Foreign policy

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will visit Japan and the People's Republic of China from 22 to 25 April 2025. The aim of this visit to Asia is to strengthen political relations and promote Switzerland's economic interests with two important partners.

Switzerland is returning confiscated illegally acquired assets to Uzbekistan. The stolen funds will now benefit the people of Uzbekistan thanks to a UN trust fund, the Uzbekistan Vision 2030 Fund, set up by Switzerland and Uzbekistan together with the UN. Among other things, this will see healthcare facilities for expectant mothers modernised at a cost of USD 43.5 million. An interview with the Ambassador of Switzerland in Tashkent, Konstantin Obolensky.

In 2023 and 2024, Switzerland held a seat on the UN Security Council. A two-year term of office marked by geopolitical tensions. In spite of these challenging conditions, Switzerland was able to make an impact and contribute to advancing its foreign policy goals. Scroll the newsticker for background information about Switzerland's Security Council activities and statements.

The Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions on the implementation of the Fourth Convention (protection of civilians in wartime) in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, will not take place. Profound differences between the high contracting parties to the Geneva Conventions emerged during an extensive consultation process. Switzerland, as the depositary state, therefore concluded that a significant number of the high contracting parties did not support such a conference, and has decided against holding one.

From the Ukraine Recovery Conference in July 2022 in Lugano to the Summit on Peace in Ukraine in June 2024 on the Bürgenstock: Switzerland is committed to a peaceful solution to the war and is fully behind the political process of Ukraine's recovery. It is also implementing a variety of measures to help support people affected by the war. More on Switzerland's work in Ukraine in the newsfeed.

On 20 February 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will mark the fifth Romansh Language Week (Emna rumantscha) in Bucharest. The event, which is a joint initiative of the FDFA, the canton of Graubünden and Lia Rumantscha, aims to showcase Switzerland's plurality abroad. Mr Cassis, who heads the FDFA, will undertake this year's celebrations as part of his official visit to Romania, one of the themes of which is minorities. Various bilateral meetings and the signing of cooperation agreements are also on the agenda. We spoke to Switzerland's ambassador to Romania, Massimo Baggi.