International humanitarian law
The protection of international humanitarian law and respect for the Geneva Conventions were a major focus of Switzerland's efforts during the week. Mr Cassis spoke at the launch of a ministerial declaration for the protection of humanitarian personnel. He called for concrete measures to end attacks against them: “We must translate this commitment into concrete action to reverse the alarming trend of violence against humanitarian workers,” he said.
At the start of the event ‘Missing Persons in Armed Conflict’, Mr Cassis also stressed the importance of addressing that event's topic, a central theme of the FDFA's peace promotion work.
Switzerland's OSCE chairpersonship in 2026
Mr Cassis also had a number of bilateral talks on the margins of the General Assembly. With his Finnish and Maltese counterparts from the OSCE Troika, he discussed peace and security issues concerning Europe, with a view to Switzerland's chairpersonship of the OSCE in 2026.
These discussions, focused on the Ukraine conflict in particular, were part of Switzerland's commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation and using its future chairpersonship to promote peace and international dialogue. Mr Cassis also discussed the OSCE's activities with the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.
Conflict in Ukraine
During his bilateral talks, Mr Cassis discussed the security and humanitarian challenges related to the conflict in Ukraine with several countries, including Ukraine and Russia. Switzerland stressed its support for adherence to international law and the Helsinki principles. Peace promotion and support for victims of the conflict remain constant priorities of Swiss foreign policy.
Conflict in the Middle East
In line with its long-standing commitment to a political solution, Switzerland also took part in the follow-up to the conference on the two-state solution in New York. On 29 July 2025, at the UN conference on implementing the two-state solution, Switzerland had reiterated that the two-state solution remained the only way for Israelis and Palestinians to live side-by-side in peace, security and dignity, within secure and recognised borders and in line with international law. Switzerland supports the New York Declaration issued at the conference, which commits to concrete steps to end the war in Gaza, implement the two-state solution and achieve regional integration.
Switzerland also adopted a joint statement released in New York calling for the lifting of Israeli restrictions on medicines and medical equipment, as well as the reopening of the medical evacuation corridor from Gaza to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
In addition, Mr Cassis held talks with several regional actors, including Iran, Oman, Algeria and Morocco, in order to contribute to efforts towards dialogue and de-escalation.
Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, 24.09.2025, Missing Persons in Armed Conflict (eng)
Presse release, 23.09.2025 : Switzerland participates in conference in New York on two-state solution and joins call for Israel to lift medical restrictions on patients in Gaza
Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, 22.09.2025, 80th UN General Assembly: Protection of humanitarian personnel
UN
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