Press releases

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Restitution of assets to the benefit of the population of Equatorial Guinea

29.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea signed an agreement today on the restitution of CHF 22.8 million to Equatorial Guinea. The funds will be used to finance a project aimed at improving the quality of and access to primary healthcare services for vulnerable peoples in four of the Central African country's provinces. The funds returned will therefore benefit the country's population.

Ignazio Cassis reaffirms Switzerland's foreign policy priorities at 80th UN General Assembly in New York

25.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
During the high-level week of the 80th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, the FDFA highlighted its priorities: promoting peace, respecting international humanitarian law and strengthening multilateral cooperation. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, took part in several conferences and bilateral meetings, addressing topics such as Switzerland's future OSCE chairpersonship in 2026, Russia's war against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and the protection of civilians in armed conflicts.

In New York President Karin Keller-Sutter emphasises the responsibility of states to ensure security and freedom

24.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
At the opening of the General Debate at the UN in New York on Wednesday, 24 September, President Karin Keller-Sutter cited security and freedom as key values in marking the start of another new era 80 years after the founding of the UN. She also reaffirmed Switzerland's support for the UN's reform efforts.

La Suisse participe à New York à la conférence sur la solution à deux Etats et se joint à un appel demandant à Israël de lever les restrictions médicales pour les patients de Gaza (fr)

23.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
Conformément aux efforts déployés depuis longtemps par la Suisse en faveur d'une solution politique au conflit au Proche-Orient, le conseiller fédéral Ignazio Cassis a participé à New York à la conférence sur la solution à deux États. Cette conférence est une reprise de la réunion de haut-niveau tenue au mois de juillet dans le cadre de l’Assemblée générale de l’ONU sur le même sujet. En outre, la Suisse s’est jointe à une déclaration commune de plusieurs Etats pour demander à Israël de lever les restrictions sur les médicaments et les équipements médicaux, et de rouvrir le corridor d’évacuation médicale de Gaza vers la Cisjordanie, y compris Jérusalem-Est.

Presentation of credentials

18.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present their credentials

Sri Lankan parliamentary delegation visits Switzerland to discuss federalism, democracy and reconciliation

18.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
From 14 to 21 September 2025, a delegation of 12 Sri Lankan lawmakers and high-level political decision-makers, including members of the government and the opposition, is visiting Switzerland at the invitation of the FDFA. The trip was jointly organised by the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) and the Swiss embassy in Colombo, and focuses on federalism, democracy and reconciliation.

Ignazio Cassis on working visit to Vienna to discuss Swiss 2026 OSCE chairpersonship

15.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, will be in Vienna from 17 to 18 September 2025. During his visit, he will present Switzerland's priorities for its 2026 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) chairpersonship to the OSCE Permanent Council. Mr Cassis will also meet with the Austrian minister for Europe, integration and family, Ms Claudia Plakolm.

Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: Switzerland invests CHF 64 million and confirms Geneva's role as global capital of health

12.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 12 September 2025, the Federal Council decided to earmark CHF 64 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for the period 2026–28. Through this support, Switzerland is helping to save millions of lives, prevent the spread of infectious diseases and strengthen healthcare systems in the most vulnerable countries. It is also reaffirming Geneva's role as the global capital of health and a key location for multilateralism.

Karin Keller-Sutter and Ignazio Cassis to represent Switzerland at opening of 80th UN General Assembly

12.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
Bern, 12. September 2025 – At its meeting on 12 September, the Federal Council was briefed on the outcome of the consultation of the foreign affairs committees in the run-up to the upcoming 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Switzerland will be represented by President Karin Keller-Sutter and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the high-level week from 22 to 30 September 2025.

Switzerland allocates CHF 1 million to support earthquake victims in Afghanistan

03.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland has decided to allocate CHF 1 million to help those affected by the earthquake in Afghanistan. Three days after the disaster, the death toll stands at over 1,400, with 3,000 injured. The affected areas, located in the east of the country near the border with Pakistan, are difficult to access, which is complicating relief efforts.

Meeting with Ukraine's prime minister

28.08.2025 — Press releases EDA
Karin Keller-Sutter, President of the Swiss Confederation, hosted Yuliia Svyrydenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine, for a courtesy visit on 28 August 2025 in Bern. The talks focused on the peace process and the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Swiss diplomats meet in Bern to discuss foreign policy challenges

18.08.2025 — Press releases EDA
The Ambassadors and International Network Conference will take place from 18 to 22 August 2025 in Bern. This unique platform enables diplomats to exchange views on the geopolitical context and to engage with one another directly on Swiss domestic policy. The vice-president of Italy's Council of Ministers and minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Antonio Tajani, has been invited by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to attend the event.

Media (3524)

Switzerland dispatches Experts to Thailand

01.11.2011 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland is supporting Thailand in coping with the consequences of the floods. To this end, four experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) have set out for Bangkok. In addition, Swiss Humanitarian Aid has made CHF 100,000 available for projects in Thailand and Cambodia.

Conference of ministers speaks out against armed violence

31.10.2011 — Press releases EDA
Deputy prime ministers, ministers and state secretaries from over 80 countries are meeting today and tomorrow at a conference in Geneva. The goal of the meeting is to support states, international organizations and civil society in their efforts to reduce armed violence worldwide and take stock of the progress that has been achieved in this area. The meeting of ministers was jointly organised by Switzerland and the United Nations Development Programme, the former represented by Martin Dahinden, Director-General of SDC, the latter by Helen Clark.

Switzerland condemns the escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip and in the southern part of Israel

31.10.2011 — Press releases EDA
Position

President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey meets Pierre Nkurunziza, President of Burundi

25.10.2011 — Press releases EDA
President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey met Mr Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi, who is on an official visit, at the Lohn estate at Kehrsatz. Their talks were an opportunity to raise a number of matters of bilateral and multilateral interest, and to discuss Switzerland’s development cooperation and peace policy activities in the Great Lakes region.

Death of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi

20.10.2011 — Press releases EDA
Position of FDFA

Nigeria and Switzerland jointly organize a conference on migration

18.10.2011 — Press releases EDA
On 17 and 18 October 2011, the governments of Switzerland and Nigeria jointly organized a conference in Abuja, Nigeria, on the theme of South-South labour migration and its impact on development. Participants included high-ranking representatives of organizations hailing from civil society, labour unions, employers associations, and international organizations. The Swiss delegation was lead by Eduard Gnesa, Special Ambassador for International Cooperation on Migration Issues.

Upheaval in the Arab world – a turning point for Europe and Switzerland

18.10.2011 — Press releases EDA
The uprisings in the Arab world harbour opportunities but also risks. Participants in the Annual Conference of the FDFA's Political Affairs Division IV - Human Security, held today in Bern, heard at first hand how those directly concerned in the region are affected by the upheaval, how the European Union and Switzerland are responding, and what repercussions the turmoil is having on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Switzerland welcomes the release of soldier Gilad Shalit

18.10.2011 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA welcomes the release of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit following an agreement between the Israeli authorities and Hamas. Switzerland was in favour of this agreement and urged both parties repeatedly to comply with their obligations in international humanitarian law.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for a working visit in Switzerland

17.10.2011 — Press releases EDA
Today, Monday, 17 October 2011, a delegation of the Federal Council headed by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, met the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, for an official working visit. The programme included a number of UN-related topics of mutual interest. Ban Ki-moon also attended the inaugural ceremony of the 125th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union IPU in Bern.

International Law Day: Globalisation and Democracy

14.10.2011 — Press releases EDA
On 14 October 2011 the Directorate for International Law of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) held its traditional International Law Day in the Grand Council Chamber of the Canton Bern. The event focused on the effects of globalisation on the Swiss system of direct democracy. The International Law Day thus contributed to the public discussion on the importance of international law and the way in which it interacts with national law.

Switzerland welcomes the release of political prisoners in Myanmar

13.10.2011 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland welcomes the release of a large number of political prisoners in Myanmar. At the same time it calls on the Government of Myanmar to release all political prisoners quickly and unconditionally, to take further measures to build a democratic state in which the rule of law is respected, and to strengthen human rights.

Switzerland to support the United Nations Development Programme

12.10.2011 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council has today approved the allocation of CHF 54 million in support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the year 2011. UNDP is one of Switzerland’s main multilateral partners.

Other news (151)

SwissInTouch, Switzerland in your pocket

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.

Speech - 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki

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.

"Digitalisation - an opportunity for Europe's democratic values"

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.

Official opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel

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

Passaggio di testimone tra generazioni (de-fr-it)

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.

75 years of the United Nations (fr)

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

Opening of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council (fr)

24.02.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 24.02.2020 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

Discover the world with the FDFA and with peace mind

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.

Switzerland and Italy reach an agreement on Campione d'Italia

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.

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

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.

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.

Federal Council extends freeze on assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council decided to extend for one year the preventive freeze on the assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine. The purpose of this decision is to support the judicial cooperation between Switzerland and these two states.

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