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.
14.02.2025
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Press releases
EDA
Due to the grave situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Switzerland is providing CHF 3 million in humanitarian aid. This support package will go mainly to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other partners on the ground who are already active in the areas of health, protection of the civilian population and emergency aid for displaced persons.
13.02.2025
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Press releases
EDA
The state secretary of the FDFA, Mr Alexandre Fasel, and his Indian counterpart, Mr Tanmaya Lal, met today in New Delhi for the 13th round of annual bilateral political consultations. These discussions marked an important stage in cooperation between the two countries, focusing on economic relations, environmental challenges and regional and international issues.
12.02.2025
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Press releases
EDA
The 2025–28 country programme marks the start of a twelve-year federal support process for reconstruction, reform and sustainable development in Ukraine. At its meeting on 12 February, the Federal Council defined the priorities of the country programme, namely protection of the civilian population, peace, economic recovery and strengthening institutions. CHF 1.5 billion from the international cooperation budget has been earmarked up to 2028. Ambassador Jacques Gerber, the Federal Council's delegate for Ukraine, is responsible for implementing the country programme.
08.02.2025
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), visited Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil from 3 to 7 February. Finalising the EFTA–Mercosur free trade agreement and advancing Switzerland's economic interests were central to the Federal Councillor's discussions in these three countries. Other current foreign policy issues were also addressed.
31.01.2025
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will visit Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil from 3 to 7 February 2025. As part of its Americas Strategy 2022–25, Switzerland aims to strengthen its political relations with the countries of the Americas in the areas of foreign policy, the economy, innovation and culture. The agenda for the trip includes the finalisation of the EFTA-Mercosur free trade agreement, Switzerland's economic interests, and bilateral relations between Switzerland and these three Latin American countries.
30.01.2025
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Press releases
EDA
Every four years, Switzerland presents to the other UN member states how it is progressing in implementing the 2030 Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In its country report, which will be presented in mid-2026, it will also draw on information from the cantons, communes and organisations from the business community, the financial centre, academia and civil society. All relevant actors have until the end of May 2025 to submit details of their activities via the 'SDGital2030' digital platform.
29.01.2025
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Press releases
EDA
At its 29 January 2025 meeting, the Federal Council was informed about how the cuts to development cooperation decided on by Parliament will be implemented. In late December, Parliament made cuts of CHF 110 million to the 2025 budget and CHF 321 million to the 2026–28 financial plan for bilateral and multilateral development cooperation. The cuts do not affect humanitarian aid, peace promotion or support for Ukraine.
29.01.2025
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Press releases
EDA
Electronic signatures on documents should be recognised in Switzerland and in the European Union (EU). At its meeting on 29 January 2025, the Federal Council instructed the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) to draw up a corresponding mandate for negotiating with the EU, in collaboration with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
24.01.2025
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Press releases
EDA
The chairperson-in-office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Finland's foreign minister Elina Valtonen, has appointed Christoph Späti as the Special Representative of the Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship for the South Caucasus. The Swiss expert, who most recently served as programme manager for the South Caucasus in the FDFA's Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD), took up the post of Special Representative on 21 January 2025.
23.01.2025
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Press releases
EDA
At the 2025 edition of the World Economic Forum, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, placed particular emphasis on European policy and the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East. He also raised matters relating to security and cooperation, particularly as Switzerland prepares to chair the OSCE in 2026.
23.01.2025
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Press releases
EDA
On 23 January, at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland and Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding the role of Swiss businesses operating in Ukraine in the country's recovery. The MoU was signed by Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko.
20.01.2025
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Press releases
EDA
On 20 January 2025, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Vice President of the Federal Council and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), welcomed Mr Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of the State Affairs Council of the People's Republic of China, in Bern for an official working visit. Switzerland and the People's Republic of China are currently celebrating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
18.11.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA – Check against delivery
15.11.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Floods and droughts are on the increase worldwide. They impact the poorest population groups in developing countries particularly hard. To bolster their resilience and assist them in adapting to climate change, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Ignazio Cassis, decided to contribute CHF 15 million to the Paris Agreement's Adaptation Fund (AF).
15.11.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, will travel to New York on 18 November 2024 to participate in two Security Council meetings organised by the United Kingdom on the situations in the Middle East and in Ukraine.
14.11.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland has been tasked by the UN with organising a Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions on the protection of civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory. The FDFA is responsible for organising the conference. Ambassador Franz Perrez will oversee this process, while Ambassador Salman Bal will conduct consultations. The conference is scheduled to take place in March 2025 in Geneva. The Federal Council was briefed on the progress of work to organise the conference at its meeting on 13 November 2024.
12.11.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Alexandre Fasel, the state secretary of the FDFA, met with Deng Li, vice foreign minister of the People's Republic of China on 12 November in Beijing. The meeting was held within the framework of the bilateral political dialogue between Switzerland and China. On the agenda were a review of bilateral relations, including the dialogue on human rights; economic relations, including the optimisation of the free trade agreement; multilateral and international issues; and the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East.
11.11.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the FDFA, in partnership with four local organisations, is launching a new project aimed at reducing the mortality rate among mothers and children under the age of five in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, has approved CHF 11.9 million for this project, which will benefit over eight million people.
06.11.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
On 6 November 2024, the Federal Council approved a loan of CHF 44.7 million to the Foundation for Buildings for International Organisations (FIPOI). This funding will facilitate the demolition and reconstruction of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) headquarters in Geneva. The construction work is planned to last four years, from 2026 to 2029.
06.11.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 6 November 2024, the Federal Council held an in-depth discussion on the status of negotiations with the EU and internal implementation of the package. In most dossiers, negotiations are well advanced. Negotiations on the free movement of persons, electricity and Switzerland's contribution to cohesion within the EU are continuing apace, with the aim of achieving a convergence of positions. Internal work and discussions with the cantons, the social and economic partners and interest groups have enabled progress to be made on a number of fronts.
06.11.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
On Wednesday, 6 November, the second day of the state visit, the president of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, and First Lady Eva Pavlová were received on Bundesplatz by the federal government, led by President Viola Amherd. The official speeches and the talks that followed focused on the security situation and outlook for the European continent, as well as on bilateral relations between Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
31.10.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
On 30 October 2024, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, took part in the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine's 10-Point Peace Formula. This meeting in Montreal concludes the series of follow-up conferences announced in June 2024 at the Bürgenstock resort. During the conference, Mr Cassis held political discussions with Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
31.10.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Gathered in Geneva, 2,200 delegates from all over the world approved five resolutions aimed at strengthening humanitarian action in a world of constant change, where humanitarian needs are immense. The work, in which Switzerland actively participated, focused on compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL).
29.10.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Next week the Federal Council, led by President Viola Amherd, will receive the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, for a state visit. The Federal Council’s invitation to President Pavel and First Lady Eva Pavlová reflects the excellent relations between Switzerland and the Czech Republic. In addition to shared values and vibrant political, economic and cultural exchanges, the two countries share close personal and historical ties.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.