International relations

International cooperation, including cooperation in matters of healthcare, is gaining importance in a globalised and increasingly interconnected world. Within the framework of the health foreign policy passed by the Federal Council the FOPH represents Switzerland’s diverse healthcare-related interests abroad, expertly and coherently. Find out here about how we cooperate with international organisations, the European Union and other States.

Swiss Health Foreign Policy

As the federal health authority, the FOPH is one of the addressees of the Federal Council's health foreign policy. This policy commits the federal protagonists to a consistent point of view for international purposes.

Global health issues

The FOPH works on various health issues requiring international coordination. Find out here about topics including the migration of medical personnel and international drugs policy.

Cooperation with the European Union (EU)

As Switzerland's main economic partner, the European Union is similarly a key interlocutor for matters relating to health. Cooperation takes place in both a formal and an informal context.

Bilateral relations

Through bilateral cooperation, public health matters can be handled at transnational level. Depending on the needs, the cooperation can take different forms, which may be more or less institutionalized.

Multilateral cooperation

As part of Switzerland’s foreign health policy the FOPH is actively involved in international organisations, where it represents this country’s interests. Find out here about multilateral cooperation on health-related issues within the World Health Organization, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Council of Europe.

#Swiss global health

Last modification 17.08.2018

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