Press releases

Federal Council reaffirms support for three international humanitarian organisations

16.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 16 April 2025, the Federal Council decided to allocate a total of almost CHF 250 million to support the operations of Switzerland's three main humanitarian partners for 2025 and 2026. The funding will benefit the World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Switzerland is thus reaffirming its support for key humanitarian organisations that provide urgently needed assistance worldwide.

'From Heidi to High Tech': the Swiss pavilion opens its doors at Osaka World Expo 2025

13.04.2025 — Press releases EDA

The Swiss pavilion was inaugurated on Sunday 13 April in the presence of the president of the National Council, Maja Riniker. An immersive exhibition entitled 'From Heidi to High Tech' showcases Switzerland's diversity and outstanding features: from its iconic Alpine heritage to its status as a world centre for innovation and cutting-edge technology. Presence Switzerland, which is part of the FDFA General Secretariat, is responsible for Switzerland's presence in Osaka. FDFA General Secretary Markus Seiler also attended the inauguration of the World Expo in Osaka, representing the FDFA.

Switzerland–EU: Federal Council approves EU Programmes Agreement

10.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 9 April 2025, the Federal Council approved the EU Programmes Agreement (EUPA) along with the associated protocols on education, research, innovation and health. It also authorised Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to sign the agreement. Signature of the EUPA will enable Swiss association in Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme and the Digital Europe Programme to be applied retroactively from 1 January 2025. The agreement will come into effect following ratification of the Switzerland-EU package

Federal Council reaffirms its support for UNDP

09.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 9 April 2025, the Federal Council approved a contribution of CHF 31.8 million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and CHF 2 million to the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), thereby reaffirming Switzerland's support for sustainable development, the fight against poverty and multilateralism. The UNDP and UNCDF play a key role in implementing the 2030 Agenda, supporting governments in their efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Swiss–US relations: Federal Council establishes steering body

09.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 9 April 2025, the Federal Council took the decision to set up a project structure responsible for steering Swiss–US relations. The body, which will be led by the head of the FDFA, will operate until the end of 2025 and involve all departments.

Ignazio Cassis to attend Antalya Diplomacy Forum

08.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will represent Switzerland at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which will be held in Turkey from 11 to 13 April. Mr Cassis will have discussions on geopolitical challenges during the forum, including a meeting with the Turkish foreign minister, Hakan Fidan. Prior to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Mr Cassis will visit the Turkish capital Ankara to attend an event marking the 100th anniversary of the signing of the treaty of friendship between Switzerland and Turkey.

Switzerland gains ground in promoting its human rights priorities

04.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
After six weeks of work, the first session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) chaired by a Swiss national has drawn to a close at the UN in Geneva. Swiss diplomat Jürg Lauber led the deliberations of the 58th session of the HRC, during which the 47 member states, including Switzerland, discussed several critical global challenges, including those in Ukraine, the Middle East and Syria. On the latter, steps on a possible path towards peace and stability were taken. Efforts to abolish the death penalty – one of Switzerland's priorities – also continued to make headway.

Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Geneva: Switzerland calls for joint efforts by all actors to achieve goals of 2030 Agenda

03.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
How can we move forward with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in a time dominated by crises and conflict? This was the focus of the UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development on 2 and 3 April 2025. As explained by the head of the Swiss delegation, Federal Council Delegate for the 2030 Agenda Markus Reubi, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can only be implemented if all actors work together. This includes states, regions, cities, civil society, and the academic and business communities.

Switzerland and EU initial agreement on programmes

02.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 2 April, the chief negotiators from Switzerland and the European Union initialled an agreement in Brussels on Switzerland’s participation in EU programmes. The agreement comes into force once the overall Switzerland-EU package has been ratified, but could already be applied provisionally after the signing, which is due to take place in November.

Earthquake in Myanmar: FDFA releases CHF 2.5 million and steps up its support

01.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
The number of dead and injured continues to rise following the earthquake in Myanmar. The disaster has worsened an already precarious humanitarian situation, exacerbated by an armed conflict that has lasted several years. To meet these new needs, Switzerland is releasing CHF 2.5 million and is making specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) available to UN agencies.

Working meeting between Ignazio Cassis and Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger

01.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met with his Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Bern on Tuesday. This is the first visit to Switzerland by Austria's new minister for European and international affairs. Discussions focused on bilateral relations, European policy and security, and current international affairs.

Humanitarian office in Kabul opens

31.03.2025 — Press releases EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is once again represented in Afghanistan. A team of experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) has opened a Swiss humanitarian office in Kabul. This local presence will facilitate targeted support for the Afghan population in need. The humanitarian office is using the premises of the former Swiss cooperation office that was closed after the Taliban seized power in August 2021.

Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo and to Tanzania

08.02.2010 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey will travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo and to Tanzania from 9-13 February 2010 to hold talks on ministerial level. While in the DRC, she will visit SDC programmes in South Kivu Province in the east of the country. The trip will focus on Switzerland’s cooperation and development activities, in particular in the health sector.

The Duvalier accounts remain blocked while a draft law will be reviewed that could permit illicit assets to be confiscated

03.02.2010 — Press releases EDA
In pursuing its policy to avoid allowing the Swiss financial centre to become a haven for illicitly acquired assets, the Federal Council has reached a decision to continue the freeze on the Duvalier assets on the basis of the Constitution. In view of the criminal origin of these funds, the Federal Council in this way avoids releasing the approximately USD 5.7 million for the benefit of the Duvalier clan, which the Federal Criminal Court deems to be a criminal organisation. At the same time, the Federal Council has instructed the FDFA to complete by the end of the month its work on drafting a federal law that would ultimately allow such assets to be confiscated, and to submit the draft law for consultation.

Official working visit by Chinese Vice Premier LI Keqiang

26.01.2010 — Press releases EDA
The Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, LI Keqiang, today opened celebrations for the ‘60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China’ with an official working visit. He was received at the Lohn Country Residence in Kehrsatz by President Doris Leuthard, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA), and Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The talks addressed bilateral relations in general, economic relations, political dialogue as well as the financial crisis.

Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey in talks with the Foreign Minister of Singapore, George Yeo

26.01.2010 — Press releases EDA
On Tuesday, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey met the Foreign Minister of Singapore, George Yeo, in Bern for talks. In addition to a discussion on bilateral relations, the agenda of the meeting included international issues such as co-operation within the United Nations and the OECD, as well as other questions concerning global governance.

Official working visit to Bern by the Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Jandroković

21.01.2010 — Press releases EDA
On 21 January 2010, the Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, received the Croatian Foreign Minister, Gordan Jandroković, for a working visit. The talks covered issues including bilateral and international relations, Croatia’s EU prospects, and Switzerland’s chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. In addition, two treaties were signed.

Swiss aid to Haiti

21.01.2010 — Press releases EDA
A team from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) was already on its way to Haiti within 10 hours after the devastating earthquake struck on 12 January. In the capital, Port-au-Prince, its first task was to reinforce the experts at the SDC Programme Office. In the meantime, the team in Haiti and the Dominican Republic has been expanded to more than 50 members.

Switzerland welcomes the moratorium on capital punishment in Mongolia

18.01.2010 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland weclomes the moratorium on capital punishment announced by the Mongolian President Elbegdorj on 14 January 2010.

Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey in Tbilisi for discussions

17.01.2010 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers, was in Georgia on 16 and 17 January for discussions with representatives of the authorities, political parties and civil society. Her main purpose was to obtain first-hand information about the progress of reforms and the consequences of the August 2008 conflict. Mrs Calmy-Rey expressed satisfaction with these constructive discussions and noted that, while reforms had made progress, the work started needed to be continued. She assured Georgia of the Council of Europe’s continuing support.

Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey in Moscow for talks

17.01.2010 — Press releases EDA
Swiss Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), met with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow for talks on Sunday. The two Ministers discussed bilateral and international topics including Switzerland’s representation of Georgian and Russian interests in the framework of its protection mandates and questions relating to Switzerland’s Chairmanship of the Council of Europe.

Earthquake in Haiti: Switzerland Sends 18 Member Emergency Team

13.01.2010 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland has decided to deploy immediately to Haiti an emergency rapid deployment team of 18 persons. Humanitarian aid shipments are also in preparation.

New Year’s reception for the diplomatic corps

13.01.2010 — Press releases EDA
President Doris Leuthard today greeted representatives of the diplomatic corps in Switzerland at the traditional New Year’s reception at the Federal Palace.

Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey pays working visits to Ljubljana, Tiflis and Moskau

12.01.2010 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Micheline Calmy-Rey will travel to Ljubljana on Friday for a bilateral meeting with the Slovenian Foreign Minister Samuel Zbogar. On Saturday and Sunday she will hold talks in Tiflis in her capacity as president of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. She will have a working meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Sunday.

SwissInTouch, Switzerland in your pocket

24.11.2022 — Article EDA
Approximately 780,000 Swiss citizens abroad currently benefit from the wide range of services provided by a global network of representations offering advice and support. The FDFA Helpline is also on hand to answer queries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Now there's a new app that makes staying in touch even easier: SwissInTouch keeps Switzerland at your fingertips.

Speech - 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki

29.01.2022 — EDA
Allocution du président de la Confédération Ignazio Cassis, chef du Département fédéral des affaires étrangères, à l’occasion du 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki - Check against delivery.

"Digitalisation - an opportunity for Europe's democratic values"

21.05.2021 — EDA
Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), on the occasion of the 131st (virtual) Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Check against delivery.

Official opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel

04.09.2020 — EDA
Camorino, 04.09.2020 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony "Ceneri2020" - Check against delivery

Passaggio di testimone tra generazioni (de-fr-it)

25.08.2020 — EDA
Bern, 25.08.2020: Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the retirement of the ambassadors and the welcoming of the young diplomats who are taking up their posts in the service of the FDFA. Check against delivery.

75 years of the United Nations (fr)

26.06.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 26.06.2020: Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter - Check against delivery

Opening of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council (fr)

24.02.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 24.02.2020 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

SDC Newsletter: Africa, CO2 reduction and WEF

29.01.2020 — DEZA
The FDFA has showcased some innovative technology at the 50th WEF, which could reduce global CO2 emissions by millions of tonnes per year. The SDC undertakes a range of projects in the construction industry, working in cooperation with academia and the private sector. The aim of these projects, which are located in emerging economies, is to tackle global warming effectively.

Discover the world with the FDFA and with peace mind

17.01.2020 — Article EDA
Just what is the perfect trip abroad? And where would it take you? Swiss travellers have different needs and expectations – some prefer to go on their own, others would rather choose an organised tour. It doesn't matter if you're a backpacker or a jet-setter: the FDFA provides a wide range of services for anyone who wants to travel abroad.

Honeyland Oscar nominee

14.01.2020 — Article DEZA
Honeyland has been nominated for an Oscar in the categories Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary.  The film’s hero, Hatidze Muratova, champions environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources. She was discovered through the Nature Conservation Programme launched by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Switzerland and Italy reach an agreement on Campione d'Italia

20.12.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 20 December 2019, the Federal Council approved an exchange of notes between Switzerland and Italy regarding the change of the customs status of the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia. This exchange of notes is necessary to ensure legal certainty and facilitates the transition of Campione d'Italia into the European Union's customs territory, scheduled for 1 January 2020.

Third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation

19.12.2019 — EDA
On 16 and 17 December 2019 a third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee, supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation on the basic principles for a mechanism of customs administration and monitoring of trade in goods, signed on 9 November 2011, took place in Bern.