A/HRC/45/15/Add.1 global sustainable development); and the added value the State’s international cooperation can offer (for example in terms of expertise, competencies and innovation). 19. At the time of the visit, maximum funding of SwF 11.25 billion had been planned for the 2021–2024 period (compared to SwF 11.11 billion for the 2017–2020 period). The relevant funding is determined by the parliament during the annual budget debates. The latest projections, suggested that the State’s official development assistance would amount to 0.46 per cent of gross national income. This is below the 0.5 per cent target that was approved by the parliament in 2011 and below the 0.7 per cent target set in the 2030 Agenda. The parliament was to debate the 2021–2024 international cooperation strategy in the summer and autumn sessions of 2020. 20. The Special Rapporteur is concerned about the stagnation of official development assistance for the period 2021–2024, and at the fact that the costs of assistance provided to asylum seekers within the country is included is this number, which further reduces the actual amount of funds going to developing countries to about 0.4 per cent of the gross national income.6 21. Looking at the international dimension of the right to development, the Special Rapporteur notes that the international cooperation approach taken by Switzerland has long enjoyed an excellent reputation, since it has always been oriented towards assisting the poorest populations in the poorest countries, has alleviated much suffering and has brought about positive changes in societies in which it has engaged. The 1976 federal law on international development cooperation and humanitarian aid includes combating poverty as its main objective, and the law has been implemented with long-term commitment and impartiality. Given this background, he was concerned to learn that the draft international cooperation strategy for 2021–2024 includes a proposal for explicit criteria for deploying any action undertaken in relation to humanitarian aid, development cooperation, peacebuilding and human security: the need to address the long-term interests of Switzerland (see para. 18 above). This emphasis on the long-term interests of Switzerland has raised a number of concerns among civil society, since it appears to be in contrast with the previous approach, and has the potential to weaken the State’s commitments under the 2030 Agenda, among others. 22. The Special Rapporteur was encouraged to learn that Switzerland operated a generalized system of preferences for developing countries, meaning that the agricultural products of those countries can be imported at a lower rate of duty. Goods from least developed countries can be imported duty-free. However, only 1 per cent of the country’s imports originate from such countries. Generalized systems of trade preferences are not enough in themselves to encourage imports from least developed countries. In particular, it is difficult for small-scale producers to obtain the necessary certificate of origin. Switzerland reported that it was seeking to further simplify the use of generalized systems of trade preferences. 23. During his visit, the Special Rapporteur met with civil society organizations working on issues relating to international cooperation, who raised various concerns. One of the topics discussed was that, despite recommendations made by United Nations treaty bodies and special procedure mandate holders,7 Switzerland did not carry out human rights impact assessments of trade and investment agreements. 24. Another issue raised was that the sustainable development chapter in free trade agreements between Switzerland and other countries was often limited and in scope and did not touch upon human rights in general, but only labour rights. Further, the sustainable development chapter of the agreements does not provide for sanctions for any violations. 6 7 During the past several years, the percentage of official development assistance was as follows: 0.46 per cent in 2013; 0.49 per cent in 2014; 0.51 per cent in 2015; 0.53 per cent in 2016; 0.47 per cent in 2017; 0.44 per cent in 2018; and 0.44 per cent in 2019. Information provided by Switzerland. See, most recently, E/C.12/CHE/CO/4, paras. 14–15 and A/HRC/37/54/Add.3, para. 38. 5