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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
18.04.2024
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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.
17.04.2024
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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
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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
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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.
12.04.2024
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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.
11.04.2024
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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%.
11.04.2024
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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.
15.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
By 2025, one in two people will suffer from a lack of fresh water. Population growth, uncontrolled urbanisation, migration, and climate change will place greater demands on the planet’s water resources, making water security one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. Switzerland, whose stewardship of its own water resources has been exemplary, continues to pursue its decades-long international commitment to the water sector. Nevertheless, given the growing complexity of water-related problems, Switzerland needs to step up its own efforts and those of the multilateral organisations to which it belongs. On 15 September, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) hosted a public forum in Berne, during which it reviewed activities to date and launched a discussion on new ways to tackle the global water challenge.
15.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
President Doris Leuthard, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA), and Federal Councillor Hans-Rudolf Merz, head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF), today received Jean-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, at the Lohn country residence in Kehrsatz. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Finance Minister Luc Frieden and Minister of Economic Affairs and Foreign Trade, Jeannot Krecké. Discussions focussed on bilateral relations, economic, financial and fiscal issues as well as on the European policy of both countries.
15.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
The high-level meeting of the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the third week of September will be attended by the President of the Confederation Doris Leuthard and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey. Mrs Leuthard will speak on 23 September in the general debate. Mrs Calmy-Rey will attend the newly established Panel on Global Sustainability whose first meeting will be on 19 September. She will also attend a meeting on 20 September to take stock of the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals so far. The 65th session of the General Assembly will be chaired by former Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss.
14.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes U.S. citizen Sarah Shourd’s release from Iranian detention on September 14, 2010. In the framework of the protecting power mandate for the U.S., for more than a year the FDFA has been engaged in Iran in working toward a solution in the case of three imprisoned U.S. citizens, including Sarah Shourd. The FDFA will continue its efforts on behalf of the two Americans remaining in detention.
13.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
Tuesday 14 September will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and the People's Republic of China. Since 1950, and especially since the policy of opening and reform in China, bilateral relations have steadily intensified and diversified. In the course of 2010, various events will be held in Switzerland and in China to celebrate this anniversary.
08.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 8 September 2010 the Swiss Federal Council approved the dispatch on Switzerland’s participation in the increases in the capital of the multilateral development banks for the attention of the Swiss Parliament. Switzerland is expected to contribute a payment of 167 million Swiss francs. The increases in the capital are needed as the multilateral development banks have reached their lending limits sooner than planned due to their contribution towards combating the financial and economic crisis.
08.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
Today and tomorrow, 8 and 9 September, the Federal Council will be hosting a state visit to Switzerland by the German President, Christian Wulff. Following his arrival at Zurich airport, the President will be received in Bern with military honours where official talks will take place. The programme on Thursday will include visits with an emphasis on science and research.
07.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
The president of the Swiss Confederation, Doris Leuthard, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, the Bulgarian Minister for EU Funds Management Tomislav Donchev, and the Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi, signed the bilateral framework agreements with Bulgaria and Romania on September 7, 2010. The agreements stipulate the content and implementation of the Swiss enlargement contribution to those countries. First projects will presumably be selected and implemented towards the end of 2010.
03.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
A project submitted by the Universities of Bern, Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Zurich, in association with the Institut Universitaire Kurt Bösch, the University of Teacher Education Central Switzerland (PHZ) and Humanrights.ch (MERS) has won a federal contract as a Swiss Competence Centre for Human Rights. The Centre will begin its work in 2011.
03.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
On 2 September 2010, the Swiss professor of international law, Helen Keller, was re-elected to the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations. Switzerland, which attaches great importance to the work of the Human Rights Committee, wishes to express its great pleasure about the election of the Swiss candidate.
01.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council has decided to request increased funds in order to continue Switzerland’s traditional aid to Eastern Europe by approving a relevant dispatch to parliament at today’s Federal Council meeting. The Federal Council requests that parliament increase the CHF 730 million in funds granted in the framework credit approved in June 2007 by CHF 290 million. This replenishment would ensure the continuation of assistance to the countries of South-Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union up until the end of 2012.
01.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) condemns the killing of four settlers on the West Bank, which took place just before direct peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians were due to resume on Thursday in Washington.
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.