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Lebanon: Switzerland sends water and sanitation support

11.12.2024 — Press releases EDA
Since September 2024, developments in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel have led to the displacement of thousands of people inside Lebanon, depriving them of access to drinking water in particular. Faced with this situation, Switzerland has decided to provide additional expertise and equipment to support ongoing activities in the Bekaa Valley. The aim is to maintain equitable access to water for those affected.

Swiss diplomat Jürg Lauber elected Human Rights Council president

09.12.2024 — Press releases EDA
Jürg Lauber, who currently heads the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organisations in Geneva, has been elected to preside over the Human Rights Council (HRC) in 2025. The HRC is the UN's main human rights body. In October, Switzerland was re-elected to the council by the General Assembly for the 2025–27 period after an absence of six years.

Climate crisis in developing countries: Switzerland supports disadvantaged population groups

15.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
Floods and droughts are on the increase worldwide. They impact the poorest population groups in developing countries particularly hard. To bolster their resilience and assist them in adapting to climate change, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Ignazio Cassis, decided to contribute CHF 15 million to the Paris Agreement's Adaptation Fund (AF).

Ignazio Cassis to take part in UN Security Council meetings on Middle East and Ukraine

15.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, will travel to New York on 18 November 2024 to participate in two Security Council meetings organised by the United Kingdom on the situations in the Middle East and in Ukraine.

Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions

14.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland has been tasked by the UN with organising a Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions on the protection of civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory. The FDFA is responsible for organising the conference. Ambassador Franz Perrez will oversee this process, while Ambassador Salman Bal will conduct consultations. The conference is scheduled to take place in March 2025 in Geneva. The Federal Council was briefed on the progress of work to organise the conference at its meeting on 13 November 2024.

Switzerland launches project to reduce maternal and infant mortality in DRC

11.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the FDFA, in partnership with four local organisations, is launching a new project aimed at reducing the mortality rate among mothers and children under the age of five in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, has approved CHF 11.9 million for this project, which will benefit over eight million people.

Federal Council approves loan for reconstruction of IOM headquarters

06.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
On 6 November 2024, the Federal Council approved a loan of CHF 44.7 million to the Foundation for Buildings for International Organisations (FIPOI). This funding will facilitate the demolition and reconstruction of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) headquarters in Geneva. The construction work is planned to last four years, from 2026 to 2029.

FDFA welcomes the outcome of the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

31.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
Gathered in Geneva, 2,200 delegates from all over the world approved five resolutions aimed at strengthening humanitarian action in a world of constant change, where humanitarian needs are immense. The work, in which Switzerland actively participated, focused on compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL).

International humanitarian law: FDFA head opens the 34th International Conference of Red Cross and Red Crescent

28.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
Bolstering humanitarian action and respect for international humanitarian law are the objectives of the conference in Geneva. Every four years, the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent brings together representatives of the states party to the Geneva Conventions and the movement's organisations: the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Federal Council adopts second voluntary report on international humanitarian law implementation by Switzerland

23.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 23 October 2024, the Federal Council adopted Switzerland's second voluntary report on its implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL), against a very different global backdrop from when the first report was published. The implementation of IHL is essential in order to preserve a minimum of humanity in armed conflicts. Switzerland's commitment to IHL remains steadfast despite today's changing world.

International appeal for humanitarian demining in Ukraine adopted in Lausanne

17.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
The first day of the Ukraine Mine Action Conference 2024 ended today with the presentation of the Lausanne Call for Action, which reaffirms the support of the majority of the countries present for humanitarian demining in Ukraine and around the world. The appeal calls for the needs of victims and disabled people to be addressed and promoting partnership and innovation to increase effectiveness in mine action. The conference, held in Lausanne at the EHL Hospitality Business School, brings together representatives of states, international organisations and partners in humanitarian demining.

Federal Council proposes to allocate CHF 7 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon and Syria

09.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
In view of the humanitarian impact of the escalating violence in the Middle East, the Federal Council decided at its meeting on 9 October 2024 to allocate an additional CHF 7 million in aid for Lebanon and Syria. This sum will be taken from the funds set aside for emergency aid by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). In line with Parliament's decision in December 2023, the foreign affairs committees will be consulted on this decision. These funds are in addition to the CHF 79 million allocated for humanitarian operations in the Middle East in 2024.

Media (608)

Lebanon: Switzerland sends water and sanitation support

Swiss diplomat Jürg Lauber elected Human Rights Council president

Climate crisis in developing countries: Switzerland supports disadvantaged population groups

Ignazio Cassis to take part in UN Security Council meetings on Middle East and Ukraine

Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions

Switzerland launches project to reduce maternal and infant mortality in DRC

Federal Council approves loan for reconstruction of IOM headquarters

FDFA welcomes the outcome of the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

International humanitarian law: FDFA head opens the 34th International Conference of Red Cross and Red Crescent

Federal Council adopts second voluntary report on international humanitarian law implementation by Switzerland

International appeal for humanitarian demining in Ukraine adopted in Lausanne

Federal Council proposes to allocate CHF 7 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon and Syria

Other news (321)

Inclusion and education: All means all – even during the COVID-19 crisis

24.06.2020 — Artículo DEZA
The international community has committed to ensuring access to quality education for all by 2030. However, nearly 265 million children and young people are currently neither in school nor in training. UNESCO's 2020 Global Education Monitoring Report reminds countries to focus on those who are left behind and progress towards inclusion in education. Inclusion plays a very important part in Switzerland's development cooperation.

Discover the world with the FDFA and with peace mind

17.01.2020 — Artículo EDA
Just what is the perfect trip abroad? And where would it take you? Swiss travellers have different needs and expectations – some prefer to go on their own, others would rather choose an organised tour. It doesn't matter if you're a backpacker or a jet-setter: the FDFA provides a wide range of services for anyone who wants to travel abroad.

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brings together actors committed to finding shared solutions

17.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened the Global Refugee Forum together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The purpose of the forum, which takes place on 17 and 18 December at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, is to find shared solutions to meet the needs of refugees and their host communities.

Humanitarian aid responds to digital and climate challenges – 33rd Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent comes to a close

12.12.2019 — EDA
The 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent ended today in Geneva. The conference adopted six resolutions that will enable the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to improve its actions and adapt them to the needs of vulnerable groups, in a world where the demand for humanitarian aid has never been so high. The topic of digitalisation was on the agenda for discussion, for example in restoring family links broken by crisis situations. The conference was opened by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on Monday 9 December.

Ignazio Cassis calls for international humanitarian law to be strengthened at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

09.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis called for international humanitarian law to be strengthened in his opening speech at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent taking place in Geneva from 9 to 12 December. Mr Cassis praised the vital work of the 17 million volunteers who make up the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Swiss initiative: intentional starvation of civilians in civil wars is now a war crime

06.12.2019 — EDA
Following a Swiss initiative, the International Criminal Court (ICC) will from now on be able to prosecute the intentional starvation of civilians in civil wars as a war crime. The ICC Assembly of States Parties took a unanimous decision to this effect earlier today. It strengthens the protection of victims of war.

Swiss diplomat Heidi Grau named OSCE Special Representative for Ukraine

05.12.2019 — EDA
In a triumph for Swiss diplomacy, the 26th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has opened with the Chairperson-in-Office, Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák, appointing Ambassador Heidi Grau as Special Representative for Ukraine. A renowned Swiss expert on Eastern Europe, Ambassador Grau thus assumes a key role in working towards an end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis welcomes the news of her appointment and considers this a testament to the reputation Swiss diplomacy enjoys within and beyond the OSCE.

Walter Kälin appointed to UN High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement

04.12.2019 — EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes UN Secretary-General António Guterres' decision to appoint Swiss law professor Walter Kälin as one of the experts of the UN's newly established High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement, which is tasked with finding solutions to internal displacement and alleviating its impact.

An exhibition to further understanding the importance of humanitarian principles

04.12.2019 — EDA
Humanitarian action is centred on the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. Together with the Musée de l'Elysée in Lausanne and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is hosting an exhibition and forum for debate on humanitarian action and its founding principles. The art installation will run until March 2020 at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva.

30 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets two school classes on the occasion

20.11.2019 — EDA
The right to education, protection, play and leisure – children have certain rights that, alongside their general welfare, states are obliged to guarantee. These obligations are enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was adopted 30 years ago today. To mark the occasion, Mr Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, opened the doors of the Federal Palace in Bern to two school classes from the canton of Ticino.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen to discuss a political solution to the Syrian conflict

21.10.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis has met with the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, in Bern to discuss the situation in Syria and possible ways of finding a political solution. They conferred about the most recent escalation of the conflict in north-eastern Syria and the upcoming first meeting of the Syrian Constitutional Committee in Geneva by the end of the month. Switzerland provides humanitarian support for the people of Syria and neighbouring countries.

Federal Council calls for immediate end to hostilities and facilitates provision of humanitarian aid in Syria

16.10.2019 — EDA
The Federal Council condemns Turkey's military intervention in Syria, which it considers to be in violation of the UN Charter and therefore contrary to international law. It calls on Turkey to immediately cease all hostilities and to work through negotiation towards immediate de-escalation and a political solution to the conflict. Switzerland has stated this position to Turkey several times in recent days. At the same time, the Federal Council decided at its meeting of 16 October 2019 to aid the establishment of business relations necessary for the work of the humanitarian actors active in Syria. The amended ordinance on measures against Syria will enter into force on 15 November 2019.