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.
18.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On 17–18 April, representatives from more than 50 countries and organisations gathered at an international workshop in Kyiv to discuss measures for identifying and clearing mines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine. Good coordination of national activities and international support is crucial to ensure that this work can progress swiftly and effectively. The workshop was co-organised by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). Switzerland, whose delegation at the conference was led by Ambassador Simon Geissbühler, has a long history of supporting humanitarian demining through the GICHD and other organisations. Clearing the country of mines is a key prerequisite for Ukraine's recovery.
18.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Palestine's application for full UN membership will not be submitted to the UN General Assembly due to the veto by the United States on 18 April in the UN Security Council. Switzerland abstained from the vote. After assessing the situation and consulting with the chairs of the parliamentary foreign affairs committees, the Federal Council concluded that granting Palestine full UN membership at this time would not be conducive to easing the situation and peace efforts in the Middle East. Switzerland remains committed to the two-state solution.
17.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel received a US delegation for political consultations in Bern on 17 April. The delegation was led by Assistant Secretary James O'Brien, who is in charge of European and Eurasian affairs at the US Department of State. On the agenda were the many ongoing or recently concluded bilateral negotiations, particularly in the area of taxation, which are concrete examples of the dynamism of bilateral relations.
15.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At the international donors' conference on 15 April 2024 in Paris, Switzerland pledged CHF 19 million to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Sudan. As a result of the ongoing hostilities over the past year, the country is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time. To date, 8.6 million people have been displaced, and the country is on the brink of a devastating famine. From the beginning of the crisis, Switzerland has been actively engaged at multiple levels to help end the conflict and improve the situation on the ground.
12.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis paid an official visit to Croatia today. He was received by his counterpart, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, Swiss–EU relations and the geopolitical context.
12.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The third International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum) concluded today in Basel. Over 1,000 representatives from politics, business, science, and civil society gathered alongside President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, FDFA head Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, and Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde to discuss the theme of peace promotion. Discussions centred on three core values: critical dialogue, trust, and innovation, all aimed at finding new pathways for tangible and sustainable progress. A highlight of the 2024 forum was the Swiss IC Awards, recognising innovative peace-building projects by Swiss companies.
11.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
In 2023, Switzerland's official development assistance (ODA) amounted to CHF 4.64 billion, equivalent to 0.60% of its gross national income (GNI), more than a quarter of which came from asylum-related costs in Switzerland. Excluding these asylum costs, the ODA/GNI ratio was 0.43%.
11.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillors Karin Keller-Sutter and Guy Parmelin, together with Swiss National Bank Chairman Thomas Jordan, will attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington from 17 to 19 April 2024. A meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, as well as a ministerial meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), will also take place as part of this gathering. In addition, the two Federal Councillors will take this opportunity to hold bilateral meetings.
10.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland has been providing humanitarian aid and supporting the economic development and longer-term reconstruction of Ukraine since the war broke out in February 2022. This support builds on the existing cooperation with the country and is to be intensified over the next twelve years, as decided by the Federal Council at its meeting of 10 April 2024. It plans to allocate a total of CHF 5 billion to this end by 2036. As a first step, around CHF 1.5 billion is to be drawn from the international cooperation budget by 2028. This amount clearly demonstrates Switzerland's solidarity with the people affected by the war in Ukraine and will increase stability on the European continent.
10.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland will continue to support the Green Climate Fund (GCF) with a total contribution of CHF 135 million over the next four years. The Federal Council took this decision at its meeting on 10 April 2024. The GCF helps developing countries take concrete action to achieve the goals of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. In particular, it funds initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.
10.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 10 April 2024, the Federal Council took note of the results of the exploratory phase of the high-level conference on peace in Ukraine. The conditions are now in place for the conference to be able to initiate a peace process. The first step is to develop a common understanding among the participating states with a view to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The conference is scheduled for June 2024 at the Bürgenstock resort in the canton of Nidwalden.
09.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe convened this year's Conference on Addressing Anti-Semitism in the OSCE region in Malta on 8 and 9 October. It marked the 20th anniversary of the OSCE's Berlin declaration against antisemitism and highlighted the sharp rise in antisemitism since the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the outbreak of the war in Gaza. The participating states underlined the need for interfaith and intercultural dialogue to bridge divides between communities. Switzerland, which was represented by Ambassador Simon Geissbühler at the conference, called for the swift implementation of concrete short- and long-term measures against antisemitism.
18.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
On 17–18 April, representatives from more than 50 countries and organisations gathered at an international workshop in Kyiv to discuss measures for identifying and clearing mines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine. Good coordination of national activities and international support is crucial to ensure that this work can progress swiftly and effectively. The workshop was co-organised by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). Switzerland, whose delegation at the conference was led by Ambassador Simon Geissbühler, has a long history of supporting humanitarian demining through the GICHD and other organisations. Clearing the country of mines is a key prerequisite for Ukraine's recovery.
18.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Palestine's application for full UN membership will not be submitted to the UN General Assembly due to the veto by the United States on 18 April in the UN Security Council. Switzerland abstained from the vote. After assessing the situation and consulting with the chairs of the parliamentary foreign affairs committees, the Federal Council concluded that granting Palestine full UN membership at this time would not be conducive to easing the situation and peace efforts in the Middle East. Switzerland remains committed to the two-state solution.
17.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel received a US delegation for political consultations in Bern on 17 April. The delegation was led by Assistant Secretary James O'Brien, who is in charge of European and Eurasian affairs at the US Department of State. On the agenda were the many ongoing or recently concluded bilateral negotiations, particularly in the area of taxation, which are concrete examples of the dynamism of bilateral relations.
15.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
At the international donors' conference on 15 April 2024 in Paris, Switzerland pledged CHF 19 million to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Sudan. As a result of the ongoing hostilities over the past year, the country is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time. To date, 8.6 million people have been displaced, and the country is on the brink of a devastating famine. From the beginning of the crisis, Switzerland has been actively engaged at multiple levels to help end the conflict and improve the situation on the ground.
12.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis paid an official visit to Croatia today. He was received by his counterpart, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, Swiss–EU relations and the geopolitical context.
12.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
The third International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum) concluded today in Basel. Over 1,000 representatives from politics, business, science, and civil society gathered alongside President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, FDFA head Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, and Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde to discuss the theme of peace promotion. Discussions centred on three core values: critical dialogue, trust, and innovation, all aimed at finding new pathways for tangible and sustainable progress. A highlight of the 2024 forum was the Swiss IC Awards, recognising innovative peace-building projects by Swiss companies.
11.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
In 2023, Switzerland's official development assistance (ODA) amounted to CHF 4.64 billion, equivalent to 0.60% of its gross national income (GNI), more than a quarter of which came from asylum-related costs in Switzerland. Excluding these asylum costs, the ODA/GNI ratio was 0.43%.
11.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillors Karin Keller-Sutter and Guy Parmelin, together with Swiss National Bank Chairman Thomas Jordan, will attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington from 17 to 19 April 2024. A meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, as well as a ministerial meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), will also take place as part of this gathering. In addition, the two Federal Councillors will take this opportunity to hold bilateral meetings.
10.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland has been providing humanitarian aid and supporting the economic development and longer-term reconstruction of Ukraine since the war broke out in February 2022. This support builds on the existing cooperation with the country and is to be intensified over the next twelve years, as decided by the Federal Council at its meeting of 10 April 2024. It plans to allocate a total of CHF 5 billion to this end by 2036. As a first step, around CHF 1.5 billion is to be drawn from the international cooperation budget by 2028. This amount clearly demonstrates Switzerland's solidarity with the people affected by the war in Ukraine and will increase stability on the European continent.
10.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland will continue to support the Green Climate Fund (GCF) with a total contribution of CHF 135 million over the next four years. The Federal Council took this decision at its meeting on 10 April 2024. The GCF helps developing countries take concrete action to achieve the goals of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. In particular, it funds initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.
10.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 10 April 2024, the Federal Council took note of the results of the exploratory phase of the high-level conference on peace in Ukraine. The conditions are now in place for the conference to be able to initiate a peace process. The first step is to develop a common understanding among the participating states with a view to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The conference is scheduled for June 2024 at the Bürgenstock resort in the canton of Nidwalden.
09.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe convened this year's Conference on Addressing Anti-Semitism in the OSCE region in Malta on 8 and 9 October. It marked the 20th anniversary of the OSCE's Berlin declaration against antisemitism and highlighted the sharp rise in antisemitism since the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the outbreak of the war in Gaza. The participating states underlined the need for interfaith and intercultural dialogue to bridge divides between communities. Switzerland, which was represented by Ambassador Simon Geissbühler at the conference, called for the swift implementation of concrete short- and long-term measures against antisemitism.
The SDC, WWF together with the interdepartemental goup IDANE Wasser, have published the first ever report on Switzerland’s water footprint. Finding: 82% of the water required to produce all the goods and services consumed in our country comes from abroad. The report emphasises that Switzerland has a shared responsibility in respect of sustainable water management on a planetary level, and proposes a set of recommendations.
En ratifiant la Convention de l'UNESCO sur la protection et la promotion de la diversité des expressions culturelles, la Suisse acceptait d'établir tous les quatre ans un rapport sur la situation nationale en matière de diversité culturelle. Le premier d'entre eux sera livré en avril 2012.
On 2 and 3 February 2012 in Bamako, Switzerland and its cooperation partner Mali met to take stock of the ongoing cooperation between the two countries and to launch their new strategy for the years 2012 to 2015. This new strategy formulates Swiss cooperation’s major points of thrust in this west African country over the next four years. The Memorandum of Understanding signed on this occasion paves the way to a new period of cooperation between Mali and Switzerland and defines their common perspectives for the coming years.
The ADEA Triennale on education and training in Africa brings together a range of people working for education on the continent: government ministers, representatives of bilateral and multilateral agencies, members of research networks, NGOs, the private sector and socio-professional organisations. Adapting education systems to the challenges of sustainable development is the focus of the broad dialogue. The event takes place from 12-17 February 2012 in Ouagadougou and is organised by the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), a longstanding partner of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
After a year and a half of intensive work, the United Nations High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability has published its final report entitled “Resilient People, Resilient Planet: A Future Worth Choosing”. It contains 56 specific recommendations for achieving the goal of development that is truly sustainable. The recommendations focus on a growing economy which reduces poverty and social disparities and respects the natural limits of our planet.
Thousands of people are still living in appalling conditions in the Horn of Africa – in squalid accommodation, without clean drinking water and without access to schooling. Manuel Bessler, the delegate of Swiss Humanitarian Aid, visited Somalia and Kenya in January 2012 to see the situation for himself. What he saw there confirmed him in his conviction that the Horn of Africa must remain a focus of Switzerland’s humanitarian aid.
09.11.2011 —
EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), met the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, for talks in Zurich on 9 November 2011. The topics of the discussion included the Swiss-EU relations, the debt crisis in the eurozone, co-operation on tax issues, and selected international issues.
29.07.2011 —
EDA
The FDFA has noted various new information published in the media regarding the two Swiss citizens kidnapped in Pakistan. The FDFA does not comment on such information.
11.07.2011 —
EDA
Switzerland strengthens its presence in Benghazi, and sends a diplomat to the East Libyan city for the purpose of opening a liaison office. This will be in addition to the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit programme office which has already been up and running for the last four months.
11.03.2011 —
EDA
It is with great consternation that the Federal Council has learned of the natural disaster in the northeast of Japan. Switzerland is ready to send emergency aid to the area, and has already submitted a corresponding offer to the Japanese government.
10.02.2011 —
EDA
On Thursday, 10 February 2011, Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey presented the report “The Blue Peace: Rethinking Middle East Water” to the Swiss Press Club in Geneva. Supported by Switzerland and by the Swedish government, the report compiles a list of 10 recommendations whose objective is to contribute to building peace and to reducing the conflicts in the Middle East thanks to a sustainable trans-border management of water in the region.
06.01.2011 —
EDA
6 January 2011 marks 50 years of Switzerland representing American interests in Cuba. Switzerland accepted the mandate in 1961 following the Cuban revolution which led to the break-off of relations between Cuba and the US.