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.
25.04.2024
—
Press releases
EDA
On 24 April 2024, the UN General Assembly approved funding for an independent institution to investigate cases of missing persons in Syria, to be based in Geneva. As part of its peace policy, Switzerland is firmly committed to clarifying the fate of detained and missing persons. In doing so, it is making a significant contribution to dealing with the past, which is central to peace processes – including in Syria. Switzerland therefore welcomes the international community's decision for the institution to begin its work in International Geneva in 2024.
25.04.2024
—
Press releases
EDA
The r4d programme of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) came to a close today at a public event in Bern. The two institutions also took the opportunity to launch a new programme called Solution-oriented Research for Development (SOR4D). The two programmes involve the implementation of projects in the fields of health, food security, social conflicts, ecosystems, employment and income in developing countries.
24.04.2024
—
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 24 April 2024, the Federal Council decided to proceed with the planned use of CHF 56 million of humanitarian funding earmarked for the Middle East. The FDFA has been instructed to consult with the foreign affairs committees on this matter. A decision on the disbursement of the Swiss contribution to UNRWA will be made at a later date.
23.04.2024
—
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, received Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg in Bern today. Their discussions focused on the close bilateral relations between the two countries, Switzerland's European policy, current international affairs and the security situation. Both ministers reaffirmed their joint commitment to promoting global peace.
18.04.2024
—
Press releases
EDA
Palestine's application for full UN membership will not be submitted to the UN General Assembly due to the veto by the United States on 18 April in the UN Security Council. Switzerland abstained from the vote. After assessing the situation and consulting with the chairs of the parliamentary foreign affairs committees, the Federal Council concluded that granting Palestine full UN membership at this time would not be conducive to easing the situation and peace efforts in the Middle East. Switzerland remains committed to the two-state solution.
18.04.2024
—
Press releases
EDA
On 17–18 April, representatives from more than 50 countries and organisations gathered at an international workshop in Kyiv to discuss measures for identifying and clearing mines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine. Good coordination of national activities and international support is crucial to ensure that this work can progress swiftly and effectively. The workshop was co-organised by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). Switzerland, whose delegation at the conference was led by Ambassador Simon Geissbühler, has a long history of supporting humanitarian demining through the GICHD and other organisations. Clearing the country of mines is a key prerequisite for Ukraine's recovery.
17.04.2024
—
Press releases
EDA
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel received a US delegation for political consultations in Bern on 17 April. The delegation was led by Assistant Secretary James O'Brien, who is in charge of European and Eurasian affairs at the US Department of State. On the agenda were the many ongoing or recently concluded bilateral negotiations, particularly in the area of taxation, which are concrete examples of the dynamism of bilateral relations.
15.04.2024
—
Press releases
EDA
At the international donors' conference on 15 April 2024 in Paris, Switzerland pledged CHF 19 million to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Sudan. As a result of the ongoing hostilities over the past year, the country is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time. To date, 8.6 million people have been displaced, and the country is on the brink of a devastating famine. From the beginning of the crisis, Switzerland has been actively engaged at multiple levels to help end the conflict and improve the situation on the ground.
12.04.2024
—
Press releases
EDA
The third International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum) concluded today in Basel. Over 1,000 representatives from politics, business, science, and civil society gathered alongside President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, FDFA head Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, and Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde to discuss the theme of peace promotion. Discussions centred on three core values: critical dialogue, trust, and innovation, all aimed at finding new pathways for tangible and sustainable progress. A highlight of the 2024 forum was the Swiss IC Awards, recognising innovative peace-building projects by Swiss companies.
12.04.2024
—
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis paid an official visit to Croatia today. He was received by his counterpart, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, Swiss–EU relations and the geopolitical context.
11.04.2024
—
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillors Karin Keller-Sutter and Guy Parmelin, together with Swiss National Bank Chairman Thomas Jordan, will attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington from 17 to 19 April 2024. A meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, as well as a ministerial meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), will also take place as part of this gathering. In addition, the two Federal Councillors will take this opportunity to hold bilateral meetings.
11.04.2024
—
Press releases
EDA
In 2023, Switzerland's official development assistance (ODA) amounted to CHF 4.64 billion, equivalent to 0.60% of its gross national income (GNI), more than a quarter of which came from asylum-related costs in Switzerland. Excluding these asylum costs, the ODA/GNI ratio was 0.43%.
26.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
The SDC is sending two drinking water experts to Haiti. These will work together with the national authorities and support them in the testing and production of clean drinking water in rural areas. The goal is to ensure there is a secure source of drinking water in every municipality checked. In this way SDC is helping to tackle the causes of the disease in the fight against cholera.
25.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes the excellent organisation and hosting of the XIIIth Summit of the Francophonie, which was held from 22-24 October in Montreux. Some 40 heads of state and government, as well as delegations representing member and observer countries of the International Organisation of the Francophonie (IOF) were welcomed to this successful high-level conference. The FDFA would like to emphasise the engagement of all partners involved in this Summit. The department extends its warm thanks to them.
22.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
President Doris Leuthard, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA), today received the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper at the Lohn country residence in Kehrsatz for an official visit. The Canadian Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and for La Francophonie, Josée Verner. Federal Councillors Mich-eline Calmy-Rey and Hans-Rudolf Merz were also present. During the visit, a protocol was signed amending the Double Taxation Agreement between Switzerland and Canada. The dele-gations also officially announced an expansion of the bilateral aviation agreement.
21.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
The 2010 Ministerial Conference of French-speaking Countries concluded its work today, under the aegis of the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Micheline Calmy-Rey, in the run-up to the XIII Francophonie Summit to be held on 23-24 October in Montreux. At this meeting the Ministerial Conference reaffirmed the position of French-speaking countries as a major player in international relations that can act as a forum for consultation, cooperation and influence both before and after discussions and decisions taken in other spheres. It also emphasized the solidarity of French-speaking countries in addressing the new challenges such as sustainable development, education and innovation.
21.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
“Global Compact” aims to integrate private-sector companies into international efforts in the field of development cooperation. In 2010, Global Compact will celebrate its tenth anniversary. To mark the occasion, experts will take part in a discussion on 26 October organized by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development on the achievements to date and the challenges of the future.
19.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
D’intesa con le autorità del Cantone Grigioni e del Tirolo, il Dipartimento federale dell’ambiente, dei trasporti, dell’energia e delle comunicazioni (DATEC) ha rilasciato alla società Gemeinschaftswerk Inn GmbH (GKI) una concessione per lo sfruttamento della forza idrica del fiume Inn e un’autorizzazione edilizia per la realizzazione di una centrale tra le località di Martina (in Svizzera) e Prutz (in Austria).
18.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
A few days before the opening of the 13th Summit of French-Speaking Communities (22-24 October 2010) the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Micheline Calmy-Rey, has reiterated the importance of the event that Switzerland is about to host. Seventy countries will be represented in Montreux, around forty by their heads of state and government. Micheline Calmy-Rey also reiterated that Switzerland’s wish was to introduce new ideas in both the programmes and the topics discussed to make this summit into a political meeting.
18.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey met the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Jigme Thinley, today in Bern. They discussed various issues, including development aid, the environment and human rights. During his visit to Switzerland, Mr Thinley also had discussions with the President of the Confederation, Doris Leuthard, as well as with Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger.
18.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
On 18 October 2010, Ambassador Valentin Zellweger, Director of the Directorate for Public International Law of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, signed on behalf of the Federal Council a bilateral agreement with France, as well as a trilateral agreement with France and the CERN, for determining the law applicable both to enterprises active at the CERN site and to their personnel.
15.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
Mrs Micheline Calmy-Rey will participate in the demonstration against hunger organised by the Swiss Alliance against Hunger on the federal square in Bern on 16 October. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs will take this opportunity to stress that hunger is not inevitable, that the right to do adequate sustenance is a universal human right and that governments should take action to combat this evil, which causes the deaths of 24,000 persons every day.
14.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
Religions and world views play a central role in many conflicts. This is why Switzerland pays particular attention to this aspect in its worldwide commitment to peace promotion. This is the central topic of this year's annual conference of Political Affairs Division IV of the FDFA in Bern. Prominent figures from Switzerland and abroad analyse the topic of different religious and cultural perspectives, exchange experiences and discuss new ways forward.
14.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
An environmental expert from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) will be arriving in the Hungarian disaster area today. At the request of the Hungarian government he will support the authorities in their efforts to deal with the toxic waste disaster.
24.11.2022 —
Article
EDA
Approximately 780,000 Swiss citizens abroad currently benefit from the wide range of services provided by a global network of representations offering advice and support. The FDFA Helpline is also on hand to answer queries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Now there's a new app that makes staying in touch even easier: SwissInTouch keeps Switzerland at your fingertips.
29.01.2022 —
EDA
Allocution du président de la Confédération Ignazio Cassis, chef du Département fédéral des affaires étrangères, à l’occasion du 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki - Check against delivery.
21.05.2021 —
EDA
Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), on the occasion of the 131st (virtual) Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Check against delivery.
04.09.2020 —
EDA
Camorino, 04.09.2020 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony "Ceneri2020" - Check against delivery
25.08.2020 —
EDA
Bern, 25.08.2020: Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the retirement of the ambassadors and the welcoming of the young diplomats who are taking up their posts in the service of the FDFA. Check against delivery.
26.06.2020 —
EDA
Geneva, 26.06.2020: Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter - Check against delivery
29.01.2020 —
DEZA
The FDFA has showcased some innovative technology at the 50th WEF, which could reduce global CO2 emissions by millions of tonnes per year. The SDC undertakes a range of projects in the construction industry, working in cooperation with academia and the private sector. The aim of these projects, which are located in emerging economies, is to tackle global warming effectively.
17.01.2020 —
Article
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.
14.01.2020 —
Article
DEZA
Honeyland has been nominated for an Oscar in the categories Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary. The film’s hero, Hatidze Muratova, champions environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources. She was discovered through the Nature Conservation Programme launched by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
20.12.2019 —
EDA
At its meeting on 20 December 2019, the Federal Council approved an exchange of notes between Switzerland and Italy regarding the change of the customs status of the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia. This exchange of notes is necessary to ensure legal certainty and facilitates the transition of Campione d'Italia into the European Union's customs territory, scheduled for 1 January 2020.
19.12.2019 —
EDA
On 16 and 17 December 2019 a third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee, supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation on the basic principles for a mechanism of customs administration and monitoring of trade in goods, signed on 9 November 2011, took place in Bern.