G/AG/N/CHE/76  
24 June 2016 
(16-3426) Page: 1/11 
Committee on Agriculture  Original:  French  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
The following submission, dated 9 June 2 016, is being circulated at the request of  the delegation 
of Switzerland . The notification concerns actions taken within the framework of  the Decision on 
Measures Concerning the Possible Negative Effects  of the Reform Programme on  Least -Developed 
and Net Food -Importing Developing Countries (Table  NF:1)  for the calendar years 2012 , 2013  
and 2014 . 
 
_______________  
 
 
In accordance with the notification requirements within the framework of the Decision on  Measures 
Concerning the Possible Negative Effects of the Reform Programme on  Least -Developed and Net 
Food-Importing Countries (Table NF:1) , the following provides details of Switzerland's 
programmes in favour of such countries . G/AG/N/CHE/76  
- 2 - 
  Table NF:1  
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 16:2 OF THE AGREEMENT:  MONITORING OF THE 
FOLLOW -UP TO THE DECISION ON  MEASURES CONCERNING THE POSSIBLE  
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF  THE REFORM PROGRAMME ON LEAST -DEVELOPED  
AND NET  FOOD -IMPORTING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: SWITZERLAND  
REPORTING PERIOD: CALENDAR  YEAR 2012  
1  QUANTITY OF FOOD AID PROVIDED TO LEAST -DEVELOPED AND NET FOOD -IMPORTING 
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES  
With the  expiry  of the  Food Aid Convention on 30 June 2 012 and the entry into effect  of the  Food 
Assistance Convention on 1 January 2 013, Switzerland renewed its commitment to providing food 
assistance . The country  took advantage of this  transition  to a new  convention to change  its related 
statistical system . As a result , information  on the quantity of food aid provided by Switzerland will, 
as of 2013, be presented  by calendar year rather than  by crop year . 
 
The total quantity of food aid provided by Switzerland by country up to and including 3 0 June 2 012 
was notified in document G/AG/N/CHE/64 ; this information has not therefore been restated  in this 
notification . Given the  above -mentioned change of statistical system , detailed information on the  
quantity of food aid provided by Switzerland in the second half of  2012 is not available . 
 
However , there was no significant change during this period as regards t he total amount  of cash 
contributions  to the  World Food Programme (WFP) or in-kind contributions  in the form of dairy 
products of Swiss origin . 
 
2  INDICATION OF THE PROPORTION IN FULLY GRANT FORM OR APPROPRIATE 
CONCESSIONAL TERMS  
All Swiss food aid is provid ed on fully grant terms.  
 
3  TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANC E UNDER PARAGRAPH 3(III) OF THE  DECISION  
Switzerland's official development assistance (ODA) includes all the financial flows  - provided in 
the form of grants or on concessional terms  - from the Sw iss Confederation, cantons and 
communes to developing countries and international instit utions active in the field of development . 
 
The key objectives of the Swiss law on international cooperation are as follows:  
 
 To support the efforts of developing count ries to improve the standard of living of their people;  
 to help to put these countries in a position to ensure their development by their own means.  
It seeks to achieve a better balance within the international community in the long term . Poverty  
alleviati on is the absolute priority of Swiss development policy, which is in line with Swiss  foreign 
policy goals . Development cooperation activities and resources have  three priority objectives : 
(i) to reduce poverty, by supporting partner countries in their effo rts to achieve the  Millennium 
Development Goals (MDGs) ; (ii) to promote human security and redu ce security risks, by making 
an active contribution to preventing and mitigating the consequences of  local and  regional crises ; 
and (iii) to co-shape a form of g lobalization that promotes development, by making a contribution 
to the political and economic development of poor countries . 
 
Two federal offices are responsible for planning and implementing the international cooperation 
activities of the Swiss Confedera tion: the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) 
under the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), and the Economic Cooperation and 
Development Division of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) under the Federal 
Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA) . These federal offices are responsible for the 
implementation of technical and financial cooperation, humanitarian aid, and economic and trade 
policy measures, respectively.  G/AG/N/CHE/76  
- 3 - 
  The work of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperati on covers four main areas : regional 
cooperation, global cooperation mainly at multilateral level, humanitarian aid, and cooperation 
with Eastern countries . As part of long -term cooperation with its par tners, the SDC  concentrates 
its bilateral activities in  16 countries of the South (12 priority countries and regions by 2012) , 
in particular least-developed countries  (LDCs) and net food -importing developing countries  
(NFIDCs ), and carries out special programmes in seven countries and regions.  
Humanitarian aid  is provided without geographical restrictions . It is allocated  directly for shorter 
periods so as to provide relief for the victims of conflicts and of the resulting crises and of natural 
disasters . Such aid  also supports the activities of humanitarian or ganizations . Action takes the 
form of  the provision of staff through the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA), financial  
contributions and food aid . 
 
The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs devises the economic and trade measures for 
development cooperatio n: the promotion of basic infrastructure in the energy, water treatment 
and land registry sectors ; macroeconomic assistance, budgetary support, debt relief and 
management measures ; trade promotion activities, development of  environmental technologies 
and a commitment to international organizations in respect of commodities ; and promotion of the 
private sector through improved access to finance and strengthening of the framework conditions 
necessary to boost investment . 
 
 G/AG/N/CHE/76  
- 4 - 
  Table NF:1  
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTIC LE 16:2 OF THE AGREEMENT:  MONITORING OF THE 
FOLLOW -UP TO THE DECISION ON  MEASURES CONCERNING THE POSSIBLE  
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF  THE REFORM PROGRAMME ON LEAST -DEVELOPED  
AND NET  FOOD -IMPORTING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: SWITZERLAND  
REPORTING PERIOD: CALENDAR YEAR  2013 
1  QUANTITY OF FOOD AID PROVIDED TO LEAST -DEVELOPED AND NET FOOD -IMPORTING 
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES  
Switzerland has been a contracting party to the Food Assistance Convention since 2013 . Swiss 
food assistance consists  of cash contributions and deliveries of  dairy products of Swiss origin . 
The provision of food assistance in emergency and chronic  situations is one of the decisive ways in 
which Switzerland's humanitarian  mandate to save human lives  and alleviate  suffering  is being 
implemented . By addressing  world food security challenges, Switzerland demonstrates a  global 
perspective that is in keeping  with the Zero Hunger Challenge of the Secretary -General of the 
United Nations and the double food security strategy . Food assistance  is compl emented  by 
Switzerla nd's global advocacy efforts  and its commitment to tackling  the root  causes of hunger, for 
example through  support to agricultural research, promotion of small -scale farmers and reduction 
of post -harvest losses.  
In the area of food assistance, Switzerland  works in close partnership with international 
organizations, in particular the World Food Programme (WFP) . Of all the UN programmes 
and funds, the WFP receives the largest amount of Swiss humanitarian aid . The 2008 global  food 
crisis prompted  Switzerland to significantly increase  its contributions to the WFP, from 
approximately CHF 50  million  in 2008 to CHF 79 million  in 2013.  
In-kind contributions consist  of deliveries of dairy products of Swiss origin . These are distributed in 
order to supplement diet , notably in the framework of  school food projects  and in healthcare 
facilities . The aim is to  improve nutrition in emergency situations and cases of  severe  malnutrition . 
Deliveries of dairy products of Swiss origin therefore help to prevent the mental and phy sical harm 
caused by malnutrition . For the period 2013 to 2016, the Swiss Parliament approved a credit 
of CHF 20  million  per year for the purchase of Swiss dairy products in kind for the most vulnerable 
populations . Swiss donations of dairy products are di stributed by Swiss NGOs and the World Food 
Programme, for example in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Sudan . A programme 
review is currently underway.  
Food aid is not allocated on the basis of the criteria of "least -developed countries" (LDCs)  or 
"net food-importing developing countries" (NFIDCs) . Swiss funds for food assistance operations 
are instead allocated in accordance with the following criteria : needs (populations affected , 
urgency and lack of funds), potential synergies with other Swiss programmes, or the presence 
of a Swiss cooperation office . 
2  INDICATION OF THE PROPORTION IN FULLY GRANT FORM OR APPROPRIATE 
CONCESSIONAL TERMS  
All Swiss food aid is provided on fully grant terms.  
3  TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER PARAGRAPH 3(III) O F THE DECISION  
3.1  Switzerland's o fficial development assistance (ODA)  
The overall aim of Swiss international cooperation is to foster global sustainable development with a 
view to reduc ing poverty and global risks . Through  its development aid , Switzerland supports the work 
of developing countries with a view to  improv ing the standard of living of their people , strengthening 
their capacity  to assume greater responsibility and ensur ing their development by their own means.  G/AG/N/CHE/76  
- 5 - 
  Switzerland's official development assi stance (ODA) amounted to CHF 2.96  billion  in 2013 and saw  
an average annual increase of 3% over the period 2011 -2013. A number of federal departments , 
cantons and communes are involved in funding Swiss ODA , while two federal offices are 
responsible for pla nning and implementing international cooperation activities : the Swiss Agency 
for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Economic Cooperation and Development Division 
of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) . The SDC is responsible for human itarian aid 
and, in concert with the SECO, for cooperation with the South as well as with Eastern  Europe 
and CIS countries . 
3.2  Technical and financial assistance to developing countries  
The SDC is responsible for the general  coordination of technical and fina ncial assistance to 
countries and regions of the South , namely  the majority of  low-income countries . The SDC 
organizes  more than 800 development cooperation programmes and projects  covering  nine subject 
areas . It tailors priorities to the requirements of its 20 partner countries and regions in the South . 
With a view to attaining  sustainable development , the SDC's work is underpinned by  gender 
equality  and good governance . The SDC's  development cooperation  is twofold : (i) bilateral 
cooperation  with priority countries and regions , i.e. S tate bodies, civil society, private -sector 
players and research institutions ; and (ii) multilateral cooperation with UN agencies , international 
financial institutions  and global networks and funds . 
The SECO implements  the econo mic and trade policy measures related  to development 
cooperation  with middle -income countries in particula r. Its main priority  is to support sustainable 
economic, ecological  and social growth , which  helps to reduce  poverty and inequality . Economic 
developm ent is based on coope ration with specialized international organizations . 
3.3  Cooperation with countries in transition  
Through cooperation  with the former  socialist states in the Western Balkans , the South Caucasus 
and Central Asia , the SDC and SECO both lend their support  to a sustainable transition towards 
democracy  and the market economy . They contribute to the political and economic reform 
processes in the fields of public administration and services , healthcare , water and energy supply , 
vocational training  geared towards  the labour market , and promotion of the private sector . 
3.4  Humanitarian aid and emergency assistance by the SDC  
The SDC's humanitarian aid operations constitute  an expression of solidarity by Switzerland 
towards groups of people in distress an d are not subject to any geographic restrictions . The SDC 
works  to protect the interests of  vulnerable population groups before , during and after period s of 
confli ct, crisis or natural  disaster . Preventive and awareness -raising measures also play a key rol e 
in this respect . 
Swiss emergency assistance takes a number of forms : the mobilization of specialists from the 
Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) and other crisis units ; the distribution of food aid through  
Swiss relief agencies and the  World Food Programm e (WFP) ; and the granting of financial support  
to International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) activities and UN humanitarian organizations . 
The SDC also supports  non-governmental humanitarian organizations  working in the field . 
 G/AG/N/CHE/76  
- 6 - 
  Table 1 - Funds alloca ted to LDCs and  NFIDCs for food and nutrition assistance  (in CHF)  
Country  In cash1,2 In kind  Total2 
Afghanistan  992,064  0 992,064  
Algeria  510,920  1,839,749  2,350,669  
Angola  0 58,630  58,630  
Benin  1,004,320  92,803  1,097,123  
Bolivia, Plurinational State of  0 106,264  106,264  
Burkina Faso  2,862,311  1,004,446  3,866,757  
Burundi  500,000  508,395  1,008,395  
Cameroon  0 63,960  63,960  
Central African Republic  742,064  0 742,064  
Chad 1,005,985  194,005  1,199,990  
Colombia  1,195,639  0 1,195,639  
Congo, Democratic  Republic of the  734,632  153,395  888,027  
Côte d'Ivoire  250,000  0 250,000  
Djibouti  250,000  0 250,000  
Ethiopia  992,064  0 992,064  
Guinea  0 14,703  14,703  
Haiti 1,748,192  729,978  2,478,170  
Indonesia  0 346,923  346,923  
Kenya  1,000,000  0 1,000,000  
Lebanon  0 23,483  23,483  
Liberia  771,869  0 771,869  
Madagascar  649,998  816,453  1,466,451  
Malawi  500,000  0 500,000  
Mali 4,686,797  113,225  4,800,022  
Moldova, Republic of  0 80,733  80,733  
Mozambique  598,234  0 598,234  
Myanmar  2,385,714  0 2,385,714  
Nicaragua  14,257 1,072,086  1,086,343  
Niger  6,539,553  0 6,539,553  
North Korea  613,557  6,587,678  7,201,235  
Occupied Palestinian territories  992,064  0 992,064  
Office for the Middle East and Eastern Europe  2,320,410  0 2,320,410  
Pakistan  1,643,650  0 1,643,650  
Philippi nes 717,751  0 717,751  
Romania  0 117,795  117,795  
Rwanda  3,290,000  114,978  3,404,978  
Senegal  0 91,021  91,021  
Sierra Leone  250,000  0 250,000  
Somalia  1,492,063  0 1,492,063  
South Africa  0 93,243  93,243  
South Sudan  2,595,650  153,819  2,749,468  G/AG/N/CHE/76  
- 7 - 
  Country  In cash1,2 In kind  Total2 
Sri Lanka  0 86,661  86,661  
Sudan  -219,1122 4,685,485  4,466,374  
Syrian Arab Republic  2,512,680  0 2,512,680  
Tanzania  0 19,436  19,436  
Togo 0 237,093  237,093  
Yemen  1,984,127  0 1,984,127  
Zambia  0 148,545  148,545  
Zimbabwe  3,997,086  367,256  4,364,342  
Other  0 77,754  77,754  
Total2 52,124,535  19,999,996  72,124,530  
Source : World Food Programme (WFP) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)/10.01.2016.  
1 Figures converted  from US dollars  into Swiss francs  on the basis of the average exchange rate for 2013 
according to the IMF (US$1  = CHF 0.93 ). 
2 In the context of certain  projects, in-kind food aid is not paid in the same year as it is  provided  and the 
calculation of in-cash food aid may therefore give rise to negative figures . This method  does, however, ensure 
that payment s are not  recorded  more than once . 
 
 G/AG/N/CHE/76  
- 8 - 
  Table NF:1  
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 16:2 OF THE AGREEMENT:  MONITORING OF THE 
FOLLOW -UP TO THE DECISION ON  MEASURES CONCERNING THE POSSIBLE  
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF  THE REFORM PROGRAMME ON LEAST -DEVELOPED   
AND NET  FOOD -IMPORTING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: SWITZERLAND  
REPORTING PERIOD: CALENDAR YEAR 2014  
1  QUANTITY OF FOOD AID PROVIDED TO LEAST -DEVELOPED AND NET FOOD -IMPORTING 
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES  
Switzerland has been a contracting party to the Food Assistance Con vention since 2013 . Swiss 
food assistance consists of cash contributions and deliveries of dairy products of Swiss origin.  
 
The provision of food assistance in emergency and chronic situations is one of the decisive ways in 
which Switzerland's humanitarian  mandate to save human lives and alleviate suffering is being 
implemented . By addressing world food security challenges, Switzerland demonstrates a global 
perspective that is in keeping with the Zero Hunger Challenge of the Secretary -General 
of the United Nations and the double food security strategy . Food assistance is complemented by 
Switzerland's global advocacy efforts and its commitment to tackling the root causes of hunger, 
for example through support to agricultural research, promotion of small -scale farmers and 
reduction of post -harvest losses.  
 
In the area of food assistance, Switzerland works in close partnership with international 
organizations, in particular the World Food Programme (WFP) . Of all the UN programmes 
and funds, the WFP receives the largest amount of Swiss humanitarian aid . The 2008 global 
food crisis prompted Switzerland to significantly increase its contributions to the WFP, from 
approximately CHF 50  million  in 2008 to CHF 82  million  in 2014.  
 
In-kind contributions consist of delive ries of dairy products of Swiss origin . These are distributed in 
order to supplement diet, notably in the framework of school food projects and in healthcare 
facilities . The aim is to improve nutrition in emergency situations and cases of severe malnutriti on. 
Deliveries of dairy products of Swiss origin therefore help to prevent the mental and physical harm 
caused by malnutrition . For the period 2013 to 2016, the Swiss Parliament approved a credit 
of CHF 20  million  per year for the purchase of Swiss dairy p roducts in kind for the most vulnerable 
populations . Swiss donations of dairy products are distributed by Swiss NGOs and the World Food 
Programme, for example in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Sudan . A programme 
review is currently underway.  
 
Food aid is not allocated on the basis of the criteria of "least -developed countries" (LDCs) or 
"net food-importing developing countries" (NFIDCs) . Swiss funds for food assistance operations 
are instead allocated in accordance with the following criteria : needs (populations affected, 
urgency and lack of funds), potential synergies with other Swiss programmes, or the presence of a 
Swiss cooperation office . 
 
2  INDICATION OF THE PROPORTION IN FULLY GRANT FORM OR APPROPRIATE 
CONCESSIONAL TERMS  
All Swiss food ai d is provided on fully grant terms.  
 
3  TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER PARAGRAPH 3(III) OF THE DECISION  
3.1  Switzerland's official development assistance (ODA)  
The overall aim of Swiss international cooperation is to foster global sustainable developmen t with a 
view to reducing poverty and global risks . Through its development aid, Switzerland supports the work 
of developing countries with a view to improving the standard of living of their people, strengthening 
their capacity to assume greater responsib ility and ensuring their development by their own means.  G/AG/N/CHE/76  
- 9 - 
  Switzerland's official development assistance (ODA) amounted to CHF 3.22 billion  in 201 4 and saw 
an average annual increase of 4% over the period 201 2-2014. A number of federal departments, 
cantons a nd communes are involved in funding Swiss ODA , while two federal offices are 
responsible for planning and implementing international cooperation activities : the Swiss Agency 
for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Economic Cooperation and Development  Division 
of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) . The SDC is responsible for humanitarian aid 
and, in concert with the SECO, for cooperation with the South as well as with Eastern Europe 
and CIS countries.  
 
3.2  Technical and financial assistance to developing countries  
The SDC is responsible for the general coordination of technical and financial assistance to 
countries and regions of the South, namely the majority of low -income countries . The SDC 
organizes more than 800 development cooperation pr ogrammes and projects covering nine subject 
areas . It tailors priorities to the requirements of its 20 partner countries and regions in the South . 
With a view to attaining sustainable development, the SDC's work is underpinned by gender 
equality and good g overnance . The SDC's development cooperation is twofold : (i) bilateral 
cooperation with priority countries and regions, i.e. S tate bodies, civil society, private -sector 
players and research institutions ; and (ii)  multilateral cooperation with UN agencies , international 
financial institutions and global networks and funds . 
 
The SECO implements the economic and trade policy measures related to development 
cooperation with middle -income countries in particular . Its main priority is to support sustainable 
econo mic, ecological and social growth, which helps to reduce poverty and inequality . Economic 
development is based on cooperation with specialized international organizations.  
 
3.3  Cooperation with countries in transition  
Through cooperation with the former social ist states in the Western Balkans, the South Caucasus 
and Central Asia, the SDC and SECO both lend their support to a sustainable transition towards 
democracy and the market economy . They contribute to the political and economic reform 
processes in the fie lds of public administration and services , healthcare, water and energy supply, 
vocational training geared towards the labour market, and promotion of the private sector.  
 
3.4  Humanitarian aid and emergency assistance by the SDC  
The SDC's humanitarian aid oper ations constitute an expression of solidarity by Switzerland 
towards groups of people in distress and are not subject to any geographic restrictions . The SDC 
works to protect the interests of vulnerable population groups before, during and after periods of  
conflict, crisis or natural disaster . Preventive and awareness -raising measures also play a key role 
in this respect . 
 
Swiss emergency assistance takes a number of forms : the mobilization of specialists from the 
Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) and other  crisis units ; the distribution of food aid through 
Swiss relief agencies and the World Food Programme (WFP) ; and the granting of financial support 
to International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) activities and UN humanitarian organizations . 
The SDC als o supports non -governmental humanitarian organizations working in the field.  G/AG/N/CHE/76  
- 10 - 
  Table 1 - Funds allocated to LDCs and NFIDCs for food and nutrition assistance (in CHF)  
Country  In cash1,2 In kind  Total2 
Afghanistan  1,658,042  0 1,658,042  
Algeria  544,434  3,097,815  3,642,249  
Bolivia, Plurinational State of  259,440  105,515  364,955  
Burkina Faso  0 779,833  779,833  
Burundi  281,227  748,738  1,029,966  
Cabo Verde  0 76,366  76,366  
Cameroon  513,966  69,855  583,822  
Central African Republic  1,019,955  0 1,019,955  
Chad 1,916,164  197,114  2,113,278  
Colombia  1,225,542  0 1,225,542  
Congo, Democratic Republic of the  1,084,996  0 1,084,996  
Côte d'Ivoire  0 634,249  634,249  
Cuba 0 607,683  607,683  
Ethiopia  2,416,052  0 2,416,052  
Guinea  0 15,510  15,510  
Haiti 1,223,947  692,709  1,916,656  
Indonesia  0 364,763  364,763  
Kenya  1,028,809  665,655  1,694,463  
Lebanon  0 100,600  100,600  
Liberia  539,818  0 539,818  
Madagascar  1,500,629  1,088,526  2,589,155  
Mali 1,866,224  118,638  1,984,862  
Myanmar  2,549,889  0 2,549,889  
Nicaragua  28,298  878,219  906,516  
Niger  356,985  0 356,985  
North Korea  372,048  3,453,871  3,825,919  
Occupied Palestinian territories  1,985,379  0 1,985,379  
Office for Latin America and the Caribbean  239,334  0 239,334  
Office for the Middle East and Eastern Europe  1,906,736  0 1,906,736  
Office for West Africa  7,051,377  0 7,051,377  
Pakistan  512,371  0 512,371  
Romania  0 104,682  104,682  
Rwanda  1,998,389  0 1,998,389  
Senegal  0 91,499  91,499  
Sierra Leone  325,090  0 325,090  
Somalia  509,978  0 509,978  
South Africa  0 95,477  95,477  
South Sudan  3,271,939  169,285  3,441,224  
Sri Lanka  0 68,172  68,172  
Sudan  2,319,769  5,198,718  7,518,487  
Syrian Arab Republic  6,828,666  0 6,828,666  G/AG/N/CHE/76  
- 11 - 
  Country  In cash1,2 In kind  Total2 
Tanzania  0 64,684  64,684  
Togo 0 183,622  183,622  
Ukraine  957,336  199,674  1,157,010  
Yemen  1,533,922  0 1,533,922  
Zimbabwe  1,019,955  128,486  1,148,441  
Total2 50,846,708  19,999,959  70,846,667  
Source : World Food Programme (WFP) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)/10.01.2016.  
1 Figures converted from US dollars into Swiss francs on the basis of the average exchange rate for 2014 
according to the IMF (US$1  = CHF 0.92). 
2 In the context of certain projects, in -kind food aid is not paid in the same year as it is provided and the 
calculation of in-cash food aid may therefore give rise to negative figures . This method does, however, ensure 
that payments are not recorded more than once . 
 
__________