All news (3780)
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attends Antalya Diplomacy Forum
16.04.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, will take part in the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, to be held from 17 to 19 April 2026. This occasion will allow him to discuss the conflict in the Middle East with his counterparts in the region. He will also hold a series of talks in his capacity as Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans receive Baden-Württemberg Minister-President
16.04.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, and Federal Councillor Beat Jans, the head of the FDJP, met with Baden-Württemberg Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann in Bern on Thursday 16 April. During the meeting, the delegations praised the excellent relations between Switzerland and the neighbouring German Federal State. Mr Cassis welcomed the closer cooperation in the fields of education, research and innovation (ERI).
Third anniversary of the outbreak of war in Sudan: Switzerland continues to provide humanitarian aid and seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict
15.04.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland is allocating around CHF 23 million in 2026 to support people in Sudan and the region with the humanitarian emergency they are facing. This was announced by Tim Enderlin, the head of the Peace and Human Rights Division at the FDFA and head of the Swiss delegation at the Sudan Conference in Berlin. Switzerland’s support focuses on securing food supplies and livelihoods, the protection of the civilian population and peacebuilding. In December 2025, in view of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Sudan and neighbouring countries – to which many people have fled from Sudan – Parliament approved an emergency aid credit of CHF 50 million.
Switzerland at 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings and G20 Finance Ministers Meeting in Washington
14.04.2026
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Press releases
EDA
President Guy Parmelin and Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, as well as Martin Schlegel, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington from 15 to 17 April 2026. 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 during the Spring Meetings. The Swiss delegation, led by Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, will additionally take the opportunity to hold bilateral talks.
Switzerland's official development assistance reached 0.46% of GNI in 2025
09.04.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Official development assistance (ODA) fell to an unprecedented low in 2025. Switzerland remains a significant donor country: Swiss ODA amounted to CHF 3.8 billion, or 0.46% of gross national income (GNI). This figure fell by around 7% compared to the previous year, mainly due to lower asylum-related costs. ODA includes expenditure eligible for ODA from the Swiss Confederation, cantons and municipalities.
Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans meet with Algerian foreign minister, Ahmed Attaf
02.04.2026
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Press releases
EDA
On 2 April 2026, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, received the Algerian minister of state and foreign minister Ahmed Attaf, on an official working visit to Bern. Discussions focused on the revitalisation of cooperation between Switzerland and Algeria and on international matters. Federal Councillor Beat Jans also held talks with Mr Attaf, focusing on cooperation in the fields of migration, security and justice.
G7 summit in Évian: Confederation to contribute to security costs
01.04.2026
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Press releases
EDA
The G7 summit, organised by France, will take place from 15 to 17 June 2026 in Évian, near the border with Switzerland. In a context of heightened global tensions, the summit requires exceptional security measures, in Switzerland as well. The cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Valais have therefore asked for support from the Confederation. At its meeting on 1 April 2026, the Federal Council decided that the Confederation will contribute to the security costs borne by the three cantons.
Nuclear Weapons Ban Initiative: Federal Council recommends rejection without counter-proposal
01.04.2026
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 1 April 2026, the Federal Council decided to recommend that the popular initiative ‘For the accession of Switzerland to the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (Nuclear Weapons Ban Initiative)’ be rejected by the people and the cantons without a counter-proposal. It has instructed the FDFA to submit a dispatch to Parliament by autumn. The Federal Council is clearly in favour of the goal of a world without nuclear weapons. However, Switzerland's accession to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons would be a purely symbolic act that cannot contribute to this goal. Accession could even be detrimental to Switzerland's security. Switzerland is already committed to the disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons within the framework of the UN Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Switzerland seen from abroad in 2025: excellent reputation among the public; response to US tariffs in the media spotlight
01.04.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Bern, 01.04.2026 – The ways in which Switzerland tackled unexpected challenges in 2025 shaped perceptions of the country in the foreign media. The strongest media response focused on its reactions to US tariffs. Switzerland's image internationally among the general public was excellent. At its meeting on 1 April 2026, the Federal Council was briefed on the results of the annual analysis of perceptions of Switzerland internationally in 2025.
Switzerland renews its delegation to the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
31.03.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland has officially renewed its delegation to the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE) for the period 2026–31. The appointments will ensure Switzerland maintains its presence at the CLRAE's 50th session, scheduled for the end of March 2026.
Angola, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso: Ignazio Cassis holds talks on the economy, science and security
26.03.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has just completed visits to three economic heavyweights in Africa: Angola, Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire. In addition to trade and economic affairs, his political discussions also focused on security issues and cooperation in the field of science. The fourth country that Mr Cassis will visit tomorrow is Burkina Faso, where the focus will be on international cooperation: The head of the FDFA will visit a project supported by Switzerland that uses digital technology to give people better access to financial services and loans, thereby improving local economic prospects.
Federal Council reaffirms partnership with four UN organisations
20.03.2026
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council is continuing its cooperation with four UN organisations in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. At its meeting on 20 March 2026, it decided to support the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) with around CHF 70 million per year from 2026 to 2028. In addition to ensuring the effective implementation of Switzerland's International Cooperation Strategy 2025–28, the partnership with these UN organisations boosts the standing of International Geneva.
