Here you can find the last 12 media releases and other news published by the FDFA, such as statements, announcements and articles, in chronological order.
All media releases can be found on the Administarions's website.
07.06.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 7 June, the Federal Council decided to continue supporting Ukraine in the areas of digitalisation and e-governance, approving CHF 58.7 million for this purpose over the next four years. Switzerland is thus promoting democratic reforms in Ukraine through digitalisation and at the same time increasing the transparency of state-provided services. Both areas are of crucial importance for Ukraine to rebuild.
07.06.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The Summit on Peace in Ukraine will take place on 15 and 16 June 2024 at the Bürgenstock resort in the canton of Nidwalden. A major security operation is in place to ensure the safety of the event and those attending. At its meeting on 7 June 2024, the Federal Council decided to consider the summit an 'extraordinary event'. This means that the Confederation will contribute to the security costs borne by the canton of Nidwalden.
07.06.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council appointed David Grichting as the new head of the Directorate for Resources (DR) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in its meeting on 7 June 2024. David Grichting currently heads the FDFA’s Consular Directorate (CD). He will take up his new post on 1 January 2025 succeeding to Tania Cavassini, who has been appointed ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco by the Federal Council. The FDFA will appoint a selection committee to
to evaluate candidates to succeed David Grichting.
07.06.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Erika Schläppi of Switzerland has been elected to an initial maiden term on the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women for 2025–28. She will be the second Swiss woman to serve in this capacity.
07.06.2024
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Press releases
EDA
La Suisse a été élue pour la quatrième fois après 2010, 2014 et 2019, en tant que membre du Conseil économique et social des Nations unies (ECOSOC). Elle y siègera en 2025 et 2026. L’ECOSOC est l’un des principaux organes de l’ONU dans le domaine du développement durable.
04.06.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Heavy rain has caused flooding in northern Armenia, leading to considerable loss of life and destruction of property. Water and mud levels reached almost two metres in some areas and destroyed a large number of homes and infrastructure. At the request of the Armenian authorities, Switzerland is deploying specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit to the affected areas. In particular, they will be responsible for assessing the structural soundness of bridges and other infrastructure. Switzerland has earmarked up to CHF 500,000 to support efforts on the ground.
27.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On 27 May 2024, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received Bakary Yaou Sangaré, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad of the Republic of Niger, in Bern. The official working visit took place within the context of the long-standing relations of friendship and cooperation between Switzerland and Niger. The talks focused on the prospects for normalisation in Niger and the challenges facing the region.
27.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The Syrian population is still suffering from the consequences of the ongoing conflict that began in 2011, and these are also being felt in neighbouring countries. Switzerland reaffirmed its commitment by pledging CHF 60 million at the 8th Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region on 27 May 2024.
24.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On 24 May 2024, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution for the protection of humanitarian and UN personnel in conflict zones. The resolution, which was negotiated and submitted by Switzerland to the Security Council for a vote, highlights the country's long-standing commitment to the protection of civilians – a priority of the Federal Council for Switzerland's 2023–24 term on the council.
23.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel met with Türkiye's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mehmet Kemal Bozay in Ankara on 22 May 2024. The talks focused on bilateral relations, human rights, regional developments, European integration and the war against Ukraine.
22.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 22 May 2024, the Federal Council decided to support the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with a total amount of CHF 49.5 million between 2025 and 2027. IFAD's overarching goal is to drive forward the fight against poverty and hunger in rural areas. The Federal Council's decision continues Switzerland's support for IFAD, which has been ongoing since 1978.
22.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 22 May 2024, the Federal Council adopted the Dispatch on the International Cooperation Strategy 2025–28 (IC Strategy 2025–28). The dispatch outlines the objectives and priorities of Switzerland's international cooperation for the next four years and proposes them to Parliament for approval. The IC Strategy 2025–28 provides for a budget of CHF 11.27 billion over four years. In light of an ever-changing world, the strategy pursues long-term objectives – combating poverty and promoting sustainable development – while maintaining a high degree of flexibility to respond to the many current crises.
07.06.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 7 June, the Federal Council decided to continue supporting Ukraine in the areas of digitalisation and e-governance, approving CHF 58.7 million for this purpose over the next four years. Switzerland is thus promoting democratic reforms in Ukraine through digitalisation and at the same time increasing the transparency of state-provided services. Both areas are of crucial importance for Ukraine to rebuild.
07.06.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
The Summit on Peace in Ukraine will take place on 15 and 16 June 2024 at the Bürgenstock resort in the canton of Nidwalden. A major security operation is in place to ensure the safety of the event and those attending. At its meeting on 7 June 2024, the Federal Council decided to consider the summit an 'extraordinary event'. This means that the Confederation will contribute to the security costs borne by the canton of Nidwalden.
07.06.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council appointed David Grichting as the new head of the Directorate for Resources (DR) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in its meeting on 7 June 2024. David Grichting currently heads the FDFA’s Consular Directorate (CD). He will take up his new post on 1 January 2025 succeeding to Tania Cavassini, who has been appointed ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco by the Federal Council. The FDFA will appoint a selection committee to
to evaluate candidates to succeed David Grichting.
07.06.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Erika Schläppi of Switzerland has been elected to an initial maiden term on the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women for 2025–28. She will be the second Swiss woman to serve in this capacity.
07.06.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
La Suisse a été élue pour la quatrième fois après 2010, 2014 et 2019, en tant que membre du Conseil économique et social des Nations unies (ECOSOC). Elle y siègera en 2025 et 2026. L’ECOSOC est l’un des principaux organes de l’ONU dans le domaine du développement durable.
04.06.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Heavy rain has caused flooding in northern Armenia, leading to considerable loss of life and destruction of property. Water and mud levels reached almost two metres in some areas and destroyed a large number of homes and infrastructure. At the request of the Armenian authorities, Switzerland is deploying specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit to the affected areas. In particular, they will be responsible for assessing the structural soundness of bridges and other infrastructure. Switzerland has earmarked up to CHF 500,000 to support efforts on the ground.
27.05.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
On 27 May 2024, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received Bakary Yaou Sangaré, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad of the Republic of Niger, in Bern. The official working visit took place within the context of the long-standing relations of friendship and cooperation between Switzerland and Niger. The talks focused on the prospects for normalisation in Niger and the challenges facing the region.
27.05.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
The Syrian population is still suffering from the consequences of the ongoing conflict that began in 2011, and these are also being felt in neighbouring countries. Switzerland reaffirmed its commitment by pledging CHF 60 million at the 8th Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region on 27 May 2024.
24.05.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
On 24 May 2024, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution for the protection of humanitarian and UN personnel in conflict zones. The resolution, which was negotiated and submitted by Switzerland to the Security Council for a vote, highlights the country's long-standing commitment to the protection of civilians – a priority of the Federal Council for Switzerland's 2023–24 term on the council.
23.05.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel met with Türkiye's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mehmet Kemal Bozay in Ankara on 22 May 2024. The talks focused on bilateral relations, human rights, regional developments, European integration and the war against Ukraine.
22.05.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 22 May 2024, the Federal Council decided to support the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with a total amount of CHF 49.5 million between 2025 and 2027. IFAD's overarching goal is to drive forward the fight against poverty and hunger in rural areas. The Federal Council's decision continues Switzerland's support for IFAD, which has been ongoing since 1978.
22.05.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 22 May 2024, the Federal Council adopted the Dispatch on the International Cooperation Strategy 2025–28 (IC Strategy 2025–28). The dispatch outlines the objectives and priorities of Switzerland's international cooperation for the next four years and proposes them to Parliament for approval. The IC Strategy 2025–28 provides for a budget of CHF 11.27 billion over four years. In light of an ever-changing world, the strategy pursues long-term objectives – combating poverty and promoting sustainable development – while maintaining a high degree of flexibility to respond to the many current crises.
Interview with Yaya Sarria, dancer and choreographer of the Chadian company «Sabot du Vent»
Choreographer Yaya Sarria shares his experience as an artist in Chad and talks about the liberating role of contemporary dance in a country facing considerable challenges. In 2013 as part of the dance festival «juilletdanse» in Fribourg, Yaya Sarria presented a production created in conjunction with Tonia Schilling and supported by the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation. His diligence, creativity and desire to succeed show that Chadian artists have a role to play on the international scene.
The international community has a duty to step up its commitment to combat violence against women and girls, particularly in conflict and emergency situations. That is why the British government has launched the initiative «Call to Action on Violence against Women and Girls in Emergencies»: to send a political signal for better protection of girls and women in crisis situations. On 13 November 2013, a high-level conference will take place to bring together humanitarian actors, donor states and recipient countries and reaffirm the joint responsibility of all stakeholders. Switzerland will be represented by Maya Tissafi, deputy director general of the SDC.
The SDC vice-director and head of the Global Cooperation directorate takes stock of his career before assuming the vice-presidency of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Rome on 1 December. He explains the strategic role of the global approach to development being integrated into the SDC, both as an actor and witness.
Excellence in the training of future humanitarian professionals
In partnership with the SDC, the Geneva Centre for Education and Research in Humanitarian Action has presented the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Award to its first winner. The prize honours the Centre’s best English-language master’s degree thesis.
Conclusion of school construction project in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta
After four years of work, the last of the 42 storm-resistant school houses in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta in Myanmar have been completed. The project led by Swiss Humanitarian Aid provides a safe and comfortable learning environment for more than 7,000 children as well as protection in the event of a disaster for up to 1,000 people per school house.
Paleoanthropologists of the University of Zurich in collaboration with Georgian colleagues in Dmanisi in the south of Georgia have found the intact skull of an early human being. The find demands a re-examination of current scientific thinking on this subject: Human diversity two million years ago was much smaller than thought up to now. The research is being supported and financed by the Swiss National Fund and the SDC.
Swiss cooperation experts met on the eve of the International Development Cooperation Forum organised by the SDC and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs in Montreux on 24-25 October 2013. Their aim was to prepare a key Swiss message before the forum itself which seeks to define the post-2015 agenda. Portraits of some of the participants.
The documentary film «The Long Way Out», telling the story of six children who escaped from a European human trafficking ring, will be screened on Sunday, 20 October 2013, at the Rex cinema in Fribourg. A discussion with the participation of the president of the Swiss Social Democratic Party, Christian Levrat, and the head of the SDC programme on migration and development, Odile Rittener, will follow.
Since the 1980s, growing numbers of people from South Asia in search of work and a better livelihood have been migrating to countries in the Middle East and to economically thriving Asian countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, and India. The destination countries usually lack binding and fair regulations for migrants. The SDC works on behalf of migrant workers on various projects in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Now it also aims to apply these experiences and results in the Middle East.
In Niger, pastoralists are nomadic. Profound changes in the country are making their livelihoods more and more difficult. The SDC supports the Rural Code, a collection of laws aimed at preventing and regulating conflicts in rural areas. In this interview on the sidelines of the SDC annual conference 2013, Fatima Sidikou, administrative assistant to the Permanent Secretariat of the Rural Code, talks about pastoralism in her native Niger and the importance of the Rural Code.
For the first time, a Swiss person has been awarded the Alternative Nobel Prize. With his foundation, Biovision, Hans Rudolf Herren was honoured for his achievements in the field of food security and his work in «promoting a safe, secure and sustainable global food supply» according to the jury.
At the 11th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Switzerland achieved an important breakthrough. The states gathered in Namibia from 16 to 27 September 2013 recognised the World Overview on Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT) network as a reference for documentation and databases. WOCAT is a worldwide network that receives substantial funding from the SDC. The network's secretariat is at the University of Bern.