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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.

Jacques Gerber appointed Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine

04.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Bern, 04.09.2024 – At its meeting on 4 September 2024, the Federal Council appointed Jacques Gerber to act as Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine. Mr Gerber, who is currently councillor of state for the canton of Jura, will carry out preparatory work for and manage the Federal Council's consolidated 'Ukraine country programme'. The 51-year-old will take up his new post on 1 January 2025.

Swiss embassy in Baghdad reopens

03.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland reopened its embassy in Iraq today, 33 years after closing its previous representation due to the 1991 Gulf War. By reopening the embassy, the Federal Council aims to strengthen bilateral relations with the populous country and deepen cooperation in economic, security and migration matters. This move also fulfils an objective of the Federal Council's MENA Strategy 2021–24.

Presentation of credentials

03.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present credentials

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis commemorates 75 years of the Geneva Conventions

26.08.2024 — Press releases EDA
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis was in Geneva on Monday to mark the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. After opening a panel discussion in the presence of the members of the Security Council invited to the United Nations’ Geneva headquarters, the Federal Councillor took part in a symbolic moment on the Place des Nations. Ignazio Cassis called on States and all international actors to renew their commitment to international humanitarian law and to make the Geneva Conventions a political priority.

Switzerland working to improve situation in Sudan

23.08.2024 — Press releases EDA
Civil war has been raging in Sudan since April 2023, ravaging the civilian population and spawning one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. As part of its good offices, Switzerland is providing a platform for diplomatic talks on a way out of the crisis.

UN Security Council members to visit Geneva

20.08.2024 — Press releases EDA
At Switzerland's invitation, members of the UN Security Council will visit Geneva on 25 and 26 August 2024. On 26 August, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will participate in an exchange between the members of the Security Council together with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone, currently President of the Council, which will focus on respecting and strengthening international humanitarian law 75 years after the adoption of the Geneva Conventions. The visit will also showcase the expertise of International Geneva in the prevention of emerging threats to peace and security.

Ignazio Cassis meets Italy's foreign affairs minister Antonio Tajani, with whom he attends Locarno Film Festival

12.08.2024 — Press releases EDA
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani paid an official visit to Switzerland today, where he met with the head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. On the Brissago Islands, they discussed bilateral relations and international affairs. The two ministers then attended the traditional Diplomacy Day, an event promoted by the Locarno Film Festival, which this year enjoys the support of the Italian embassy in Switzerland.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to visit Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games

26.07.2024 — Press releases EDA
Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, will be in Paris from 30 to 31 July 2024 to attend the Olympic Games and meet the Swiss delegation. He will also visit the Maison Suisse, where he will meet members of the Swiss community living in France. Mr Cassis' visit underscores the Confederation's commitment to promoting cooperation and Switzerland's image at the Games.

Media (3346)

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

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

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

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

Jacques Gerber appointed Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine

Swiss embassy in Baghdad reopens

Presentation of credentials

03.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present credentials

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis commemorates 75 years of the Geneva Conventions

Switzerland working to improve situation in Sudan

UN Security Council members to visit Geneva

Ignazio Cassis meets Italy's foreign affairs minister Antonio Tajani, with whom he attends Locarno Film Festival

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to visit Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games

Other news (300)

Federal Council calls for immediate end to hostilities and facilitates provision of humanitarian aid in Syria

16.10.2019 — EDA
The Federal Council condemns Turkey's military intervention in Syria, which it considers to be in violation of the UN Charter and therefore contrary to international law. It calls on Turkey to immediately cease all hostilities and to work through negotiation towards immediate de-escalation and a political solution to the conflict. Switzerland has stated this position to Turkey several times in recent days. At the same time, the Federal Council decided at its meeting of 16 October 2019 to aid the establishment of business relations necessary for the work of the humanitarian actors active in Syria. The amended ordinance on measures against Syria will enter into force on 15 November 2019.

Switzerland steps up efforts to fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis – Ignazio Cassis announces extra 7 million

10.10.2019 — EDA
Every year, 2.5 million people die of AIDS, malaria or tuberculosis, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. At a pledging conference hosted in Lyon on Thursday in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis announced a CHF 7 million increase in Switzerland's contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The Geneva-based Global Fund is a priority multilateral partner for Switzerland's international cooperation.

Syrian-Turkish border – Switzerland calls on all parties to refrain from hostilities

09.10.2019 — EDA
Switzerland is following recent developments on the Syrian-Turkish border in north-eastern Syria with concern. It calls on all parties to refrain from hostilities and to respect international law, in particular international humanitarian law.

UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development visits Switzerland

02.10.2019 — EDA
The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development visited Switzerland from 23 September to 2 October 2019. The purpose of this official country visit was to meet representatives from the Federal Administration, cantons and NGOs and learn about Switzerland's implementation of the right to development.

Second 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

30.09.2019 — EDA
On 26 and 27 September 2019 a second 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.

Switzerland tables new Human Rights Council resolution for the abolition of the death penalty

27.09.2019 — EDA
The death penalty should not be applied any longer in the 21st century among others for drug or terrorism-related crimes. This is the objective of a resolution tabled by Switzerland together with seven other countries at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. During the Council's 42nd session, which ended on Friday 27 September, Switzerland also contributed to a resolution aimed at strengthening transitional justice.

Switzerland facilitates a meeting between Georgia and the Russian Federation

26.09.2019 — EDA
As part of its Good Offices, Switzerland has initiated and facilitated a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Georgia, H.E. David Zalkaliani, and the Russian Federation, H.E. Sergey Lavrov.

UN General Assembly: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis calls for a peaceful solution to the Syrian conflict and climate change mitigation

24.09.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis has set several priorities as Switzerland celebrates 100 years of multilateralism this year. Last week, he signed a joint declaration with the Canton and City of Geneva reaffirming their commitment to International Geneva's role as a centre of global governance. At the high-level week of the UN General Assembly in New York, Mr Cassis has now called on the international community to strengthen human rights, adding that this will require innovative approaches. During his stay in New York, Mr Cassis will also speak about UN reforms and climate change mitigation, hold bilateral talks, and meet staff of the Swiss mission to the UN and the Swiss consulate general in the city.

President Maurer calls on international community to follow global "compasses" and actively tackle future digital challenges

24.09.2019 — EDA
During the United Nations (UN) ministerial week, President Ueli Maurer described the UN Charter and the Geneva Conventions as "compasses of values" that are ever increasing in importance in a time of great uncertainty. The international community has the duty to protect the rights of every country and every person. The digital transformation and, in particular, data protection as part of human rights were also a focal point of his speech to the UN General Assembly.

WEF Sustainable Development Impact Summit 2019: Closing Plenary Session: “Mobilizing Action for Inclusive Societies”

24.09.2019 — EDA
New York, 24.09.2019 - Speech by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the 74th UN General Assembly - Check against delivery

EU-hosted high-level meeting on the Syrian crisis

24.09.2019 — EDA
New York, 24.09.2019 - Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the 74th UN General Assembly - Check against delivery

Innovation, investment, Swiss community: Ignazio Cassis opens consulate general in Chicago

23.09.2019 — EDA
Switzerland is once again represented in the Midwest, a major economic region of the United States, with a consulate general. At the opening ceremony in Chicago, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis highlighted the potential for increasing cooperation in various areas such as innovation. The reopening of the Chicago representation by the FDFA comes in response to a parliamentary request. The consulate general will increase the support available to Swiss companies in the Chicago metropolitan area and it serves as a further example of strengthened Swiss-US ties.

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