Switzerland to Continue Key Cooperation with Bangladesh

Ambassador Dominik Stillhart, Deputy Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Head of Switzerland’s Humanitarian Aid Division, reaffirmed Switzerland's commitment to continuing its collaboration with Bangladesh on key humanitarian issues, including the Rohingya refugee crisis, climate change mitigation, and migration, during his visit to Bangladesh on Tuesday.

During his meeting with senior Bangladeshi officials, Ambassador Stillhart highlighted the Swiss Parliament’s approval of the International Cooperation Strategy 2025-2028, which will result in significant budget reductions. Consequently, he shared that the ongoing bilateral development cooperation between the two countries would be gradually phased out by the end of 2028.

Despite the budget cuts, Switzerland remains steadfast in its support for Bangladesh as the country undergoes a socio-economic transition. Ambassador Stillhart emphasized that Switzerland's focus will shift towards deepening diplomatic and economic ties with Bangladesh in the years ahead.

Ambassador Stillhart, along with Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Renggli, met with key Bangladeshi officials, including Lutfey Siddiqi, Chief Adviser’s Envoy on International Affairs, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, High Representative on Rohingya Issues, and Lamiya Morshed, Principal Coordinator for SDG Affairs.

Reiterating Switzerland's unwavering commitment, Ambassador Stillhart underscored the importance of continuing global attention on the Rohingya crisis. He stressed the need for sustainable solutions to enhance educational and livelihood opportunities for the Rohingya population, as the crisis continues to evolve.