Switzerland’s priorities at the UN’s 71st General Assembly

07.09.2016 — Press releases EDA
Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, President of the Swiss Confederation, will set out Switzerland’s priorities in relation to the UN for the coming year on 20 September at the opening of the UN’s 71st General Assembly. He will also take part in various events and meet with heads of state and government. During this ministerial week in New York, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will also represent Switzerland at various events, focusing in particular on international security, and will conduct bilateral talks. Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga will also take part in the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants to be held on the eve of the opening of the General Assembly.

Switzerland to send fifth aid consignment to the conflict zone in Ukraine

01.09.2016 — Press releases EDA
Swiss Humanitarian Aid is preparing a further consignment of aid supplies needed by the population on both sides of the contact line in eastern Ukraine. This time it will transport 3,500 tonnes of quartz sand to the region for filtering water. The sand will be transported by train and leave western Ukraine at the weekend. It will be handed over in Donetsk a week later.

Didier Burkhalter takes part in the filming of a documentary on child soldiers

24.08.2016 — Article EDA

Bern, 24 August 2016 – The head of the FDFA takes part in the filming of a documentary on child soldiers. Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to the protection of children recruited into armed groups in conflicts.

Ambassadors and International Network Conference in the presence of Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni

22.08.2016 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter opened this year’s Ambassadors and International Network Conference on Monday 22 August 2016. The four-day conference has as its theme ‘Switzerland – stakeholder and beneficiary of the multilateral system’ and this year is being held in Geneva’s Palais des Nations, the highly symbolic building opened in 1936 to house the League of Nations. International Geneva is the European heart of multilateral diplomacy while also serving as a platform for Swiss foreign policy. The choice of venue for this year’s conference emphasises Switzerland’s role as a host country and an active and innovative member of the UN. Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Paolo Gentiloni attended the conference as guest speaker. On Tuesday, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, and other members of the Federal Council will also address the ambassadors in a series of presentations and seminars.

Horn of Africa: two SDC humanitarian workers tell us about their work

19.08.2016 — Article DEZA

The international community celebrates World Humanitarian Day on 19 August. To mark the occasion, the SDC pays tribute to its own humanitarian workers. Natacha Pugin and Abdi Kunow work day in day out providing food assistance in the Horn of Africa.

Supporting independent cinema in Myanmar

04.08.2016 — Article DEZA

Director Maung Okkar and producer May Zin Myo, both from Myanmar, will be newcomers at the Open Doors section of the Locarno Festival, which is backed by the SDC. This is a chance of a lifetime to meet international professionals from the film world and contribute to the development of contemporary cinema in Myanmar, a country undergoing a transition to democracy.

Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard welcomes Solar Impulse in Abu Dhabi

26.07.2016 — Press releases EDA
On Tuesday 26 July, Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard welcomed the solar-powered plane Solar Impulse as it completed its round-the-world flight in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). She also congratulated the initiators and pilots Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg on behalf of the Federal Council. On the occasion of the celebrations, Ms Leuthard also held bilateral talks with two ministers of the UAE.

Switzerland steps up its humanitarian commitment to the people fleeing the fighting in Iraq

20.07.2016 — Press releases EDA
A conference of donor countries was held today in Washington to mobilise funds to ensure better humanitarian support for the tens of thousands of internally displaced persons fleeing the fighting that has been ravaging Iraq since May. Switzerland has decided to allocate an additional CHF 1 million, increasing its commitment to CHF 10 million for 2016.

Switzerland presents initial steps towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

19.07.2016 — Press releases EDA
New York, 19 July 2016: at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at the United Nations in New York, Manuel Sager, the director-general of the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), presented Switzerland's initial steps towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Switzerland donates ambulances to Syria's suffering population

18.07.2016 — Press releases EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has delivered twelve new ambulances to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). A Swiss delegation accompanied the delivery in the Syrian capital Damascus. The ambulances are urgently needed in Syria because the country's health system has too few ambulances to cope with the enormous number of victims caused by the war, including attacks against hospitals.

10 years of the UN Human Rights Council: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter launches an international appeal to enhance conflict prevention

13.06.2016 — Press releases EDA
At the opening of the UN Human Rights Council’s June session in Geneva, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter has launched an international appeal of 13 June calling for enhanced conflict prevention. The Council is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Geneva today.

Federal Council concludes headquarters agreement and administrative arrangement with Secretariat of the Arms Trade Treaty

13.06.2016 — Press releases EDA
On 13 June 2016, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, signed a headquarters agreement and an administrative arrangement with the Secretariat of the Arms Trade Treaty on behalf of the Federal Council. The head of the Secretariat, Mr Dumisani Dladla, signed the documents on behalf of the Secretariat of the Arms Trade Treaty.

Federal Council opens consultation process on 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy

04.11.2020 — Press releases EDA
With its 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy, the Federal Council is setting out how it intends to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development over the next ten years. At its meeting on 4 November, the Federal Council approved the strategy for consultation.

UN World Data Forum in Bern cannot take place in October 2020

01.07.2020 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council was informed at its sitting of 1 July 2020 that the organisation committee and the United Nations have decided that the United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF) cannot take place in October 2020 and should be held at a later date. The UNWDF is an event of global importance in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This, the third meeting of the UNWDF, will be organised in Bern by the Swiss Confederation in cooperation with the United Nations.

World record-breaking giant postcard: SDC gives youth a voice in fight against climate change

16.11.2018 — Press releases EDA
Over 100,000 postcards with promises and messages about climate change from children and young people around the world will be used to stage a new Guinness world record on the Jungfraujoch: the biggest postcard of all time, raising awareness about climate change.

Bundesrätin Doris Leuthard zieht eine positive Bilanz über die Fortschritte der Schweiz bei der Umsetzung der Agenda 2030 für nachhaltige Entwicklung

17.07.2018 — Press releases EDA
Bundesrätin Doris Leuthard nahm am 16. und 17. Juli am Hochrangigen Politischen Forum für Nachhaltige Entwicklung (High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development HLPF) an der UNO in New York teil. Vor der versammelten Staatengemeinschaft und zahlreichen nichtstaatlichen Akteuren präsentierte sie am 17. Juli den ersten Schweizer Bericht über die Umsetzung der Agenda 2030 und deren 17 Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung (Sustainable Development Goals SDGs).

2030 Agenda in Switzerland: an initial assessment using 85 sustainable development indicators

10.07.2018 — Press releases EDA
(FSO) – The monitoring of 2030 Agenda in Switzerland expresses contrasting and somewhat contradictory trends with regard to the goals pursued. Thirty nine indicators show a development in line with expectations, fourteen show a reverse trend while twelve do not show any marked change. These are the findings of the monitoring system published for the first time by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

How can investments help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals?

20.06.2018 — Press releases Agenda 2030
Private investment is important for the financing of the 2030 Agenda and the success of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). What specific contribution it can make to their implementation however, depends entirely on the type of investment and reform of the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements. Reforms are under way but the outcome is still open, as was highlighted by the prominent panellists attending the SDC’s ‘Traverse’ event on 27 March in Bern.

World Health Day dedicated to “Health for all”

06.04.2018 — Press releases EDA
World Health Day 2018, which will take place on 7 April, will be dedicated to the theme of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Almost half of the world’s population has no access to essential health services and each year almost hundred million people face extreme poverty because of the money they have to spend on health services.

Trust in data in the era of fake news - The important role of official statistics in a world of fact, fiction and everything in between

04.04.2018 — Press releases EDA
(FSO) – Facts provide the foundation for political and social dialogue. But what happens when instead of facts, purposely spread untruths begin to dominate that dialogue? And what can be done about it, or better still, what can be done to stop it? Possible answers can be found at the conference entitled “Truth in numbers – the role of data in a world of fact, fiction and everything in between” that highlights the importance of official statistics for democracy. The conference is organised by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the international Partnership in Statistics for Development PARIS21.

Agenda 2030 für nachhaltige Entwicklung: Bund unterstützt Initiativen der Kantone und Gemeinden (de)

15.02.2018 — Press releases Agenda 2030
Ittigen, 15.02.2018 - Das Bundesamt für Raumentwicklung (ARE) und die Eidgenössische Migrationskommission (EKM) unterstützen im Rahmen des Förderprogramms Nachhaltige Entwicklung 18 Projekte von Kantonen und Gemeinden, um die Ziele der Agenda 2030 für nachhaltige Entwicklung zu erreichen.

Fine della COP23: un segnale chiaro per il clima da parte della comunità internazionale

18.11.2017 — Press releases EDA
Si è conclusa a Bonn il 18 novembre 2017 la 23a Conferenza delle Nazioni Unite sul clima (COP23). Nell'ambito della Conferenza presieduta dalle Isole Figi, gli Stati hanno espresso il loro impegno a favore del clima e dell'Accordo di Parigi. Inoltre hanno trovato un accordo sui documenti di base che riassumono le diverse posizioni su tutti i punti da negoziare per elaborare le regole di attuazione dell'accordo. Dette regole dovrebbero essere adottate nel 2018 nel corso della prossima Conferenza per il clima.

Switzerland an active participant at the 2017 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

19.07.2017 — Press releases EDA
On Wednesday, 19 July 2017, the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at UN headquarters in New York comes to an end. The forum is an annual event held for the purpose of reviewing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015. One year ago, 22 countries, including Switzerland, reported to the forum on their initial measures for implementation of the 2030 Agenda; this year, national implementation reports were presented by double that number of countries. In addition, thematic evaluations focusing on specific SDGs were conducted, with Switzerland playing an active role in the deliberations.

Switzerland welcomes approval of UN resolution regarding the Statistical Commission’s work on 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

06.07.2017 — Press releases EDA
On 6 July 2017 the UN General Assembly approved the statistical resolution entitled “Work of the UN Statistical Commission pertaining to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. Switzerland made a decisive contribution to the approval of this resolution and was actively involved in its elaboration.

Roadmap for a better world –"die Umwelt" magazine 1/2020

17.04.2020 — Article Agenda 2030

"die Umwelt" magazine is produced by  the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN. It is published four times a year on a key topic, and is free of charge. The current issue reports on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and how authorities, businesses, science and civil society are working towards them at national and international level.

MONET 2030: New visualisation

24.03.2020 — Article Agenda 2030
The new visualisation of the MONET 2030 indicator system makes it possible to gain an insight into Switzerland’s progression towards the sustainable development goals. The mosaic is not uniform, however, and while almost half of the tiles show progress, other areas show setbacks. This representation is dynamic, interactive and flexible according to individual needs. It is published online by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

UNWDF 2021: Road to Bern

16.01.2020 — Article Agenda 2030
Achievement of the sustainable development goals set out in the 2030 Agenda can only be measured with the help of official statistics. These will be the key focus of the third United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF) to be held in Bern from 03 to 06 October 2021. Under the label of the ʹRoad to Bernʹ, a series of events is planned in the run-up to this high-profile international conference.

High-Level Political Forum 2019

26.09.2019 — Article Agenda 2030
The annual High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) to review the 2030 Agenda took place between 9 and 18 July. The Swiss delegation to this major event was led by Ambassador Jürg Lauber and comprised staff from four federal departments (FDFA, DETEC, EAER, FDHA) as well as three representatives from the scientific community, the private sector and the cantonal government.

"The international community must scale up the impact of its engagement"

09.07.2019 — Article DEZA
In mid-July 2019, SDC Assistant Director General Thomas Gass will assume the co-chairmanship of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC) for a two-year term. In this interview he explains how he intends to lead this broad-based platform to ensure that the ambitious goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are achieved as quickly as possible.

UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 1-2 March 2018

01.03.2018 — Local news Agenda 2030
Sustainable Development is a core principle in Switzerland and the Swiss Federal Council follows the Agenda 2030 closely. Ambassador Michael Gerber, Switzerland’s Special Envoy for Global Sustainable Development, will be the chair of this year’s United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regional Forum.

“Switzerland is one of the most progressive countries”

16.11.2017 — Article DEZA

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by the international community in 2015 and has been in effect since 2016. What progress has been made so far? What are the next steps? Interview with Ambassador Michael Gerber, Special Envoy for Sustainable Global Development.

Online Consultation on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

12.07.2017 — Article Agenda 2030

From 26 June until 25 August 2017, non-state actors from business, civil society and academia, as well as cantons and communes, can take part in an online consultation. By participating, they can supplement the federal government's assessment of the implementation status of the 2030 Agenda and demonstrate their own contribution to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. The results of the consultation will be used for guidance when drafting the 2018 Swiss country report for the UN.

Switzerland at the 2017 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

05.07.2017 — Article Agenda 2030

The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development will be held at the UN in New York from 10 to 19 July 2017. Last year, 22 countries presented their initial measures to implement the 2030 Agenda; this year, twice that number are presenting voluntary national reports on their implementation of the Agenda. Thematic evaluations of specific SDGs will be carried out at the same time. The Swiss delegation will take an active part in the discussions.

Resilience is key

18.05.2017 — Article DEZA

From 22 to 26 May 2017, Switzerland will participate in a global conference on disaster risk reduction organised by the UN in Cancun, Mexico. The goal is to deliver on the commitments made under the Sendai Framework in 2015 in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A project co-financed by the SDC in Nicaragua has proven that prevention in this respect can be hugely beneficial to small farmers.

Mental health: a neglected aspect of development

06.04.2017 — Article DEZA

Access to physical and mental healthcare is a basic human right – one which for many people remains a luxury. The third Sustainable Development Goal stresses the right to health in general terms, highlighting the importance of access to healthcare for all and of promotion and prevention for mental health. 

Munich Security Conference: Didier Burkhalter rates OSCE as a major actor for rebuilding trust in Europe

18.02.2017 — EDA
At the Munich Security Conference last Saturday, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter expressed the view that the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) now more than ever had a key role to play in strengthening security in Europe. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) called on members of the OSCE to advance common action to reduce uncertainty and rebuild trust through a structured dialogue within the framework of the OSCE.