All news (3231)
Post-earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria: Switzerland provides CHF 8,5 million for affected population
20.03.2023
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Press release
EDA
The Swiss Confederation is extending its support to the populations of the earthquake-hit regions of Turkey and Syria. At the international donors' conference in Brussels, held to secure support for the people of Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquakes, Manuel Bessler, the Federal Council's delegate for humanitarian aid, announced that Switzerland would contribute CHF 8,5 million towards relief efforts in the affected areas.
Plan agreed in Geneva for the release of prisoners of war in Yemen
20.03.2023
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Press release
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes the positive outcome of the negotiations that were held in the canton of Bern. The plan, agred this afternoon at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, was concluded thanks to facilitation by the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Switzerland supports the UN peace process in Yemen as part of its good offices policy.
SDC prolongs support for Kantha Bopha children's hospitals in Cambodia for five more years
17.03.2023
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Press release
EDA
The Kantha Bopha children's hospitals, founded by Dr Beat Richner in 1992, have made a major contribution to improving the health system in Cambodia over the past 30 years. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has backed these efforts since the very beginning and will continue to support the hospitals until 2027. On March 17, 2023, SDC Director General Patricia Danzi signed an agreement to this effect with the Kantha Bopha Foundation.
New Swiss ambassadors
17.03.2023
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Press release
EDA
A number of staff changes and conferments of ambassadorial titles have been announced for 2023 for several Swiss representations abroad and at the head office of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) as part of the usual transfer rotation and on the basis of appointments made by the Federal Council at its meeting on March 17, 2023.
Foreign policy, economic affairs, human rights: FDFA State Secretary Livia Leu holds political consultations in South Africa
09.03.2023
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Press release
EDA
The state secretary of the FDFA, Livia Leu, met with South Africa's deputy minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, in Pretoria today for political consultations. The focus was on foreign policy issues as well as bilateral matters in the areas of business, human rights and education, research and innovation. South Africa is a priority country of the Federal Council's Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23 and Switzerland’s most important economic partner in Africa.
Switzerland pledges 15 million francs to the Bamboo-UNCDF Initiative for the Least Developed (BUILD) Fund
09.03.2023
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Press release
EDA
Private Sector Engagement (PSE) is highlighted in the Swiss International Cooperation Strategy 2021–24 as an important modality to achieve sustainable development and poverty reduction. As part of the ambition to partner with the private sector in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) committed 15 million Swiss francs for the Bamboo-UNCDF Initiative for the Least Developed (BUILD) Fund.
'Francesca Pometta' room in Federal Palace to celebrate the history of women diplomats
07.03.2023
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Press release
EDA
Francesca Pometta, of Ticino origin, was the first Swiss woman to be appointed ambassador. She was a trailblazer who paved the way for women in the Swiss diplomatic service – and the number of women diplomats has been growing ever since. A room in the Federal Palace West, which houses the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), now bears her name. The inauguration took place on 7 March on the occasion of International Women's Day in the presence of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.
UN Commission on the Status of Women: Switzerland highlights importance of digitalisation for gender equality
06.03.2023
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Press release
EDA
The 67th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) opens on 6 March 2023 in New York with the theme 'Innovation and technological change – education in the digital age'. Switzerland's particular focus is on initiatives to promote women's and girls' access to technology and innovation, and to guard against cyber violence. The president of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, will be heading the Swiss delegation and will speak at the CSW on 6 March. On 7 March, he will deliver a speech to the UN Security Council on women, peace and security.
House of Switzerland in northern Italy – at the heart of the Alps and our national interests
03.03.2023
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Press release
EDA
At its meeting of 3 March 2023, the Federal Council has decided to capitalise on the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina as a platform to promote Switzerland and its national interests. Northern Italy is one of Switzerland's most important neighbouring regions in economic terms. The House of Switzerland will focus on sustainability and innovation as well as the Alps as a common living and economic space.
Chile's Foreign Minister Antonia Urrejola in Switzerland for official visit
01.03.2023
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received the Chilean Foreign Minister Antonia Urrejola Noguera today in Murten, canton of Fribourg, for an official working visit. The discussions focused on bilateral relations, particularly economic relations, as well as cooperation in environmental, multilateral and other matters.
Ignazio Cassis opens UN Human Rights Council on anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and war in Ukraine
27.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, opened the 52nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva today. In his speech, he reiterated his strong condemnation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and massive violation of human rights, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Switzerland pledges CHF 14.5 million for humanitarian aid in Yemen in 2023
27.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis opened the high-level donor conference on the crisis in Yemen in Geneva today, together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Sweden's Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell. He announced CHF 14.5 million in financial support for humanitarian aid on the ground. After years of war, the people of Yemen are facing extremely dire living conditions.
