Transparency and civil society engagement
Civil society is regularly informed and consulted on current issues relating to the negotiation and implementation of free trade agreements. Relevant information, concerns and proposals are raised and discussed in various forums and thematic meetings.
Transparency in free trade negotiations
Switzerland, together with the other EFTA states, is committed to strengthening transparency at every stage of free trade negotiations. This begins prior to the opening of negotiations, with publication of the EFTA states' negotiating objectives and a summary of their proposed texts. The EFTA Secretariat then publishes regular reports on each round of negotiations. Once negotiations are concluded, the EFTA states inform the public of the outcome through chapter-by-chapter fact sheets and make the agreement texts publicly available immediately after legal review is complete. During the implementation phase, the EFTA states provide regular updates on the content and outcomes of Joint Committee meetings. Further information is available on the EFTA website.
Stakeholder meetings
Foreign Trade Sounding Board
Sounding Board meetings keep participants informed of current issues in ongoing negotiations, the implementation of free trade agreements, and relevant WTO developments. These meetings are held twice a year and bring together representatives from academia, the political sphere, business associations and non-governmental organisations.
Other forums with civil society in which free trade agreements are discussed include the Economic Policy Commission and the Tripartite Commission for ILO Affairs.
Thematic meetings
Trade and Sustainability Roundtable
SECO and foraus – Swiss Forum on Foreign Policy hosted the second Trade And Sustainable Development Roundtable in Bern on 6 June 2023. The event brought together experts from academia, civil society, business and government to discuss the question: How can international trade policy promote sustainability? The key findings are set out in the downloads. A first roundtable was held on 23 June 2021 in collaboration with the World Trade Institute (WTI) and the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) at the University of Bern (see downloads).
Get involved
We welcome input from civil society on concerns and interests relating to free trade agreements and can be reached at any time at the address below.
Index
Related topics
Multilateral economic relations
Switzerland actively promotes an open, fair, and rules-based trading system, strengthening transparent trade rules and international cooperation through the WTO, the OECD, and new partnerships.
Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the WTO and EFTA
The Permanent Mission of Switzerland in Geneva represents Switzerland at the WTO, EFTA, UN economic bodies (UNECE and UNCTAD) and the ITC. It safeguards Swiss interests and fosters cooperation on global economic and trade issues.
Contact
Foreign Economic Affairs Directorate
World Trade / Free Trade Agreements/EFTA Division
Holzikofenweg 36
3003 Bern