All news (849)
Swiss Contribution to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
27.03.2013
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Press release
EDA
The Federal Council pledged today a Headquarters contribution of CHF 70 million to the ICRC for the current year. This support will be provided from the framework credit of Switzerland’s humanitarian aid.
Swiss participation in the Asian Development Fund
27.03.2013
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland will continue its support for the poorest countries of Asia through its development cooperation. The Federal Council ruled on March 27 to pledge CHF 48 million to the Asian Development Fund over the next four years. The fund supports the poorest developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.
Swiss Expertise solicited in Czech winter-sports resorts
25.03.2013
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Article
EB
Within the scope of a small project that unfolded in the frame of the Czech-Swiss Partnership Fund, the national branch-association Swiss Cableways (SBS) and the Czech Association for Transportation by Rope Asociace Ianové dopravy (ALDR), exchanged their know-how in the domains of training and marketing. The project, endowed with a budget of CHF 40,000, took place from January to December 2012.
The SDC launches a new cooperation programme in Cambodia
22.03.2013
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Press release
EDA
The SDC opens a new cooperation office on Thursday 21 March 2013 in Phnom Penh. This inauguration marks the official launch of a new Swiss cooperation programme in Cambodia focusing on agriculture and food security, local government and citizens’ participation, and job creation and professional training. This engagement is part of Switzerland’s new regional cooperation strategy for the Mekong region in the period 2013-2017.
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter stresses the urgent need to improve the water supply throughout the world
22.03.2013
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Press release
EDA
During an international meeting on water cooperation in The Hague today, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter stressed the importance of improving the water supply throughout the world. He said that the diversity and the number of future challenges around the issue of water mean that this should be an international priority. This is the goal of this meeting, which is part of the consultation process on water in order to produce a definition for the new United Nations Agenda for the fight against poverty.
The SDC’s commitment in Cambodia
21.03.2013
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Article
DEZA
Local governance, training and agriculture
The SDC’s new cooperation programme in Cambodia focuses on local governance and citizens’ participation, vocational training and employment, agriculture and food security. The programme is part of a new cooperation strategy for the Mekong region (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia) for 2013–2017.
Official visit by Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs
21.03.2013
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Press release
EDA
On 21st March 2013, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received his Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkēvičs for an official working visit. In addition to bilateral relations, the talks in Bern covered the European policy of both countries, aspects of multilateral cooperation, and current international issues.
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter travels to The Hague for World Water Day 2013
21.03.2013
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Press release
EDA
On the occasion of World Water Day 2013, which will take place on 22 March, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will participate in the High-Level Meeting at an international conference on cooperation aimed at ensuring the supply of water for the entire planet.
Swiss Delegation satisfied about conclusion of UN Session in New York on Violence against Women and Girls
16.03.2013
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Press release
EDA
The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) ended its 57th Session on Friday in New York. This year’s session focused on the priority theme “Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls”. The Swiss Delegation welcomes the adoption of the Agreed Conclusions that strengthen the status and the rights of women and girls and frame international policies and actions for the fight against violence. Switzerland was successfully elected as a member of the CSW with voting rights for a four-year period beginning with the 58th Session. It was further elected to the CSW-Bureau on March 15th for a two year mandate.
Switzerland to mark ICRC anniversary with a gift
15.03.2013
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Press release
EDA
To mark the 150th anniversary of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter presented the president of the ICRC, Peter Maurer, with Switzerland’s gift of the financial resources needed to recruit and train 150 delegates for the ICRC, Switzerland’s most important humanitarian partner. Another highlight of the annual conference of Switerland’s Humanitarian Aid in the “Kursaal” in Bern was the theme: “Accessing the Victims – the Challenge”, which was addressed in a series of speeches, panel discussions and interviews.
Switzerland joins “Friends of Yemen” group
07.03.2013
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Press release
EDA
Today marks the start of Swiss membership of “Friends of Yemen”, a group of over 30 states and several organisations which exists to support political transition in Yemen. At today’s meeting in London, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter mentioned that between 2012 and 2014 Switzerland has provided around CHF 20 million to support political stabilisation and improve the humanitarian situation in the country.
Swiss Delegation to participate in UN Session in New York on Violence against Women and Girls
28.02.2013
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Press release
EDA
The 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is scheduled to begin in New York on 4 March 2013. The priority theme of this year’s Session, which is to last until 15 March, spotlights possibilities for the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls. The Swiss delegation is being led by Benno Bättig, FDFA Secretary-General. Sylvie Durrer, Director of the Federal Office for Gender Equality, will be the deputy head of delegation.