Press releases

All news (3734)

Migration – A motor of development? !

16.10.2009 — Press releases EDA
Can migration be a driving force behind development? The latest report on human development published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) delves into this very issue. The report points out how migration can be better utilized in reaching development goals. Cognizant of the major role migration plays in development policy, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is strengthening its previous commitment within the scope of a Global Programme.

Investments in Agriculture: Opportunities and Risks for Food Security

15.10.2009 — Press releases EDA
Are large-scale investments in agricultural land in the countries of the South an opportunity for food security or do they instead represent a risk? This is the issue that will be addressed by domestic and foreign experts at a scientific symposium scheduled to be held in Bern on 15 October 2009 on the eve of World Food Day (16 October).

Dealing with the past: essential for all peace processes

15.10.2009 — Press releases EDA
Failure to adequately deal with the past can revive conflicts. Switzerland seeks to prevent the resurgence of conflict through its global commitment to helping post-conflict societies make amends. At the annual conference of the FDFA’s Political Affairs Division IV: Human Security, which took place in Bern today, the responsibility of the State was highlighted from various angles. Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay, the Head of the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict Richard Goldstone and other local and foreign dignitaries attended this public gathering, which drew over 450 participants.

Micheline Calmy-Rey visits Kirghizstan

09.10.2009 — Press releases EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), who arrived yesterday in Bishkek, was today received by the Prime Minister Igor Chudinov and subsequently met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baktygul Kalambekova.

Signing of Protocols between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey in Zurich

09.10.2009 — Press releases EDA
A ceremony to mark the signing of the Protocols between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey will take place tomorrow in Zurich. Armenia’s Foreign Minister, Edouard Nalbandian, and Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, will sign the Protocols in the presence of Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey. The signing ceremony will also be attended by US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, the French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner, the Slovenian Foreign Minister and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Samuel Zbogar, and the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, Javier Solana. The signing is the culmination of a mediation process on the part of Switzerland initiated at the request of the parties.

Head of the FDFA visits Uzbekistan

08.10.2009 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey was received yesterday by the President of Uzbekistan, Mr. Islam Karimov, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Vladimir Norov. Discussions focussed on bilateral relations and cooperation within multilateral organisations.

New Swiss Embassy in Kazakhstan inaugurated by the head of the FDFA

07.10.2009 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey was in Kazakhstan on Wednesday on the third leg of her trip to Central Asia. After having been received by Mr. Karim Massimov, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, and by Mr. Kanat Saudabaïev, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the head of the FDFA inaugurated the new Swiss Embassy in Astana

Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey holds political talks in Douchanbé

06.10.2009 — Press releases EDA
On the second stage of her visit to Central Asia, the head of the FDFA was welcomed by the president of Tajikistan Emomali Rachmon. In the course of her talks with her counterpart foreign minister Mr Hamrokhon Zarifi, she discussed several projects that the two countries have carried out jointly, especially in the area of water management.

The Head of the FDFA commenced her tour of Central Asia with meetings in Turkmenistan

05.10.2009 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey was welcomed to Ashgabat today by the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov. The discussions centred on bilateral relations, the political situation in the region and on the role of Turkmenistan in the energy field.

The Head of the FDFA travels to Central Asia for official working visits

03.10.2009 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey will leave for Central Asia on Sunday to conduct a series of official working visits. She will travel to Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan where she will be meeting with various governmental representatives of these Central Asian Republics.

Statement by the FDFA on an article in

02.10.2009 — Press releases EDA

Earthquake in Indonesia: Switzerland sends Swiss rescue

02.10.2009 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland has responded to an international appeal by the Indonesian government by sending a team of seven experts to Sumatra, Indonesia, to prepare the subsequent measures by Swiss Rescue. From Friday 2 October probably about 120 Swiss Rescue specialists will be deployed in Indonesia.

Media (3434)

Presentation of credentials

18.03.2025 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present credentials.

Conference on the protection and promotion of national minorities in Switzerland

17.03.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 17 March 2025, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider opened the fifth conference in Bern on the protection and promotion of national minorities in Switzerland. The event provided a platform for exchange between Swiss authorities, the Council of Europe, minority and non-governmental organisations plus the scientific community. The main focus was on embedding Italian and Romansh more deeply in everyday life, protecting the itinerant lifestyle of the Swiss Yenish and Sinti as well as stronger measures against racism and intolerance in education.

Syrian crisis: Switzerland pledges CHF 60 million to support future of Syria and countries in region

17.03.2025 — Press releases EDA
The direction of future developments in Syria remains uncertain since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on 8 December 2024. In view of the scale of needs there, Switzerland reaffirms its support. At the Ninth Brussels Conference on Syria, held by the EU on 17 March 2025, the director general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Patricia Danzi, announced a contribution of CHF 60 million.

Review of Switzerland's UN Security Council seat

14.03.2025 — Press releases EDA
At the Federal Council meeting of 14 March 2025, the FDFA reported on Switzerland's first membership of the UN Security Council (2023–24), 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.

Federal Council decides to impose additional freeze on assets of Bashar al-Assad's entourage

07.03.2025 — Press releases EDA
During its meeting on 7 March 2025, the Federal Council decided to impose an additional freeze on the assets of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his entourage. The Assad government fell last December after 24 years of rule. With this measure, the Federal Council wants to ensure that, regardless of developments in the area of sanctions, no funds of the former Assad government can flow out of Switzerland.

Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider travels to New York for the UN Commission on the Status of Women

06.03.2025 — Press releases EDA
The 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will open in New York on 10 March. This edition is of particular significance as it marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, currently the most comprehensive international plan to strengthen gender equality and the rights of women and girls. The Swiss delegation will be led by Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, the minister responsible for gender equality.

The Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions scheduled for 7 March will not take place

06.03.2025 — Press releases EDA
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.

Business, innovation and sustainability: the International Cooperation Forum 2025 debates the future of international cooperation

28.02.2025 — Press releases EDA
The fourth International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum), which focused economic development, ended today at ETH Zurich. Participants including federal councillors Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis discussed the importance of local initiatives and cooperation between the private and public sectors. The IC Award was also presented to three Swiss companies for their innovations in the field of development cooperation. Over 1,500 people took part in the forum, both in person and online.

Europe, Ukraine, multilateralism, BRICS: Federal Council approves Foreign Policy Report 2024

26.02.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 26 February 2025, the Federal Council approved the Foreign Policy Report 2024. The report sets out the progress that has been made in achieving the 28 objectives of the Foreign Policy Strategy 2024–27. A special thematic focus section examines the influence of the BRICS group of states (including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) on the world order and outlines Switzerland's strategy for relations with those states.

Economic development takes centre stage at the International Cooperation Forum 2025 in Zurich

25.02.2025 — Press releases EDA
The fourth edition of the International Cooperation Forum Switzerland (IC Forum) will take place at ETH Zurich on 27 and 28 February 2025. Together with representatives from politics, business, research, philanthropy and NGOs, federal councillors Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis will be looking for innovative ways to promote economic development in developing and partner countries. More than 1,500 people from over 120 countries are expected to attend in Zurich or participate online.

Human rights – the bedrock of our society

24.02.2025 — Press releases EDA
In Geneva this Monday, the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) has begun its 58th session with Switzerland back in the Council, and chaired for the first time by a Swiss diplomat. During the high-level segment, opened by the head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the head of Swiss diplomacy urged states to act with unity and determination to ensure respect for human rights, eighty years after the creation of the United Nations.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis signs five cooperation agreements with Romania

21.02.2025 — Press releases EDA
During his official visit to Romania from 19 to 21 February 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis reinforced Swiss-Romanian bilateral cooperation by signing five implementation agreements for programmes under Switzerland's second contribution to selected member states of the European Union (EU). He also highlighted the importance of promoting linguistic and cultural minorities by taking part, alongside the Romanian authorities, in an event and a debate as part of Romansh Language Week (Emna rumantscha).

Other news (300)

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

SDC Newsletter: Africa, CO2 reduction and WEF

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.

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.

Honeyland Oscar nominee

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).

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.

FDFA

News

Press releases

Press releases

All news (3734)

Media (3434)

Other news (300)

Links

Information for the media

Contact