The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are particularly severe in developing countries. The FDFA has taken immediate action to mitigate the economic and health effects of the crisis there. It is providing emergency humanitarian aid, supporting international action, and focusing on the management of COVID-19 in ongoing bilateral and global development programs. Furthermore, Switzerland also provides assistance in the area of peace policy.

In this guest article for the NZZ, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis takes his own look back at an extraordinary year – a whirlwind 12 months that left little time for reflection amid ever-changing case numbers. Cassis addresses a number of questions. Who decides how much a human life is worth? How important are open borders? And how will we make sense of it all whenever normality returns?

On Monday evening, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis was a guest on the programme "60 Minuti" on RSI. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) spoke about the importance of federalism in Switzerland and the measures adopted by the Federal Council to combat the COVID 19 pandemic. Among other things, personal responsibility and mutual solidarity are decisive factors in the fight against the pandemic.

Poor sanitary conditions pose a health risk. This is a major problem, particularly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But even today, one third of the world's population has no adequate access to clean water. To help people living poverty protect themselves during the current pandemic, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is supporting hygiene awareness campaigns and the creation of more handwashing stations.

When missing people come home, this eases the burden on their families and stabilises society – an important prerequisite for future peace. On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Red Cross Central Tracing Agency, Switzerland pledges to continue supporting it.

The COVID-19 health crisis in India has been intensifying dramatically over the past few weeks. Switzerland is responding and providing aid. A Swiss cargo plane headed for New Delhi took off from Zurich at noon today with medical supplies, including 50 ventilators from the Armed Forces Pharmacy and oxygen concentrators. Manuel Bessler, head of Swiss Humanitarian Aid, is coordinating this relief operation. In this interview, he shares some background information.

Switzerland remains fully committed to the search for a political solution to the Syrian conflict. The decade-long war has left Syria and the region facing a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions. On 30 March, the Fifth EU–UN Conference on Syria took place in Brussels. At the meeting, Deputy State Secretary Johannes Matyassy announced that Switzerland will provide the Syrian people in Syria and the region with CHF 60 million in aid.

On 1 March 2020, the United Nations held a virtual high-level pledging event for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, co-hosted by the governments of Sweden and Switzerland. The Swiss government was represented for the first time by Ignazio Cassis, Vice President and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Switzerland has pledged CHF 14 million to support the humanitarian response in Yemen.

At the end of January, Swiss Humanitarian Aid completed the first phase of its mission in Croatia. Some 20 mobile housing units for victims of the recent earthquake were delivered to the country's civil protection authorities. Ambassador Emilija Georgieva speaks to us from Zagreb about the embassy's role in Croatia and the good relations the two countries have cultivated over the years. Cooperation and dialogue emerged as the key themes.

Following the incidents around the Capitol in Washington DC, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis condemned any attack on freedom, democracy and national integrity. At the same time, he underlined his confidence in the institutions of the USA. State Secretary Livia Leu received the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Bern.

Switzerland and China are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations. What began with a telegram on 17 January 1950 has grown into a close and multifaceted relationship. Switzerland continues to take a constructive shaping role in this partnership, addressing differences on an equal footing with China. What follows are seven stories on seven decades of lively relations covering partnership, diplomacy, economic affairs, science, culture, tourism and sport.

Switzerland has decided to offer financial support to help renovate the barracks of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. The contribution comes in the light of the 100th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and the Vatican, and offers the perfect opportunity to learn more about the renovation project as well as about life in this multilingual corps that is also the world's smallest army.

Digital technologies are transforming the economy, society and international relations. As an economic and research hub, Switzerland seeks to maintain its privileged position alongside some of the world's most competitive actors. It actively supports the UN's normative framework to promote responsible state behaviour in the digital space and promotes multilateral cooperation in this area.

In his first statement to the UN Security Council, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), speaks about the impact of climate change on peace and international security. In an open debate of the UN Security Council, Cassis explains what Switzerland is doing to help prevent conflicts and why cross-sectoral cooperation is vitally important in the fight against climate change.

In his opening address to the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis stressed the importance of fundamental rights – in particular, human rights – and called on participants to commit to finding a common solution to the global challenges faced. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) went on to underline Switzerland's categorical opposition to the death penalty anywhere in the world.

Ambassador of Switzerland Thomas Greminger has been appointed head of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) starting 1 May 2021. This Geneva-based organisation provides training and facilitates cooperation around the world, with a particular focus on security issues and the promotion of dialogue between different sectors. Together with the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, the GCSP is a key pillar of International Geneva.

The FDFA advises caution and preparation when travelling during the summer holidays. Information on the regulations of the country of destination as well as on the rules for returning to Switzerland are prerequisites.

Summer is here! Switzerland offers many opportunities to spend the summer holidays, especially with children. However, if you still want to travel abroad with children this summer, it is important to find out about the entry requirements for the destination country before you leave. In the case of minor children travelling with only one parent or without a legal guardian, it is strongly recommended to draw up a declaration of consent.

The Federal Council ordered a freeze on any assets of ousted Tunisian President Ben Ali and his entourage on 19 January 2011. Subsequently, a judicial cooperation between Tunisia and Switzerland was established. Within the framework of this cooperation, the judicial authorities ordered additional asset freezes. As a result, the expiration of the Federal Council's freezing order as of midnight on 18 January 2021 does not necessarily mean that the assets in question will be released.

Mountain regions are particularly threatened by the effects of climate change. Switzerland is committed to the sustainable development of the world's mountain regions and better living conditions for the especially vulnerable populations who inhabit these areas in developing countries. UN-designated International Mountain Day raises awareness of the importance and fragility of mountain ecosystems.

By supporting a new training programme for sanitary engineers, Swiss international cooperation is helping Ukraine switch from theory-based learning to a practice-based system. This gives young people job prospects in their own country. The public-private project underlines the importance of a holistic approach in international cooperation.

This World AIDS Day, we visit Geneva and Harare to hear the stories of young champions of change. Leave no one behind: that is the message at the heart of the 2030 Agenda, also in the fight against transmissible diseases, as well as the driving force behind the work carried out by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in collaboration with its bilateral and multilateral partners. A strong network of young people is crucial in order to reach beyond prevention.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will be on an official visit to Africa from 7 to 13 February 2021. He will travel to Algeria, Mali, Senegal and The Gambia, where he will meet with government representatives to discuss implementation of the recently adopted FDFA strategies for the MENA region and sub-Saharan Africa. These set out Switzerland's future engagement in the two regions. Efforts will focus on four thematic areas derived from the Foreign Policy Strategy: peace, security and human rights; prosperity; sustainability; and digitalisation.

Africa is becoming increasingly relevant and presents new opportunities despite major challenges. On 13 January 2021, the Federal Council adopted the Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy through which it intends to implement the Foreign Policy Strategy in the countries south of the Sahara. For the first time, Switzerland is consolidating the various policy areas into a coherent overall approach. The aim is broad-based cooperation with its African partners on an equal footing.

Presence Switzerland (PRS) was instructed to revise the FDFA sponsorship policy as a direct result of the department's new strategy for communication abroad. The policy establishes the criteria governing future private sponsorship partnerships for its head office and representations abroad. What changes have been introduced to the PRS sponsorship manual? The head of PRS, Nicolas Bideau, explains.

Switzerland has signed a restitution agreement with Peru and Luxembourg. It intends to return to the Peruvian authorities illicit assets amounting to 16.3 million dollars that were deposited in Switzerland by Vladimiro Montesinos, the former head of Peru's intelligence service. Corinne Cicéron Bühler, head of the Directorate of International Law (DIL), explains the significance of this agreement.

On 21 May 2021, 47 foreign ministers met online for the 131st Session of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers. They work as a team, also in the digital sphere. It is precisely the digital sphere that presents the Council of Europe with both a challenge and an opportunity to safeguard human rights, democracy and the rule of law not only in the physical world but also in cyberspace. Four Swiss experts working in the Council of Europe share their experiences.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis talks about the framework agreement in an interview with CH Media. He emphasises the clear position of the Federal Council, adding that failing to strike a deal and reaching an agreement both come at a price. The bilateral path remains in place in both cases.

Confident, cosmopolitan and creative: in his address at the Churchill Symposium, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis takes a look at Switzerland's role in Europe and Winston Churchill's special relationship with this country. Thereby, raising the question: What does an entrepreneur from Urdorf have to do with the colourful history of Switzerland's foreign policy?

Twelve representatives of Switzerland's cantons, communes and cities sit in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. The Congress is an important forum that gives a voice to the local and regional authorities of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe, allowing them to share their insight and defend local and regional democracy. Five members of the Swiss 2021–26 delegation talk about their work and motivation.

The FDFA is launching a new version of the W'sHR app on 8 March 2021 in New York. The app facilitates negotiations and helps improve the efficiency of multilateral processes.

At the annual meeting of the 123 states that have ratified the Rome Statute – the basis of the International Criminal Court under international law – FDFA State Secretary Krystyna Marty Lang reiterated Switzerland's unequivocal support for the Court. Switzerland is thus contributing to the enforcement of international humanitarian law and human rights and is fighting impunity for the most serious crimes of all.

The respect of human rights forms the foundations for a lasting peace. This is the guiding principle behind Switzerland's commitment at the multilateral level, and the message is clear on 10 December, on the occasion of International Human Rights Day. In this context, we will look at Switzerland's joint action to abolish the death penalty and hear the story of a man condemned for an offence he allegedly committed as a minor.

The International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (the "Code of Conduct") was launched 10 years ago. It obliges private security service providers to respect human rights and international humanitarian law and to prevent their violation. Switzerland was influential in creating the code of conduct and is head of its supervisory board. As a neutral stakeholder it encourages dialogue between private security companies, states and NGOs, as well as a range of Observers including multinational companies.

The remains of the Swiss hostage killed in Mali have been found and identified. The woman's body will be repatriated to Switzerland as soon as possible. Federal Councillor Cassis discussed the matter with government officials during his visit to Mali in February 2021.

At the end of 2020, more than one in ten Swiss people were living abroad – almost two-thirds of them elsewhere in Europe, mainly France. These are among the findings of the Federal Statistical Office's statistics for 2020 on the Swiss abroad, published at the end of March.

The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) commences on 15 March for a duration of two weeks. Switzerland is closely involved in this world conference – the largest dedicated to women and gender equality.

They are committed worldwide on behalf of Switzerland to peace, security and prosperity – the 930 employees of the three career paths: diplomacy, international cooperation and consular affairs, operations management and finance, KBF. After a successful selection procedure and two years of training, they actively shape Swiss foreign policy as transferable staff of the FDFA. Three of them, Guillaume Cassaigneau, Claudio Tognola and Stéphanie Périllard, talk about their careers at the FDFA.