Joint Statement on the 2023 U.S.-Swiss Cyber and Digital Dialogue

USA country dossier

Comprehensive information on living and working in the United States of America.

Please contact the Embassy of Switzerland or the Consulate General of Switzerland which is in charge for your place of residence *) when you want to register or unregister as a resident, when you need a new Swiss passport or Swiss identity card, have moved or wish to apply for Swiss citizenship. The entire selection of services offered can be found in the dropdown list to the right.

Swiss citizens who get into difficulties abroad, also can ask for advice and help from their Swiss representation.

*) You can find out which Swiss representation is in charge for your place of residence by clicking on the tab "Representations" in the grey ribbon above.

The magazine for the Swiss Abroad appears six times a year and provides information about what is happening at home and the activities of Swiss associations abroad. It also answers administrative questions.

Online desk FDFA

Using the FDFA’s online consular services while abroad.

The relevant Swiss representation abroad can answer any questions concerning the FDFA’s online desk.

Liesyl Franz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Cyberspace Security, and Ambassador Benedikt Weschler, Head of the Digitalization Division at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. — Liesyl Franz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Cyberspace Security, and Ambassador Benedikt Wechsler, Head of the Digitalization Division at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. © FDFA

U.S. and Swiss officials covered a wide range of issues, including a review of respective national polices and strategies. Officials discussed avenues for increasing collaboration on cybersecurity and cyber defense with emphasis on expanding cooperation to combat ransomware. On cyber diplomacy and deterrence, U.S. and Swiss sides worked to align objectives for ongoing UN processes including the Open-Ended Working Group and Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime.

The United States outlined its advocacy for secure digital infrastructure supported by trustworthy suppliers and shared concerns surrounding digital regulation trends in Europe. U.S. and Swiss experts exchanged digital and Internet-related policy initiatives, including Switzerland’s ongoing efforts as a digital host state. The United States offered priorities in its role as 2023 chair of the Freedom Online Coalition and the two sides discussed the principles set out in the Declaration for the Future of the Internet and ongoing efforts to support inclusive and multi-stakeholder internet governance.

The dialogue was chaired by Liesyl Franz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Cyberspace Security, and Ambassador Benedikt Weschler, Head of the Digitalization Division at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The United States was also represented by the U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy; Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs; Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor; Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs; and the U.S. Embassy in Bern) as well as by the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, and Justice, and the White House Office of the National Cyber Director. Switzerland was represented by the Federal Departments of Energy, Transportation, Environment and Communications; Defense, Civil Protection, and Sport; Finance; Foreign Affairs; and Federal Department of Justice and Police, as well as by the Embassy of Switzerland in the United States.