All news (3839)
Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation to attend funeral of former Emir of Qatar
13.07.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Qatar on 13 and 14 July 2026 to attend the official funeral of the former emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. As head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr Cassis will represent Switzerland at the condolence ceremony in the presence of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Tuesday in Doha.
2030 Agenda: Switzerland advocates results-based implementation of SDGs in New York
13.07.2026
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Press releases
EDA
At this year’s High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), taking place from 7 to 16 July 2026 at the UN headquarters in New York, Switzerland will present its fourth voluntary national review (VNR) on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Local authorities can provide good examples of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) being pursued with a focus on impact. For this reason, the cities of Basel, Bern and Geneva will also be represented at a high level in the Swiss HLPF delegation.
Switzerland and the United Kingdom conclude negotiations on a modernised free trade agreement
13.07.2026
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Press releases
EDA
At their meeting in Bern on 13 July, President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin and the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, announced that negotiations had concluded on a modernised free trade agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK).
Switzerland upgrades its presence in Syria
09.07.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Syria has been undergoing fundamental change since the fall of the Assad regime at the end of 2024. This has prompted Switzerland to step up its efforts to promote a political transition and the country's socio-economic development. Its existing humanitarian office was therefore upgraded to a cooperation office at the beginning of 2026. SDC Director General Patricia Danzi and Ambassador Monika Schmutz Kirgöz, head of the FDFA's MENA Division, officially opened the cooperation office in Damascus on 8 July 2026. They also saw for themselves what Switzerland is now doing on the ground.
20 years in the service of human rights
08.07.2026
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Press releases
EDA
The 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council has concluded in Geneva. The Human Rights Council marked its 20th anniversary on 19 June 2026. Switzerland worked towards its foundation, thus helping to establish a body that furthers state-level accountability and helps drive the development of international human rights standards. The session that ended today focused on women's rights and gender equality. Switzerland advocated strongly for an end to forced marriage and violence against women and girls in various contexts.
Thomas Gass elected chair of the OECD Development Assistance Committee
08.07.2026
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Press releases
EDA
On 8 July, the members of the OECD's Development Assistance Committee (DAC) elected Ambassador Thomas Gass as their next chair. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) supported his candidacy and welcome his election.
Schweiz setzt im Libanon in einem Schlüsselmoment diplomatische und humanitäre Akzente
06.07.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Patricia Danzi, die Direktorin der Direktion für Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit (DEZA), und Monika Schmutz Kirgöz, Chefin der Abteilung Mittlerer Osten und Nordafrika des Staatssekretariats des EDA, haben vom 3. bis 5. Juli 2026 im Libanon politische Gespräche geführt und sich ein Bild von der humanitären Situation der Bevölkerung gemacht. Einige Tage nach dem Abschluss des trilateralen Rahmenabkommens zwischen den USA, Libanon und Israel unterstrichen sie die Bereitschaft der Schweiz, in einem für die Region wichtigen Moment Gute Dienste zu leisten. Zudem überprüften sie, wie die im März vom EDA zugesagte Nothilfe im Libanon umgesetzt wird.
OSCE press release: OSCE Chairman-in-Office addressed the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Annual Session
04.07.2026
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Press releases
EDA
OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, presented Switzerland’s priorities and guiding principles for its Chairpersonship to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on the opening ceremony of its 33rd Annual Session in the The Hague, Netherlands.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to travel to The Hague
02.07.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Ignazio Cassis is to visit the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 3 and 4 July 2026. There he will meet his Dutch counterpart Tom Berendsen. Later, he will deliver a speech in his capacity as chairman-in-office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to the organisation's Parliamentary Assembly. Further discussions are planned with the Dutch authorities and with OSCE Parliamentary Assembly bodies, as well as with the Swiss parliamentary delegation.
Earthquakes in Venezuela: Swiss Rescue operations conclude, humanitarian aid continues
02.07.2026
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Press releases
EDA
In Venezuela the death toll from the two powerful earthquakes continues to rise. The destruction is extensive. Having worked since last Friday to free people trapped in the rubble, Swiss Rescue personnel have concluded their mission and are returning home. Switzerland is continuing to provide emergency aid and is sending specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit to assist survivors.
FDFA state secretary in Beijing for political dialogue between Switzerland and China
26.06.2026
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Press releases
EDA
On 26 June 2026, Alexandre Fasel, the state secretary of the FDFA, was in Beijing for the political dialogue between Switzerland and China. He held talks with Hua Chunying, vice minister of foreign affairs of the People's Republic of China. The discussions focused on bilateral relations, economic, scientific and financial cooperation, and a number of regional and international issues.
Federal Council prioritises international cooperation and strengthens humanitarian aid
24.06.2026
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 24 June 2026, the Federal Council set out the key parameters for international cooperation from 2029. In future, Switzerland will focus its development cooperation in a more targeted manner, establish a clear division of responsibilities between the SDC and SECO, and strengthen its humanitarian aid. In doing so, it is responding to the altered geopolitical situation, enhancing the impact of its international cooperation and, at the same time, achieving savings for the federal budget. The budget for international cooperation remains virtually unchanged at around CHF 2.4 billion per year. The measures that have been adopted will result in an annual reduction of around CHF 20 million from 2027. The FDFA and the EAER were tasked with drafting a consultation document on the International Cooperation Strategy 2029–32 on this basis.
