Press releases

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Federal Council requests CHF 13 million for humanitarian aid in Middle East

27.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 27 September 2024, the Federal Council took a decision concerning the final instalment of the credit for humanitarian operations in the Middle East. A total of CHF 13 million will be used to support national and international organisations working in the region. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has been instructed to consult the foreign affairs committees. In this context, the FDFA informed the Federal Council about how it intends to implement Parliament's decision to reduce the humanitarian credit for 2024. The Federal Council reiterates its call for a diplomatic solution that upholds international humanitarian law and leads to de-escalation and peace in the Middle East.

SDG Flag Day in Lugano: Cities play a key role in implementing sustainable development goals

25.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Since 2019, SDG Flag Day has been held every year on 25 September on the initiative of the business community (via the UN Global Compact). Schools, communes, organisations, companies and governments fly flags to symbolically express their support for the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the SDG Flag Day event in Lugano, the two Federal Council delegates for the 2030 Agenda, Markus Reubi and Daniel Dubas, emphasised the key role of cities in implementing the 2030 Agenda.

Statement by the President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd at the UN Security Council

25.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Statement by the President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), at the UN Security Council, open debate ‘Leadership for Peace’, New York, Wednesday, 25 September 2024.

President Amherd emphasises Switzerland’s commitment to peace and calls for strengthening of multilateralism in New York

24.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
In her speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, 24 September, President Viola Amherd focused on peacebuilding and international humanitarian law. She emphasised Switzerland's commitment to strong and effective multilateralism.

Switzerland hosts Ukraine Mine Action Conference 2024 in Lausanne

16.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
On 17 and 18 October 2024, the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) will be held at the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne. The aim of the conference, which is being co-organised with Ukraine, is to highlight the critical importance of humanitarian demining as part of the country's social and economic recovery. The conference by Lake Geneva will bring together representatives from governments, international organisations, humanitarian demining and civil society.

President of the Confederation Viola Amherd and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to represent Switzerland at opening of the 79th UN General Assembly

13.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 13 September 2024, the Federal Council was briefed on the outcome of the consultation of the foreign affairs committees in the run-up to the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to New York where they will represent Switzerland during the high-level opening week of the 79th UN General Assembly from 22 to 25 September 2024.

Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam: Switzerland dispatches six experts and allocates 1 million Swiss francs

12.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland is offering assistance to Vietnam, the South East Asian country devastated by Typhoon Yagi. Today, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is deploying six specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit to Vietnam. The SDC has also made available 1 million Swiss francs to assist the affected population.

Ignazio Cassis meets with officials of Cantons of Ticino and Graubünden in heart of Switzerland

06.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
A trilateral meeting between Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, and the State Councils of Ticino and Graubünden took place today in Schwyz, as part of the regular policy dialogue established with the two Cantons of Italian- and Romansch-speaking Switzerland. Mr Cassis chose a symbolic location, in the heart of Switzerland, for this exchange. Discussions focused on topics of common interest, in particular cross-border relations and the promotion of multilingualism, as well as on the situation in the Mesolcina and Alta Vallemaggia, where the weather caused major damage this summer.

Marianne Jenni appointed new director general of the FDFA's consular directorate

04.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Bern, 04.09.2024 – At its meeting on 4 September 2024, the Federal Council appointed Marianne Jenni as the new director general of the FDFA's Consular Directorate (CD). Marianne Jenni, currently serving as the Swiss ambassador to Ecuador, will assume her new post on 1 January 2025. She succeeds David Grichting, who was appointed director general of the FDFA's Directorate for Resources in early June 2024.

Jacques Gerber appointed Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine

04.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Bern, 04.09.2024 – At its meeting on 4 September 2024, the Federal Council appointed Jacques Gerber to act as Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine. Mr Gerber, who is currently councillor of state for the canton of Jura, will carry out preparatory work for and manage the Federal Council's consolidated 'Ukraine country programme'. The 51-year-old will take up his new post on 1 January 2025.

Swiss embassy in Baghdad reopens

03.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland reopened its embassy in Iraq today, 33 years after closing its previous representation due to the 1991 Gulf War. By reopening the embassy, the Federal Council aims to strengthen bilateral relations with the populous country and deepen cooperation in economic, security and migration matters. This move also fulfils an objective of the Federal Council's MENA Strategy 2021–24.

Presentation of credentials

03.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present credentials

Media (3435)

New Swiss ambassadors

21.03.2025 — Press releases EDA
As part of the FDFA's periodic transfer rotation and on the basis of appointments made by the Federal Council, personnel changes and the conferment of ambassadorial titles will take place in 2025 at several Swiss representations and at the head office of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) at the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP).

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.

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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