Coherent foreign policy in the digital space

In the foreword to the Digital Foreign Policy Strategy 2021–2024, which the Federal Council adopted on 4 November, Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, writes: "Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming part of our everyday lives and in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen that digital applications play a key role." This strategy is built on a clear premise: the world is constantly changing and needs a hub, in other words a space that brings together all states, businesses and citizens – all directly affected by the new challenges of digitalisation. International Geneva will be the hub for digital governance. The goal is to promote transparent debate, strengthen international law and encourage international cooperation in dealing with abuses and surveillance, while paying heed to public opinion, and to increase the benefits of new technologies.

Digital technologies, digitisation and the Internet create innumerable opportunities for Swiss foreign policy to strengthen the safeguarding of interests and to promote the needs of the international community. "Digitalisation is on the one hand an instrument, helping to simplify processes, for example in the area of consular services or IT. On the other, it is also a foreign policy matter," explains Cassis.

However, this same intelligence can also be abused to cause damage or serious harm, which is often underestimated. The digital space, via which a huge amount of private and confidential data is transmitted, is now the scene of cyberattacks that threaten not only the privacy of the individual but also reveal great vulnerabilities of states. On this basis, no country and no individual can claim to be able to protect themselves alone. The establishment of a system of global governance for the digital space is therefore essential.

Switzerland's Digital Foreign Policy Strategy 2021–2024 sets out the key principles that aim to guarantee an open, free and secure digital space. Additionally, this strategy is part of the broader structure of Switzerland's Foreign Policy Strategy for the next four years, which is implemented in a three-level cascading process. The Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–2023 sets out the broad outline and priorities, while geographic and thematic strategies guide Switzerland's activities in various priority regions and subject areas. Each strategy is approved by the Federal Council.

As such, the topic of digitalisation is a priority in the FDFA's overarching strategy. "The Federal Council attaches great importance to digitalisation and it will take on new significance in the 2019–2023 legislative programme," affirms Mr Cassis. "It will also play an increasingly important role in foreign policy. In Switzerland's Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–2023, it thus features as one of the thematic priorities for the first time."

Switzerland is increasingly engaging with new technologies in its efforts to achieve peace and security in the world, strengthen economic prosperity globally, and support the sustainable development goals set out in the 2030 Agenda. For example, digitalisation is now a recognised instrument to support humanitarian policy. In the event of crises or natural disasters, the analysis of big data and better networking of the actors involved allows missing persons to be found more quickly and the needs of victims to be identified in order to respond as effectively as possible. It affects all departments of the Federal Administration and one way or another fits into all the action plans being implemented by the federal government throughout the world. "It is in our interest to continue to pursue a coherent and effective foreign policy, including in the digital space," writes Cassis.

Drawing on this, the new Digital Foreign Policy Strategy sets out four fields of action:

Switzerland has an ambitious objective in terms of digitalisation. Thanks to its consensus culture and its tradition of good offices, it is positioning itself as a mediator in a new and difficult environment. Its institutions, neutrality and overall reputation allow it to build confidence. This is a significant asset for Switzerland, which seeks to play a leading role in the development of appropriate regulation for the digital space. As set out in the new Digital Foreign Policy Strategy: "In light of prevailing digital geopolitics, and a growing trend towards bloc-building, there is an increasing need for mediators. Switzerland can build on its key successes and proven track record in this regard." 

In this respect, Switzerland also cultivates its host state tradition. It intends to draw on the key role of International Geneva to become the global centre for digital governance. The city is particularly active in research into and promotion of digital technologies. Through the presence and reputation of various actors, it provides a space for dialogue where the multi-stakeholder principle fits perfectly with the federal government's basic policy.

In addition, Switzerland is one of the countries with the most start-ups in the field of artificial intelligence. "With its universities, other research facilities and innovative private companies, Switzerland offers a stable and favourable environment and is at the forefront in the development of digital applications and technologies."

Alongside Crypto Valley in the canton of Zug and the new Trust Valley in the Lake Geneva region, International Geneva has already played a major role in the development of the internet through collaboration with the Secretariat of the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and via CERN. It is also home to the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP), an organisation that promotes understanding and knowledge of new technologies. The new Digital Foreign Policy Strategy therefore provides a ready framework to place Geneva and Switzerland even more at the heart of global digital policy issues.