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Federal Council adopts second voluntary report on international humanitarian law implementation by Switzerland

23.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 23 October 2024, the Federal Council adopted Switzerland's second voluntary report on its implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL), against a very different global backdrop from when the first report was published. The implementation of IHL is essential in order to preserve a minimum of humanity in armed conflicts. Switzerland's commitment to IHL remains steadfast despite today's changing world.

New Swiss ambassadors

23.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
A number of staff changes and conferments of ambassadorial titles have been announced for several Swiss representations abroad in 2024/2025, at the head office of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, as part of the FDFA's periodic transfer rotation and on the basis of appointments made by the Federal Council.

Presentation of credentials

22.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present credentials

UN Security Council: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis chairs meeting on the opportunities and risks that new technologies pose for peace

18.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
On 21 October 2024, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will chair a UN Security Council meeting on the impact of scientific developments on international peace and security. Rapid advances in new technologies bring great opportunities, but also risks, which need to be identified early to facilitate appropriate responses. 'Building sustainable peace' is one of Switzerland's priorities for its two-year Security Council membership (2023–24).

Humanitarian mine clearance: Confederation establishes comprehensive partnership with Ukraine’s civil protection service and Swiss mine clearance company

17.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
In order to reduce the danger posed by mines and other explosive ordnance in Ukraine, the Swiss government is supporting Ukraine’s civil protection service through a partnership with the Swiss company Global Clearance Solutions (GCS). The partnership involves supplying three mine clearance systems to Ukraine alongside a comprehensive training, mentoring and logistics package. The package, which amounts to CHF 4.6 million, is being funded by the federal government and underlines the importance of humanitarian mine clearance for the country’s recovery.

International appeal for humanitarian demining in Ukraine adopted in Lausanne

17.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
The first day of the Ukraine Mine Action Conference 2024 ended today with the presentation of the Lausanne Call for Action, which reaffirms the support of the majority of the countries present for humanitarian demining in Ukraine and around the world. The appeal calls for the needs of victims and disabled people to be addressed and promoting partnership and innovation to increase effectiveness in mine action. The conference, held in Lausanne at the EHL Hospitality Business School, brings together representatives of states, international organisations and partners in humanitarian demining.

FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel holds political consultations with Brazil

15.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
Alexandre Fasel, the state secretary of the FDFA, met with the deputy foreign minister of Brazil, Maria Laura da Rocha, in Brasilia. The political consultations centred on bilateral relations, issues relating to economic and security policy, respect for human rights and cooperation to protect the environment.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attends annual foreign ministers' meeting of German-speaking countries in Luxembourg

14.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
The foreign ministers of the five German-speaking countries met today in Luxembourg to discuss cross-border and multilateral cooperation. They also discussed the role of the United Nations Security Council, which Switzerland is chairing for the second time this October, in the current geopolitical context.

Seagoing vessels flying the Swiss flag: Federal Council relaxes regulations

09.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
The hurdles for registering a ship under the Swiss flag are high. To enable more ships to sail under the Swiss flag, the Federal Council relaxed the registration requirements at its meeting on 27 September 2024. The corresponding ordinances have been amended, as part of the planned revision of maritime shipping legislation.

Federal Council proposes to allocate CHF 7 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon and Syria

09.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
In view of the humanitarian impact of the escalating violence in the Middle East, the Federal Council decided at its meeting on 9 October 2024 to allocate an additional CHF 7 million in aid for Lebanon and Syria. This sum will be taken from the funds set aside for emergency aid by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). In line with Parliament's decision in December 2023, the foreign affairs committees will be consulted on this decision. These funds are in addition to the CHF 79 million allocated for humanitarian operations in the Middle East in 2024.

Humanitarian demining in Ukraine: Federal Council reinforces cooperation with the Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD)

09.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
The Swiss government is to provide CHF 30 million to support the work of the Geneva-based Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD) in Ukraine until 2027. The decision, which was made at the Federal Council's meeting on 9 October 2024, underscores the importance of humanitarian demining in Ukraine's reconstruction.

Successful election: Switzerland to take a seat on the UN Human Rights Council for the 2025–27 term

09.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland was elected today to the UN Human Rights Council by the UN General Assembly in New York with 175 votes. It will serve as a member of the UN's most important intergovernmental human rights body for three years starting in early 2025.

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Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to visit Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil

31.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will visit Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil from 3 to 7 February 2025. As part of its Americas Strategy 2022–25, Switzerland aims to strengthen its political relations with the countries of the Americas in the areas of foreign policy, the economy, innovation and culture. The agenda for the trip includes the finalisation of the EFTA-Mercosur free trade agreement, Switzerland's economic interests, and bilateral relations between Switzerland and these three Latin American countries.

2030 Agenda implementation: FDFA assesses progress at federal and cantonal levels and in organisations

30.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
Every four years, Switzerland presents to the other UN member states how it is progressing in implementing the 2030 Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In its country report, which will be presented in mid-2026, it will also draw on information from the cantons, communes and organisations from the business community, the financial centre, academia and civil society. All relevant actors have until the end of May 2025 to submit details of their activities via the 'SDGital2030' digital platform.

Development cooperation: FDFA and EAER implement Parliament's decisions

29.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its 29 January 2025 meeting, the Federal Council was informed about how the cuts to development cooperation decided on by Parliament will be implemented. In late December, Parliament made cuts of CHF 110 million to the 2025 budget and CHF 321 million to the 2026–28 financial plan for bilateral and multilateral development cooperation. The cuts do not affect humanitarian aid, peace promotion or support for Ukraine.

Negotiating mandate for recognition of electronic signatures

29.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
Electronic signatures on documents should be recognised in Switzerland and in the European Union (EU). At its meeting on 29 January 2025, the Federal Council instructed the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) to draw up a corresponding mandate for negotiating with the EU, in collaboration with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

Swiss expert becomes Special Representative of the OSCE chairperson-in-office on South Caucasus

24.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
The chairperson-in-office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Finland's foreign minister Elina Valtonen, has appointed Christoph Späti as the Special Representative of the Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship for the South Caucasus. The Swiss expert, who most recently served as programme manager for the South Caucasus in the FDFA's Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD), took up the post of Special Representative on 21 January 2025.

Ignazio Cassis highlights Europe, Ukraine and the Middle East at Davos 2025

23.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
At the 2025 edition of the World Economic Forum, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, placed particular emphasis on European policy and the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East. He also raised matters relating to security and cooperation, particularly as Switzerland prepares to chair the OSCE in 2026.

Switzerland and Ukraine launch private sector partnership for reconstruction

23.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 23 January, at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland and Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding the role of Swiss businesses operating in Ukraine in the country's recovery. The MoU was signed by Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko.

Official working visit by Vice Premier of the State Affairs Council of the People's Republic of China, Mr Ding Xuexiang

20.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 20 January 2025, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Vice President of the Federal Council and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), welcomed Mr Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of the State Affairs Council of the People's Republic of China, in Bern for an official working visit. Switzerland and the People's Republic of China are currently celebrating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

Programme of members of the Federal Council attending the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting

17.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
The 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum will take place in Davos next week. Six members of the Federal Council will be attending the event. President Karin Keller-Sutter will open the event together with WEF founder Prof. Klaus Schwab on Tuesday, 21 January.

Presentation of credentials

14.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present credentials

Switzerland to chair the OSCE in 2026

30.12.2024 — Press releases EDA
In 2026, Switzerland will chair the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for the third time, following its chairpersonships in 1996 and 2014. Switzerland was elected by the participating states of the organisation in a secret ballot. It will assume first executive functions already from 1 January 2025: as a member of the troika – comprising the 2024 (Malta), 2025 (Finland) and 2026 (Switzerland) chairs – it will be responsible for relations with the Mediterranean states, among other things.

Federal Council adopts its new Africa Strategy 2025–28

20.12.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 20 December 2024, the Federal Council adopted its new Africa strategy. For the first time, the strategy covers all regions of the continent, setting out objectives and measures that Switzerland intends to implement in the 2025–28 period. The strategy prioritises peace and security, prosperity and competitiveness, the environment, and democracy and governance. It also sets out the objective of building relations with African countries using a partnership-based approach to cooperation.

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.

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