonia
Women play a key role in Chad’s economy, web article, 8 March 2016
