Here you can find the last 12 media releases and other news published by the FDFA, such as statements, announcements and articles, in chronological order.
All media releases can be found on the Administarions's website.
30.05.2023
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis chaired a meeting on the protection of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant at the UN Security Council on 30 May 2023. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), presented five principles to the Council to guarantee protection of the nuclear power plant. This protection has been threatened several times since the beginning of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. Switzerland supports the IAEA's efforts and calls on the parties to recognise and implement the five principles.
29.05.2023
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Press release
EDA
The UN Security Council will meet on 30 May 2023 to discuss the protection of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. The safety of the nuclear power plant is threatened by hostilities. At the meeting in New York chaired by Federal Councillor Cassis, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, will brief the Security Council on the current situation and present the principles for ensuring safety on site.
01.05.2023
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, will travel to New York from 3 to 4 May 2023. Switzerland holds the presidency of the UN Security Council this May. Mr Cassis will chair Switzerland's first flagship event at the Security Council on 3 May on the topic of 'building sustainable peace'. Also on the agenda are the Security Council's annual briefing on promoting cooperation between the UN and the OSCE and various bilateral meetings.
06.04.2023
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, will travel to Havana on 10 April to meet his Cuban counterpart Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla. He will then travel to Washington to attend the 2023 spring meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund on 12 and 13 April. Mr Cassis will then travel on to Chicago to be briefed on the operations of the Swiss consulate general, for the first time since it was reopened in 2019.
24.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, took part in a high-level UN Security Council debate in New York on 24 February 2023. Mr Cassis called for the withdrawal of Russia's armed forces present on Ukraine's sovereign territory for a year and for respect of the Geneva Conventions. He also underscored Switzerland's commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
23.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
On 23 February 2023, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, attended an emergency special session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The deliberations focused on Russia's ongoing military aggression against Ukraine, which began a year ago. Mr Cassis voiced his support for the General Assembly's resolution calling for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
13.01.2023
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travelled to Washington, D.C. on 13 January and met with his US counterpart Antony Blinken. The meeting centred on cooperation within the UN Security Council and bilateral relations.
12.01.2023
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis took part in a UN Security Council ministerial debate on the rule of law in New York on 12 January. The head of the FDFA recalled that respect for the principles of the UN Charter is pivotal to peace and security in the world. Tomorrow, Mr Cassis will travel on to Washington, where he will meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
11.01.2023
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Press release
EDA
At its meeting on 11 January 2023, the Federal Council was briefed on Switzerland's initial work within the UN Security Council and key upcoming issues. Tomorrow, Thursday 12 January, head of the FDFA Ignazio Cassis will travel to New York to participate in a UN Security Council debate at the invitation of Japan, the current president. This ministerial-level debate will focus on promoting the rule of law among nations.
09.01.2023
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Press release
EDA
On 9 January 2023, the United Nations Security Council unanimously extended the mandate for cross-border humanitarian aid in Syria until 10 July. Switzerland introduced the respective resolution in the Security Council as co-penholder of the Syria humanitarian file. The Council's decision allows humanitarian aid to reach a region in north-west Syria where over four million people are in need of support. Protecting the civilian population in conflicts is one of Switzerland's priorities for its two-year Council membership.
03.01.2023
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Press release
EDA
On 1 January, Switzerland became a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the years 2023 and 2024. Its seat on the Security Council is an opportunity for Switzerland to make its contribution to peace and security in the world, especially in the current tense global political context.
20.09.2022
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland has added value to contribute in tackling global challenges, stated President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis in his address to the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday 20 September 2022. He outlined how Switzerland's strengths are more important than ever in today's geopolitical situation. In future, Switzerland aims to work even harder for open dialogue, confidence-building and closer cooperation between states. President Cassis will attend various events and hold bilateral talks with several heads of state and government on Tuesday and Wednesday.
30.05.2023 —
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis chaired a meeting on the protection of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant at the UN Security Council on 30 May 2023. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), presented five principles to the Council to guarantee protection of the nuclear power plant. This protection has been threatened several times since the beginning of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. Switzerland supports the IAEA's efforts and calls on the parties to recognise and implement the five principles.
29.05.2023 —
Press release
EDA
The UN Security Council will meet on 30 May 2023 to discuss the protection of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. The safety of the nuclear power plant is threatened by hostilities. At the meeting in New York chaired by Federal Councillor Cassis, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, will brief the Security Council on the current situation and present the principles for ensuring safety on site.
01.05.2023 —
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, will travel to New York from 3 to 4 May 2023. Switzerland holds the presidency of the UN Security Council this May. Mr Cassis will chair Switzerland's first flagship event at the Security Council on 3 May on the topic of 'building sustainable peace'. Also on the agenda are the Security Council's annual briefing on promoting cooperation between the UN and the OSCE and various bilateral meetings.
06.04.2023 —
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, will travel to Havana on 10 April to meet his Cuban counterpart Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla. He will then travel to Washington to attend the 2023 spring meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund on 12 and 13 April. Mr Cassis will then travel on to Chicago to be briefed on the operations of the Swiss consulate general, for the first time since it was reopened in 2019.
24.02.2023 —
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, took part in a high-level UN Security Council debate in New York on 24 February 2023. Mr Cassis called for the withdrawal of Russia's armed forces present on Ukraine's sovereign territory for a year and for respect of the Geneva Conventions. He also underscored Switzerland's commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
23.02.2023 —
Press release
EDA
On 23 February 2023, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, attended an emergency special session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The deliberations focused on Russia's ongoing military aggression against Ukraine, which began a year ago. Mr Cassis voiced his support for the General Assembly's resolution calling for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
13.01.2023 —
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travelled to Washington, D.C. on 13 January and met with his US counterpart Antony Blinken. The meeting centred on cooperation within the UN Security Council and bilateral relations.
12.01.2023 —
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis took part in a UN Security Council ministerial debate on the rule of law in New York on 12 January. The head of the FDFA recalled that respect for the principles of the UN Charter is pivotal to peace and security in the world. Tomorrow, Mr Cassis will travel on to Washington, where he will meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
11.01.2023 —
Press release
EDA
At its meeting on 11 January 2023, the Federal Council was briefed on Switzerland's initial work within the UN Security Council and key upcoming issues. Tomorrow, Thursday 12 January, head of the FDFA Ignazio Cassis will travel to New York to participate in a UN Security Council debate at the invitation of Japan, the current president. This ministerial-level debate will focus on promoting the rule of law among nations.
09.01.2023 —
Press release
EDA
On 9 January 2023, the United Nations Security Council unanimously extended the mandate for cross-border humanitarian aid in Syria until 10 July. Switzerland introduced the respective resolution in the Security Council as co-penholder of the Syria humanitarian file. The Council's decision allows humanitarian aid to reach a region in north-west Syria where over four million people are in need of support. Protecting the civilian population in conflicts is one of Switzerland's priorities for its two-year Council membership.
03.01.2023 —
Press release
EDA
On 1 January, Switzerland became a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the years 2023 and 2024. Its seat on the Security Council is an opportunity for Switzerland to make its contribution to peace and security in the world, especially in the current tense global political context.
20.09.2022 —
Press release
EDA
Switzerland has added value to contribute in tackling global challenges, stated President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis in his address to the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday 20 September 2022. He outlined how Switzerland's strengths are more important than ever in today's geopolitical situation. In future, Switzerland aims to work even harder for open dialogue, confidence-building and closer cooperation between states. President Cassis will attend various events and hold bilateral talks with several heads of state and government on Tuesday and Wednesday.
13.09.2019 —
EDA
Switzerland adopted its priorities for the 74th UN General Assembly. The Federal Council was informed, at its meeting on 13 September 2019, of the result of the consultations with the Foreign Affairs Committees. The priorities concern the protection of human rights, support for the UN reform processes, and the promotion of science diplomacy. Switzerland will be represented at the high-level opening of the UN General Assembly at the end of September by President of the Confederation Ueli Maurer and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.
24.02.2017 —
EDA
Switzerland has pledged to take direct action to help populations facing starvation, especially in South Sudan. The decision follows a call issued by the United Nations Secretary-General on 22 February 2017. Swiss Humanitarian Aid, a department of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), is to release CHF 15 million from its fund for humanitarian emergencies for countries hit by famine in the beginning of this year.
The first United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants is taking place on 19 September 2016 in New York and will see the international community adopt joint measures in response to the large movements of refugees and migrants. Switzerland will be focusing in particular on improving protection on the ground, preventing forced displacement and finding sustainable solutions for directly affected populations.
Switzerland is taking part in the United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants on 19 September. Eduard Gnesa, Special Ambassador for International Cooperation on Migration Issues, talks about the challenges facing the international community as a result of the refugee situation.
The COP21 climate conference is taking place in Paris from 30 November to 11 December 2015 and will be attended by a Swiss delegation. Pio Wennubst, Assistant Director General of the SDC, describes Switzerland's contribution to the conference and its activities in the field of climate change, and explains why climate change is a particular challenge for developing countries.
Adopted 15 years ago, UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security is based on the belief that the participation of women in peace processes is conducive to achieving pragmatic solutions and offers a more sustainable route to peace and individual security. Switzerland was one of the first countries to work towards implementing the resolution and wishes to reaffirm its pioneering role in this regard. An international review conference held in Geneva on 9 September 2015 provided an opportunity to take stock.
In conflict situations, the food security of victims goes hand in hand with the safety of aid workers. This in a nutshell is the message that Switzerland and the United Nations wanted to get across at the event they co-organised at Expo Milano on Wednesday 19 August 2015. A "humanitarian parade" was the highlight of the day.
International Youth Day has been celebrated globally since 2000. It provides an opportunity to hear what the young men and women who benefit from and partner the SDC have to say. In Lebanon, Central America, Zimbabwe and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, young people are committed to bringing about a better, more equitable and more secure world.
The Third International Conference on Financing for Development took place in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa from 13 to 16 July 2015. The international community agreed on a framework to implement and finance sustainable development. Ambassador Michael Gerber was chief negotiator in the Swiss delegation. In an interview he describes the negotiations and their results.
The SDC-funded Newlands Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe, has given Jacob M. – who is HIV positive – a new perspective. Today he helps other people infected with HIV so that they can benefit from the same support.