Press releases

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.

Democratising access to tomorrow's scientific breakthroughs

08.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
The Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) foundation, co-founded by the Swiss Confederation, will hold its fourth summit from 9 to 11 October in Geneva, in presence of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. The high-level political segment, focused on anticipatory science diplomacy, will centre on the theme of ensuring widespread access to the groundbreaking scientific advances that will shape our future.

Switzerland delivers 30 rubble-clearing machines and 30 fire pumps to Ukraine

04.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland is organising a new shipment of equipment for Ukraine. This includes machines to clear rubble and debris, as well as firefighting equipment, which will be handed over to Ukraine's civil protection agency.The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the FDFA will finance and coordinate the transport. The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) has donated the equipment, valued at CHF 5.6 million.

Second Swiss presidency of the UN Security Council

01.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
Today, Switzerland has assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council for the second time. During its presidency in October, Switzerland will place its priorities at the centre of the Security Council's work, in particular promoting sustainable peace and protecting civilians –Swiss President Viola Amherd and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will be traveling to New York for this purpose.

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.

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.

Democratising access to tomorrow's scientific breakthroughs

08.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
The Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) foundation, co-founded by the Swiss Confederation, will hold its fourth summit from 9 to 11 October in Geneva, in presence of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. The high-level political segment, focused on anticipatory science diplomacy, will centre on the theme of ensuring widespread access to the groundbreaking scientific advances that will shape our future.

Switzerland delivers 30 rubble-clearing machines and 30 fire pumps to Ukraine

04.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland is organising a new shipment of equipment for Ukraine. This includes machines to clear rubble and debris, as well as firefighting equipment, which will be handed over to Ukraine's civil protection agency.The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the FDFA will finance and coordinate the transport. The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) has donated the equipment, valued at CHF 5.6 million.

Second Swiss presidency of the UN Security Council

01.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
Today, Switzerland has assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council for the second time. During its presidency in October, Switzerland will place its priorities at the centre of the Security Council's work, in particular promoting sustainable peace and protecting civilians –Swiss President Viola Amherd and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will be traveling to New York for this purpose.

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.

Youth, actors of educational policy

25.10.2012 — Article DEZA

Borhene Chakroun, Chief of UNESCO’s Section for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. In Bern for the launch in Switzerland on 25 October 2012 of the “2012 Education for All Global Monitoring Report”, this specialist granted us an interview on the education of youth at the level of international institutions.

Inauguration of two permanent schools in Haïti

12.10.2012 — Article DEZA

Programme of support for the reconstruction of school infrastructure

1,600 pupils were able to resume their school studies following the inauguration of the Ecole nationale de Dessources in Léogane and the Ecole fondamentale et Centre d’appui pédagogique (EFACAP) du Sacré-Cœur in Petit-Goâve on 10 October 2012. These are the first permanent school buildings that have been reconstructed in the country following the devastating earthquake of 12 January 2010. Both schools comply with anti-seismic and anti-cyclonic standards.

New publication «10 stories – 10 years of SDC engagement in Afghanistan»

09.10.2012 — Article DEZA

People are the focus of development cooperation in Afghanistan

First and foremost, development cooperation is about people. So, too, in Afghanistan, a country that is coping with all the problems characteristic of a so-called «fragile» state. The brochure entitled «10 stories» introduces ten Afghans who are connected with the Cooperation Office of the SDC in Kabul: ten people working for their country.

Securing land rights – a step toward eradicating hunger and poverty

13.09.2012 — Article DEZA

SDC supports the utilization of Voluntary Guidelines on Land Governance

Weak governance of land tenure threatens food security, the environment as well as social development in many developing countries. The Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Forests and Fisheries, adopted by the Committee on World Food Security in 2012, secure the rights of the rural poor to use, manage and control these natural resources. The SDC supports the application of these Guidelines with a contribution of CHF 3 million.

Message on Switzerland’s International Cooperation in 2013–2016

11.09.2012 — Article DEZA

After the National Council, the Council of States adopted the Message on Switzerland’s International Cooperation in 2013–2016 on Tuesday, 11 September 2012. For the first time, the Message describes in one document the tasks of humanitarian aid, development cooperation, economic and trade policy measures within the framework of development cooperation, and cooperation with the countries of Eastern Europe.

Flooding in North Korea: Switzerland makes funds available for reconstruction and restoration of water supply

22.08.2012 — Article DEZA

The flooding in North Korea caused by torrential rainfall in July and August has claimed more than 160 lives and caused extensive damage. Around 210,000 people are homeless and tens of thousands are in need of clean drinking water. In response, Switzerland has made CHF 200,000 available for emergency relief measures. Swiss Humanitarian Aid will use these funds to reconstruct houses and to restore the supply of drinking water in the affected areas.

One year since the approval of the special credit for the Horn of Africa

20.08.2012 — Article DEZA

Emergency relief and food security are focal points of Swiss aid

A year ago, the Federal Council approved a special credit of CHF 20 million to help relieve the situation in the Horn of Africa where more than 13 million people were suffering from hunger. Extreme drought caused one of the most severe humanitarian crises in 30 years in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. Swiss Humanitarian Aid allocated the funds mainly for life-saving measures and food security.

Iran accepts Switzerland’s offer of assistance

16.08.2012 — Article DEZA

On Thursday, Swiss Humanitarian Aid dispatched a four-man team of experts to the earthquake region in north-western Iran to carry out a fact-finding mission and, together with the Iranian authorities and the Iranian Red Crescent, to prepare for the distribution of emergency relief materials.

At the same times, measures were being undertaken to prepare for the air transport of winter-proof relief supplies for 1000 persons to the earthquake region as rapidly as possible.

The relief items primarily concern tents, tent insulation and heating apparatus, blankets, and field kitchens.

Crisis in Syria: Interview with Martin Zirn, Swiss expert on mission for the UNHCR

10.08.2012 — Article DEZA

Thousands of Syrians fleeing to northern Iraq

Martin Zirn is a member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit with many years’ experience including several postings to Iraq as an expert in shelter construction, water and sanitation projects. Since the outbreak of the crisis in neighbouring Syria, tens of thousands of people have fled the country including several thousand to northern Iraq. Zurich-based Martin Zirn has been seconded to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) by the Humanitarian Aid of the Swiss Confederation as a senior technical co-ordinator and project head.

More responsibility for the recipients

03.08.2012 — Article DEZA

Interview about the effectiveness of development cooperation

Brian Atwood, director of the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) development committee DAC, talks about how the effectiveness of development cooperation can be improved by establishing clear criteria for monitoring and by more effective coordination among donor countries.

Afghanistan: Cooperation Office opened 10 years ago

09.07.2012 — Article DEZA

The Swiss Cooperation Office in Afghanistan celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2012. Subject to fundamental changes, Afghanistan is one of the so-called «fragile» states. Given this complex and volatile context, the SDC is stepping up its commitment in an effort to prevent the achievements so far from being undone. Elisabeth von Capeller, head of the Division South Asia, visited the country from 6–11 June 2012 and shares her impressions. Furthermore, the exhibition “New Afghanistan through Afghan Eyes” proposes to discover the many facets of this country through the photographs of young Afghan artists.

Mali: aid targeted to local needs

04.07.2012 — Article DEZA

Interview with Geneviève Federspiel, resident director of Swiss cooperation in Mali from 2008-June 2012

«Whenever a door opens, we enter it»