COVID-19 has an impact on daily life in Switzerland and around the world. In its COVID-19 news ticker, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) outlines the main developments and information for travelling and living abroad. This information is regularly updated.

The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are particularly severe in developing countries. The FDFA has taken immediate action to mitigate the economic and health effects of the crisis there. It is providing emergency humanitarian aid, supporting international action, and focusing on the management of COVID-19 in ongoing bilateral and global development programs. Furthermore, Switzerland also provides assistance in the area of peace policy.

Poor sanitary conditions pose a health risk. This is a major problem, particularly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But even today, one third of the world's population has no adequate access to clean water. To help people living poverty protect themselves during the current pandemic, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is supporting hygiene awareness campaigns and the creation of more handwashing stations.

Discussions on the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on low-income countries have gained considerable momentum. Remittances from migrants and wider diaspora communities to their countries of origin are a key issue in this respect. Switzerland is therefore launching an appeal to keep remittance channels open and give the poorest communities continued access to these vital sources of income.

'International Humanitarian Law: What does Switzerland do?' On 18 November 2020, the FDFA, the DDPS, the Red Cross and the Swiss parliament will debate this question at a virtual round table discussion open to the public. It will offer an opportunity to recall Switzerland's long humanitarian tradition, to present good practices developed by the country, and to identify the many challenges left to tackle.

Central America was hit hard by hurricane Eta. Switzerland is providing CHF 700,000 in emergency aid to help people in Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala.

Swiss humanitarian assistance is being delivered across the border to Eastern Ukraine for the twelfth time, despite the war and additional challenges related to COVID-19. Everything is in short supply there. Dietrich Dreyer, programme officer at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC, explains why delivery of this humanitarian aid is even more difficult and urgent than normal due to the coronavirus crisis.

Haiti is highly vulnerable to extreme climatic events. When Tropical Storm Laura struck the country last August, it caused considerable damage and loss of life. In Jacmel, in the south-east of the country, the SDC is carrying out a project to reduce the risks associated with such events. The work has helped protect a school as well as an entire neighbourhood. We spoke to an expert at the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) who worked on the project.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received in Bern the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Tomáš Petříček. European politics, international issues and intense relations between the two countries – characterized by excellent economic relations and close cultural and social ties – marked the meeting between the two foreign ministers.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis participated as official speaker at the investiture of the captains regent of San Marino, a traditional ceremony that has been handed down unaltered since 1243. Mr Cassis is the first federal councillor to take part in this capacity.

In 2020, Switzerland celebrates a hundred years of its diplomatic presence in Iran. Ambassador Markus Leitner emphasises the good relations, multi-sectoral exchanges and trust between the two countries.

For weeks, the Swiss border with neighbouring countries has been closed. Now, developments in the containment of COVID-19 have made it possible to reopen the borders. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis is underscoring the importance of this step for border regions with meetings in Chiasso, Kreuzlingen and Geneva. From 16 to 26 June, he will be meeting with representatives of Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein, Germany and France. "The crisis has shown how important open borders are," he said.

Switzerland is a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Elections for the 2023–24 period will be held in June 2022. The candidacy entered its final phase with a virtual event in New York attended by the president of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the largest humanitarian organisation fighting hunger, providing aid to some 80 million people every year. The WFP is one of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation's (SDC) most important partner organisations in the fight against hunger and the promotion of peace and security in conflict regions. The WFP has now been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts.

The OSCE nomination process for the appointment of the Secretary General and the three heads of institutions ended at midnight on 18 September 2020. To enable the OSCE, which is currently in the midst of an institutional crisis, to reach a consensus on its new Secretary General, the FDFA has decided, in agreement with Ambassador Thomas Greminger, not to present a new candidature for this post.

At Switzerland's initiative, the Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests. In addition, Switzerland has submitted a resolution with partner states on the 15th anniversary of the Responsibility to Protect in order to renew the 2005 commitment of the international community to preventing the worst crimes.

The FDFA advises caution and preparation when travelling during the summer holidays. Information on the regulations of the country of destination as well as on the rules for returning to Switzerland are prerequisites.

Summer is here! Switzerland offers many opportunities to spend the summer holidays, especially with children. However, if you still want to travel abroad with children this summer, it is important to find out about the entry requirements for the destination country before you leave. In the case of minor children travelling with only one parent or without a legal guardian, it is strongly recommended to draw up a declaration of consent.

Significant steps have been taken in the Middle East to improve the employment and living conditions of migrant workers. Recent reforms in Qatar, Lebanon and Jordan supporting policies that respect human rights are a result of international cooperation carried out over the years by governments, international organisations and NGOs. For Switzerland this confirms that its projects and teamwork on the ground have been effective.

In many countries no statistics and consequently no data – such as on the situation of vulnerable populations – exist. This makes it difficult to measure the effectiveness and progress of sustainable development globally. This is why Switzerland and the UN are holding the World Data Forum. Jacques Ducrest, one of the Federal Council's delegates for the 2030 Agenda, believes globally applicable standards for data and statistics can also help to combat pandemics.

The 2030 Agenda encourages the public, private and civil society sectors to become actively involved in the dialogue on sustainable development. This year's edition of Rendez-vous Bundesplatz answers the call with a light show that will transform the Federal Palace into Planet Hope. SDC specialists cross national borders, putting their expertise and resources to work to carry out a variety of projects to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

In an interview with the Swiss newspaper Blick, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, speaks about Switzerland's International Cooperation Strategy 2021–24, which was adopted by Parliament on 21 September 2020. Mr Cassis says that the new strategy is clearer, more measurable and more transparent, making it a success for the FDFA, and also lays out the two possible scenarios for Switzerland's EU policy depending on the outcome of the federal popular initiative 'For moderate immigration' (Limitation Initiative) on 27 September.

The United Nations celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2020. As the UN General Assembly opens its 75th annual session, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has in a video message paid tribute to the work done by the UN – notably in the fight against the pandemic – and acknowledged the organisation's fundamental role in shaping the future.

The 75th session of the UN General Assembly opens on 15 September. The session opens with the High Level Week, which is taking place online for the first time. Switzerland has four priorities: addressing the consequences of COVID-19, UN reform, cybersecurity and digital governance, and International Geneva.

In line with its Sustainable Development Strategy, Switzerland builds and manages its properties around the world according to modern sustainability standards. The most recent example is the Swiss embassy in Zimbabwe's capital Harare. A new solar system supplies the embassy with energy and enables it to operate without one of the emergency power generators that are ubiquitous in Harare.

A well-functioning external network is key to providing assistance to Swiss nationals abroad, maintaining relations with the countries concerned and safeguarding Switzerland's interests. A crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic puts enormous pressure on Switzerland's external network. Flexibility, innovation and solidarity allow Switzerland's representations abroad to continue to work effectively. Swiss external network staff share their experiences.

In a live chat hosted by the newspaper 20 Minuten, Federal Councillor Cassis answered readers' questions on the Limitation Initiative. Adoption of the initiative to limit immigration would damage Switzerland as a business location, he said.

Some 25 years on from the Srebrenica massacre, the question arises of what we have learnt from the past and how such atrocities can be prevented in the future. Examining our history is also important for Swiss domestic and foreign policy going forward. This article by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis was published in the NZZ on Saturday, 11 July 2020.

Claude Altermatt, the Swiss Ambassador in Minsk, talks about bilateral relations between Switzerland and Belarus and the importance of the opening of the Embassy.

At the beginning of every year, the Federal Council publishes the foreign policy report, in which it summarises and reviews the key foreign policy events of the past 12 months. 2019 saw polarising movements like Fridays for Future and the mass protests in Hong Kong, while the rivalry between major global players such as the United States, China and Russia intensified. How was Switzerland able to assert itself against this backdrop?

There are currently more than 150 Swiss experts working to promote peace around the globe. This includes 15 police officers taking part in international missions in countries facing precarious security situations or undergoing reconstruction. At present, they are on mission in Mali, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Somalia.

On 14 September 2020, several political parties in Georgia have signed a code of conduct to promote peaceful elections and a fair election campaign. Switzerland encourages all political parties to sign this document. The code was facilitated by Georgia's Central Election Commission with Switzerland's support. The parliamentary elections scheduled for 31 October 2020 constitute an important milestone for democracy in the South Caucasus nation.

Over the past few years, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has implemented projects with Islamic Relief Worldwide. Due to the fact that the NGO has been criticised for previous anti-Semitic statements, the FDFA has analysed the situation. The review concludes that the management of the organisation has reacted quickly and distanced itself from antisemitic statements. The joint projects have been operationally completed.

On 12 August 2020 the Federal Council passed a voluntary report on the implementation of international humanitarian law by Switzerland. In doing so, Switzerland wants to set an example and encourage other states to take similar initiatives. This would enhance the inter-state dialogue with the aim of better protecting the victims of armed conflicts worldwide.

Maddalena from Caslano, Mattia from Tesserete, Elisa from Mendrisiotto, Nicolò from Malcantone: a host of voices from Italian-speaking Switzerland can be heard at the FDFA during the Week of the Italian Language in the World, an initiative promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, taking place between 19 and 25 October. Switzerland's third national language shines beyond its borders, reaching various countries around the world.

Livia Leu, who is currently Switzerland's ambassador in Paris, will assume the leadership of the Directorate for European Affairs (DEA) with immediate effect and will take up the post of chief negotiator for negotiations with the EU. She will receive the title of State Secretary. The Federal Council also agreed to adjustments to the structure of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). From 1 January, the European Affairs and Political Affairs directorates will be merged under a single State Secretariat headed by Livia Leu as the FDFA State Secretary.

Friday afternoon the French authorities informed the Swiss authorities that the Swiss hostage in Mali is dead. She was apparently killed by kidnappers of the Islamist terrorist organization Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslim (JNIM) about a month ago.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs – an Italian speaker from the canton of Ticino – met today with government representatives of the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Mr Cassis and members of the Council of State of the canton of Ticino and representatives of the government of Graubünden discussed, among other matters, the current coronavirus situation, cross-border relations, relations with the EU, and the promotion of multilingualism and the language and culture of Switzerland's Italian-speaking population.