Press releases

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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.

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.

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.

President Amherd emphasises Switzerland’s commitment to peace and calls for strengthening of multilateralism in New York

24.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
In her speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, 24 September, President Viola Amherd focused on peacebuilding and international humanitarian law. She emphasised Switzerland's commitment to strong and effective multilateralism.

Switzerland hosts Ukraine Mine Action Conference 2024 in Lausanne

16.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
On 17 and 18 October 2024, the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) will be held at the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne. The aim of the conference, which is being co-organised with Ukraine, is to highlight the critical importance of humanitarian demining as part of the country's social and economic recovery. The conference by Lake Geneva will bring together representatives from governments, international organisations, humanitarian demining and civil society.

President of the Confederation Viola Amherd and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to represent Switzerland at opening of the 79th UN General Assembly

13.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 13 September 2024, the Federal Council was briefed on the outcome of the consultation of the foreign affairs committees in the run-up to the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to New York where they will represent Switzerland during the high-level opening week of the 79th UN General Assembly from 22 to 25 September 2024.

Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam: Switzerland dispatches six experts and allocates 1 million Swiss francs

12.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland is offering assistance to Vietnam, the South East Asian country devastated by Typhoon Yagi. Today, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is deploying six specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit to Vietnam. The SDC has also made available 1 million Swiss francs to assist the affected population.

Ignazio Cassis meets with officials of Cantons of Ticino and Graubünden in heart of Switzerland

06.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
A trilateral meeting between Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, and the State Councils of Ticino and Graubünden took place today in Schwyz, as part of the regular policy dialogue established with the two Cantons of Italian- and Romansch-speaking Switzerland. Mr Cassis chose a symbolic location, in the heart of Switzerland, for this exchange. Discussions focused on topics of common interest, in particular cross-border relations and the promotion of multilingualism, as well as on the situation in the Mesolcina and Alta Vallemaggia, where the weather caused major damage this summer.

Marianne Jenni appointed new director general of the FDFA's consular directorate

04.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Bern, 04.09.2024 – At its meeting on 4 September 2024, the Federal Council appointed Marianne Jenni as the new director general of the FDFA's Consular Directorate (CD). Marianne Jenni, currently serving as the Swiss ambassador to Ecuador, will assume her new post on 1 January 2025. She succeeds David Grichting, who was appointed director general of the FDFA's Directorate for Resources in early June 2024.

Media (3354)

Switzerland takes on protecting power mandate for Mexico and Ecuador

24.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
At the request of both governments, Switzerland will represent Mexico's interests in relation to Ecuador and Ecuador's interests in relation to Mexico. The applicable agreements were signed with Mexico on 15 June 2024 and with Ecuador on 24 June 2024. In taking on this role, Switzerland is ensuring that diplomatic and consular channels between the two countries remain open. Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with Ecuador on 5 April 2024.

Swiss diplomats gather in Andermatt

21.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Central Switzerland has been at the centre of diplomacy this past week: after the Summit on Peace in Ukraine in the canton of Nidwalden, over 200 representatives of Swiss diplomacy met in the canton of Uri from 17 to 20 June 2024 for the annual Ambassadors' Conference. The aim of this year's conference was to discuss the challenges of Switzerland's current foreign policy and strengthen its coherence and the concrete use of diplomacy.

States at Summit on Peace in Ukraine agree on common positions and next steps

16.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
At the close of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine on Sunday, 16 June, the vast majority of participating states agreed on jointly formulated positions and next steps with a view to a future peace process. President Viola Amherd commended the joint communiqué that emerged from the Bürgenstock summit as a strong signal from the international community for peace based on international law and the UN Charter. 92 states from all regions of the world took part in the summit, 57 of which were represented by heads of state and government.

Education for children in emergency situations: Switzerland continues its support

14.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Armed conflicts, forced displacement and natural disasters mean that more and more children have no or only limited access to education. At its meeting on 14 June 2024, the Federal Council therefore decided to continue supporting the United Nations Education Cannot Wait (ECW) fund, which is committed to providing access to education in emergency situations and protracted crises. For the 2025–28 period, the Federal Council approved a contribution of CHF 33.3 million to the ECW, which Switzerland has supported with CHF 40 million since 2019.

Swiss president meets Portugal’s president and prime minister

12.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
President Viola Amherd met Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro on Wednesday, 12 June. The talks in Bern focused on the countries’ close bilateral relations, European policy, the upcoming summit on peace in Ukraine and cooperation between Switzerland and Portugal at multilateral level.

Ignazio Cassis discusses Ukraine's nuclear facilities with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi

12.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi in Bern on 12 June 2024. The discussions focused on the safety of Ukraine's nuclear facilities and Switzerland's support for the IAEA's work in Ukraine. The meeting is part of a series of high-level exchanges with the IAEA, and underscores the importance that Switzerland attaches to nuclear safety and security and to the IAEA as a whole, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine.

Presentation of credentials

11.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present credentials

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to attend third Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin

10.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland has been supporting the recovery and reconstruction process in Ukraine since the start of the war. In line with this commitment, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will attend the third Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Berlin on 11 and 12 June 2024, following on from the URCs in Lugano (2022) and London (2023). The Berlin conference will focus, among other things, on private sector involvement, social aspects and the promotion of local and regional development.

Summit on Peace in Ukraine: state of preparations and security measures

10.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
90 states and organisations have so far registered to attend the summit on peace in Ukraine at the Bürgenstock (NW) on 15/16 June. The aim of the high-level meeting of heads of state and government is to develop a common understanding for a possible path towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. This will then form the basis for a peace process. On 10 June, President Viola Amherd, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Nidwalden Cantonal Councillor Karin Kayser-Frutschi, together with Stephan Grieder, head of operations and chief of the Nidwalden Cantonal Police, and Major General Daniel Keller, Commander of Territorial Division 2, gave a briefing on the state of preparations and security measures.

Switzerland supporting Ukraine in digitalisation and e-governance

07.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 7 June, the Federal Council decided to continue supporting Ukraine in the areas of digitalisation and e-governance, approving CHF 58.7 million for this purpose over the next four years. Switzerland is thus promoting democratic reforms in Ukraine through digitalisation and at the same time increasing the transparency of state-provided services. Both areas are of crucial importance for Ukraine to rebuild.

Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Bürgenstock: Confederation to contribute to security costs

07.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
The Summit on Peace in Ukraine will take place on 15 and 16 June 2024 at the Bürgenstock resort in the canton of Nidwalden. A major security operation is in place to ensure the safety of the event and those attending. At its meeting on 7 June 2024, the Federal Council decided to consider the summit an 'extraordinary event'. This means that the Confederation will contribute to the security costs borne by the canton of Nidwalden.

David Grichting appointed head of the FDFA's Directorate for Resources DR

07.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council appointed David Grichting as the new head of the Directorate for Resources (DR) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in its meeting on 7 June 2024. David Grichting currently heads the FDFA’s Consular Directorate (CD). He will take up his new post on 1 January 2025 succeeding to Tania Cavassini, who has been appointed ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco by the Federal Council. The FDFA will appoint a selection committee to to evaluate candidates to succeed David Grichting.

Other news (300)

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.

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