Press releases

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.

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.

Switzerland’s water footprint is measured for the first time

12.03.2012 — Article DEZA

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.

Projet de rapport sur la diversité culturelle en Suisse

29.02.2012 — Article DEZA

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.

Swiss Cooperation with Mali: Definition of the common perspectives for 2012-2015

09.02.2012 — Article DEZA

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.

ADEA’s 2012 Triennale: Stepping up education and training for Africa’s sustainable development

08.02.2012 — Article DEZA

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.

«A Future Worth Choosing» – Final report of the UN High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability

06.02.2012 — Article DEZA

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.

The Horn of Africa: The delegate for Humanitarian Aid on a fact-finding mission about the current crisis

24.01.2012 — Article DEZA

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.

The President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey in talks with the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy

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.

Kidnapping of two Swiss citizens – statement by the FDFA

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.

Switzerland to strengthen its presence in Benghazi

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.

Switzerland ready to send aid to Japan

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.

Report “The Blue Peace: Rethinking Middle East Water” (last modification, the 18.02.2011)

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.

50 years

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.