Press releases

All news (887)

Ukraine: Switzerland sends ambulances and more fire engines

13.04.2023 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is continuing its long-term support efforts in Ukraine. On Thursday 13 April, local NGOs in Kyiv received five used ambulances donated by the Canton of Basel-Stadt and the City of Zurich. More supplies and training will follow in the weeks to come. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), which is part of the FDFA, is funding and organising the transport.

Swiss Official Development Aid (ODA) in 2022 reaches record high of 0.56% of Gross National Income (GNI) due to war in Ukraine

12.04.2023 — Press release EDA
Swiss ODA amounted to CHF 4.274 billion, with asylum-related costs in Switzerland accounting for more than a quarter of that total. Excluding these asylum costs, the ODA/GNI ratio was 0.40%.

Switzerland's international cooperation: SDC allocates programme contributions to 27 NGO partners

24.03.2023 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has signed contribution agreements worth around CHF 270 million with 27 partners for the period 2023–24. Swiss NGOs are instrumental in accomplishing Switzerland's international cooperation objectives. With the support of the SDC and in cooperation with their local partners, they create decent jobs, work for the sustainable use of natural resources and transfer Swiss expertise and innovative approaches to local actors.

SDC prolongs support for Kantha Bopha children's hospitals in Cambodia for five more years

17.03.2023 — Press release EDA
The Kantha Bopha children's hospitals, founded by Dr Beat Richner in 1992, have made a major contribution to improving the health system in Cambodia over the past 30 years. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has backed these efforts since the very beginning and will continue to support the hospitals until 2027. On March 17, 2023, SDC Director General Patricia Danzi signed an agreement to this effect with the Kantha Bopha Foundation.

Switzerland pledges 15 million francs to the Bamboo-UNCDF Initiative for the Least Developed (BUILD) Fund

09.03.2023 — Press release EDA
Private Sector Engagement (PSE) is highlighted in the Swiss International Cooperation Strategy 2021–24 as an important modality to achieve sustainable development and poverty reduction. As part of the ambition to partner with the private sector in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) committed 15 million Swiss francs for the Bamboo-UNCDF Initiative for the Least Developed (BUILD) Fund.

Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria: Switzerland sends more experts and material

23.02.2023 — Press release EDA
Doctors, engineers, winter tents: Swiss Humanitarian Aid is continuing to support people affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. It has now been over two weeks since the devastating earthquake and people in the affected areas are still desperately in need of humanitarian assistance. Some CHF 8 million has already been made available to aid the survivors.

Switzerland continues winter aid deliveries to Ukraine

23.12.2022 — Press release EDA
The harsh winter is posing a severe threat to millions of Ukrainians. Many are without electricity and heating due to targeted attacks on the country's energy infrastructure. Switzerland is organising its next consignment of humanitarian aid for the Ukrainian population, with 40 heaters and an equal number of generators. The lorries loaded with this equipment left for Ukraine today.

Flooding in Nigeria and Chad: Switzerland releases CHF 1.5 million to help victims

04.11.2022 — Press release EDA
Nigeria and Chad are caught up in the throes of deadly floods. Switzerland is very concerned about the situation, which raises fears of increased food insecurity. It has decided to allocate CHF 750,000 as an emergency response to the crisis in Nigeria, and an additional CHF 300,000 for Chad.

Pakistan: Switzerland responds to needs of populations affected by flooding

15.09.2022 — Press release EDA
Pakistan is experiencing one of the worst disasters in its history. Almost a third of the country has been left under water by a monsoon of unprecedented proportions. The Pakistani authorities have launched an appeal for international aid in light of the scale of the needs. Switzerland has responded with a CHF 3 million contribution in support of emergency relief measures. It has also deployed a Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit team.

Switzerland prioritises prevention and preparedness at international conference on disaster risk reduction in Bali

24.05.2022 — Press release EDA
Switzerland will participate in the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, the largest international conference on disaster risk reduction, in Bali, Indonesia, from 23 to 28 May 2022. Government representatives and experts from business, academia and civil society will discuss global policies to prevent disasters and emergencies. The conference will mobilise governments, the UN system and key stakeholders to step up disaster risk reduction efforts and advance the goals of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Switzerland's official development assistance reached 0.51% of GNI in 2021

12.04.2022 — Press release EDA
In 2021, Swiss official development assistance (ODA) amounted to CHF 3.589 billion, CHF 243 million more than in 2020. As a share of gross national income (GNI), Swiss ODA totalled 0.51%, compared with 0.49% in 2020.

Working together to seek solutions to the challenges of climate change

31.03.2022 — Press release EDA
President Ignazio Cassis today opened the International Cooperation Forum 2022 in Geneva. Over two days, around 1,600 people from many sectors will work together to find new solutions to the problems caused by climate change and challenges facing international cooperation. The hybrid forum was launched by the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and will take place annually.

Media (556)

Ukraine: Switzerland sends ambulances and more fire engines

Swiss Official Development Aid (ODA) in 2022 reaches record high of 0.56% of Gross National Income (GNI) due to war in Ukraine

Switzerland's international cooperation: SDC allocates programme contributions to 27 NGO partners

SDC prolongs support for Kantha Bopha children's hospitals in Cambodia for five more years

Switzerland pledges 15 million francs to the Bamboo-UNCDF Initiative for the Least Developed (BUILD) Fund

Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria: Switzerland sends more experts and material

Switzerland continues winter aid deliveries to Ukraine

Flooding in Nigeria and Chad: Switzerland releases CHF 1.5 million to help victims

Pakistan: Switzerland responds to needs of populations affected by flooding

Switzerland prioritises prevention and preparedness at international conference on disaster risk reduction in Bali

Switzerland's official development assistance reached 0.51% of GNI in 2021

Working together to seek solutions to the challenges of climate change

Other news (331)

Inclusion and education: All means all – even during the COVID-19 crisis

24.06.2020 — Article DEZA
The international community has committed to ensuring access to quality education for all by 2030. However, nearly 265 million children and young people are currently neither in school nor in training. UNESCO's 2020 Global Education Monitoring Report reminds countries to focus on those who are left behind and progress towards inclusion in education. Inclusion plays a very important part in Switzerland's development cooperation.

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).

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brings together actors committed to finding shared solutions

17.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened the Global Refugee Forum together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The purpose of the forum, which takes place on 17 and 18 December at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, is to find shared solutions to meet the needs of refugees and their host communities.

Humanitarian aid responds to digital and climate challenges – 33rd Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent comes to a close

12.12.2019 — EDA
The 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent ended today in Geneva. The conference adopted six resolutions that will enable the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to improve its actions and adapt them to the needs of vulnerable groups, in a world where the demand for humanitarian aid has never been so high. The topic of digitalisation was on the agenda for discussion, for example in restoring family links broken by crisis situations. The conference was opened by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on Monday 9 December.

Ignazio Cassis calls for international humanitarian law to be strengthened at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

09.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis called for international humanitarian law to be strengthened in his opening speech at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent taking place in Geneva from 9 to 12 December. Mr Cassis praised the vital work of the 17 million volunteers who make up the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Swiss initiative: intentional starvation of civilians in civil wars is now a war crime

06.12.2019 — EDA
Following a Swiss initiative, the International Criminal Court (ICC) will from now on be able to prosecute the intentional starvation of civilians in civil wars as a war crime. The ICC Assembly of States Parties took a unanimous decision to this effect earlier today. It strengthens the protection of victims of war.

Swiss diplomat Heidi Grau named OSCE Special Representative for Ukraine

05.12.2019 — EDA
In a triumph for Swiss diplomacy, the 26th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has opened with the Chairperson-in-Office, Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák, appointing Ambassador Heidi Grau as Special Representative for Ukraine. A renowned Swiss expert on Eastern Europe, Ambassador Grau thus assumes a key role in working towards an end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis welcomes the news of her appointment and considers this a testament to the reputation Swiss diplomacy enjoys within and beyond the OSCE.

Walter Kälin appointed to UN High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement

04.12.2019 — EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes UN Secretary-General António Guterres' decision to appoint Swiss law professor Walter Kälin as one of the experts of the UN's newly established High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement, which is tasked with finding solutions to internal displacement and alleviating its impact.

An exhibition to further understanding the importance of humanitarian principles

04.12.2019 — EDA
Humanitarian action is centred on the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. Together with the Musée de l'Elysée in Lausanne and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is hosting an exhibition and forum for debate on humanitarian action and its founding principles. The art installation will run until March 2020 at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva.

30 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets two school classes on the occasion

20.11.2019 — EDA
The right to education, protection, play and leisure – children have certain rights that, alongside their general welfare, states are obliged to guarantee. These obligations are enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was adopted 30 years ago today. To mark the occasion, Mr Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, opened the doors of the Federal Palace in Bern to two school classes from the canton of Ticino.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen to discuss a political solution to the Syrian conflict

21.10.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis has met with the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, in Bern to discuss the situation in Syria and possible ways of finding a political solution. They conferred about the most recent escalation of the conflict in north-eastern Syria and the upcoming first meeting of the Syrian Constitutional Committee in Geneva by the end of the month. Switzerland provides humanitarian support for the people of Syria and neighbouring countries.