All news (850)
UN consultations on Yemen in Stockholm: first step towards peace
14.12.2018
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland welcomes the UN-brokered agreement between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, and continues to support the work of the UN special envoy, Martin Griffiths.
Global compact receives go-ahead from Federal Council
07.12.2018
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Press release
EDA
In its meeting on 7 December, the Federal Council reviewed the global compact on refugees, which is expected to be endorsed by the UN General Assembly in conjunction with its annual resolution on the work of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Federal Council has tasked the FDFA to instruct Switzerland's permanent mission in New York to vote in favour of this resolution and to inform the competent parliamentary committees of its decision.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore in Bern
04.12.2018
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland works closely with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on tackling crucial child protection issues. At Tuesday's meeting in Bern, Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), and UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore stressed the importance of this relationship in implementing United Nations reforms and the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Ms Fore also met Manuel Sager, Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), along with members of Parliament.
Switzerland on track to achieve goals of international cooperation
30.11.2018
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland committed to a set of measurable targets in the Dispatch on Switzerland's International Cooperation 2017–2020. At its meeting on 30 November 2018 the Federal Council adopted the mid-term report, a summary of the results to date, indicating that Switzerland is largely on course to meet its objectives. Switzerland's engagement contributes to global peace, poverty reduction and sustainable development. In turn, this also benefits its own economic and security interests.
The Federal Council outlines the strategic markers for the upcoming dispatch on international cooperation (2021–2024)
30.11.2018
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Press release
EDA
Sustainable development and a stable international order are in Switzerland's interests. At its meeting on 30 November, the Federal Council discussed key priorities in preparing the upcoming dispatch on Switzerland's international cooperation for the period 2021–2024. As well as prioritising poverty reduction and human security, there will be greater focus on economic issues and harnessing the potential of the private sector more effectively. Efforts will also be made to consolidate strategic links between migration policy and international cooperation. Finally, the upcoming dispatch will identify four priority regions for FDFA initiatives in relation to bilateral development cooperation. For the first time, an optional consultation will be undertaken on the dispatch. This should generate a wide-ranging debate and strengthen support within Switzerland for its foreign policy actions.
Commodities: Federal Council continues to engage for competitive and morally sound business location
30.11.2018
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Press release
EDA
The commodities sector is an important component of the Swiss economy. In view of the progress made since 2013 and the ongoing challenges and emerging trends in this sector, the Federal Council adopted a report with 16 new recommendations during its meeting on 30 November 2018 in order to strengthen Switzerland's approach and international positioning.
President Alain Berset and Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard at UN Climate Conference in Poland
26.11.2018
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Press release
EDA
President Alain Berset and Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard will attend the next UN climate conference being held in Katowice, Poland, from 3 to 14 December. The international community will gather to draw up guidelines on implementing the Paris climate agreement, to be known as the Paris Rulebook. Switzerland will be pushing for detailed regulations.
Federal Council postpones final decision on Global Compact for Migration until conclusion of parliamentary debates
21.11.2018
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Press release
EDA
The Federal Council believes that the United Nations Global Compact for Migration is consistent with Switzerland's interests, as it aims to reduce irregular migration by setting benchmarks for orderly migration practices. However, the Federal Council wishes to postpone its final decision pending conclusion of the parliamentary debates. As a result, Switzerland will not attend the intergovernmental conference for the formal adoption of the global compact to be held in Marrakech on 10 and 11 December 2018.
World record-breaking giant postcard: SDC gives youth a voice in fight against climate change
16.11.2018
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Press release
EDA
Over 100,000 postcards with promises and messages about climate change from children and young people around the world will be used to stage a new Guinness world record on the Jungfraujoch: the biggest postcard of all time, raising awareness about climate change.
Working meeting in Bern between Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Lithuanian Minister for Foreign Affairs Linas Antanas Linkevičius
15.11.2018
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has met his Lithuanian counterpart, Linas Antanas Linkevičius, at the Von Wattenwyl House in Bern. The talks focused on bilateral matters, European policy and security issues.
Federal Council report on gold trading and human rights
14.11.2018
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Press release
EDA
At its meeting on 14 November 2018, the Federal Council has presented its gold report in response to a postulate submitted by Parliament. The report takes stock of the Swiss gold sector, reiterates the initiatives and measures already taken and formulates recommendations to ensure that the gold imported into Switzerland has not been produced in violation of human rights.
National Future Day at the FDFA: Carpets in the Federal Palace, mobile-phone free Federal Council Chamber, and a Federal Councillor with time for visitors
08.11.2018
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Press release
EDA
To mark National Future Day 2018, a group of some 80 children and young people spent a day at the workplace of their parents or relatives, getting a glimpse behind the scenes at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. They met Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis who showed them the room where the Federal Council holds its meetings and explained how the Federal Council works. That mobile phones are not allowed in the Federal Council Chamber surprised quite a number of the young visitors.