Switzerland to end development aid programs for Bangladesh, Albania, Zambia

By  News On Air   Jan 31, 2025

The Swiss government is ending its development aid programmes for Bangladesh, Albania and Zambia. This decision comes after the Swiss parliament allocated less funding for foreign aid in December than the government had requested.

As per media reports, the Parliament cut 110 million Swiss Franc ($121 million) from the 2025 international cooperation budget and 321 million Swiss Franc from the financial plan 2026-2028, reports.

These reductions will affect bilateral, economic, and thematic cooperation, as well as multilateral organisations, according to an official statement.

On Wednesday, the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive body, was informed of the budget cuts. In response, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) will phase out its bilateral development programs in Albania, Bangladesh, and Zambia by the end of 2028.

According to the statement, between 2025 and 2028, additional reductions will be made to country and thematic programs and organizations. However, funding for humanitarian aid, peacebuilding, and assistance to Ukraine will remain unchanged.