Federal Council adopts security policy objectives
Bern, 24.11.2021 - The world has become less safe in recent years. There is a renewed focus on power politics, and growing international tensions and instability. In its new security policy report, the Federal Council analyses these developments and sets out how it intends to address this harsher environment. The report, which was adopted by the Federal Council on 24 November 2021, sets out nine objectives for Switzerland's security policy in the coming years, including measures to enhance protection against cyber threats and disinformation, and strengthen resilience, security of supply and international cooperation.
International developments continue apace with a high degree of uncertainty. This also applies to the security situation and the specific threats and risks this poses to Switzerland. The tone in international security policy has become harsher, and the pursuit and enforcement of power-political interests even more pronounced. Armed conflicts and crises on Europe’s periphery continue and have intensified in some cases. The use of hybrid conflict tactics has become more prevalent, including cyberattacks, disinformation and influence operations. But conventional military means are also being used more aggressively to pursue national interests. The rapid advance of digitalisation and networking has many advantages, but it has also increased the vulnerability of states, economies and societies. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent as a result of climate change, while the COVID-19 pandemic high-lighted in dramatic fashion the dangers posed by pandemics.
Nine objectives of Swiss security policy
Switzerland must adapt its security policy to take account of this changing environment. Fol-lowing a comprehensive analysis of trends in global security policy and specific threats and risks, the Federal Council's latest security policy report sets out how Switzerland intends to respond to these developments and ensure the country’s security and protect its population. To this end, the report defines security policy interests and objectives and explains how these are to be implemented. It defines nine priority security policy objectives that will be pursued as a priority in the coming years:
1) further strengthen the early detection of threats, dangers and crises so as to identify threats to Switzerland as early as possible in today’s increasingly volatile situation;
2) strengthen international cooperation, security and stability, by advocating for a rules-based international order and contributing to efforts to promote stability and security with civilian and military means with neighbouring countries and organisations;
3) focus more closely on combating the hybrid conduct of conflict in order to increase the protection and resilience of the state, economy and society against phenomena such as cyber attacks and disinformation, and in particular to align the armed forces' resources across the entire spectrum of threats;
4) allow the free formation of opinion and unadulterated information, so that public and political debate in Switzerland can take place freely and transparently, based on facts and without disinformation, attempts at influence or propaganda from abroad;
5) strengthen protection against cyberthreats in order to further improve Switzerland's overall resilience to cyber risks, while taking advantage of both the risks and opportunities of digitalisation and new technologies;
6) prevent terrorism, violent extremism, organised and other transnational crime, to ensure that terrorist, violent extremist or serious criminal groups cannot establish themselves on Swiss territory;
7) strengthen resilience and security of supply in the event of international crises, so that Switzerland can maintain its ability to function and act even in the event of prolonged supply disruptions;
8) improve protection against disasters and emergencies and the ability to regenerate, in order to strengthen the means of preventing and managing such hazards in the face of increasing risks (e.g. from climate change);
9) strengthen cooperation between authorities and crisis management, so that, in view of cur-rent volatilities and the linkage of threats and risks, cooperation between all stakeholders can be further improved, both in normal situations and in crises.
Security policy as a joint task
For each of the nine objectives, the report lists specific measures to be implemented in the coming years. Security policy in Switzerland is a joint task. In order to achieve these objectives, close cooperation is needed across a range of political areas (foreign policy, economic policy, information and communication services) and individual security policy instruments and the organisations involved (armed forces, civil protection, intelligence service, police, customs administration, civilian service). The report describes what role each of the partner organisations in this integrated system can and must play in ensuring Switzerland's security.
In line with the principle of cooperation among partner organisations, the cantons were closely involved in preparing this report, as they were with previous editions. This approach reflects the fact that in Switzerland security policy is understood in a comprehensive sense for which the broadest possible support is sought.
The present security policy report is considerably shorter than previous editions. The Federal Council also intends to publish such reports at more frequent intervals in future, namely once per legislature period. It intends to conduct more regular security policy assessments and, if necessary, initiate course corrections to take account of rapid developments.
The Security Policy Report will now be submitted to Parliament.
Consultation reveals broad approval
A consultation on the draft report took place between April and August of this year. It showed that the report has been well received, particularly with regard to the situation analysis and the definition of the main principles, interests and objectives of Swiss security policy. Respondents also welcomed the shortening of the report and plans to publish such reports more frequently in future. The majority of respondents expressed only isolated criticisms relating to specific topics. The most common criticism concerned the federal government's crisis management, with many cantons and organisations calling for further-reaching measures.
In view of the broad support for the report, only a limited number of specific changes were made.
Address for enquiries
Carolina Bohren
DDPS Spokesperson
+41 58 467 00 24
Publisher
The Federal Council
https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html
General Secretariat DDPS
https://www.vbs.admin.ch/
Defence
http://www.vtg.admin.ch
Federal intelligence service
http://www.ndb.admin.ch
Swiss Security Network
https://www.svs.admin.ch/
