All news (850)
Didier Burkhalter meets Sudanese foreign minister in Bern
16.05.2017
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Press release
EDA
On 16 May 2017 Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter received Ibrahim Ghandour, the Sudanese foreign minister, in Bern. It is the first time since 2005 that a meeting at ministerial level has taken place between the two countries. The meeting covered recent developments in Sudan, the country's role in the region and opportunities for dialogue and cooperation to enable progress in the areas of political reform, human rights promotion and compliance, the management of migration and the protection of migrants.
Didier Burkhalter in Cyprus for the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and in Jordan to inaugurate a water supply system in a refugee camp
16.05.2017
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Press release
EDA
Migration, its consequences and what a country like Switzerland can do to help will be at the top of the agenda during Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter's two-day trip to Cyprus and Jordan. Mr Burkhalter, who is head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will be in Cyprus on Friday to attend the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. He will then go to Amman, the capital of Jordan, to inaugurate a water supply system in Azraq refugee camp. Switzerland's support for victims of the Syrian crisis is the country's largest humanitarian operation to date.
The lasting imprint of Swiss cooperation in Vietnam
12.05.2017
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Article
DEZA
As planned several years ago, the SDC officially terminated its bilateral cooperation activities with Vietnam at the end of 2016. Much lasting progress has been made over the years, and many rural inhabitants now have a say in local decision-making.
Promoting democracy in developing countries: a futile effort?
11.05.2017
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Article
DEZA
An event on the topic of ‘Promoting Democracy in Developing Countries: an Exercise in Futility?’ was held at the University of Zurich on 11 May 2017 as part of the FDFA’s Democracy without Borders initiative launched by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter. The event, organised together with NCCR Democracy, sparked much interest. A talk by Ambassador Thomas Greminger was followed by a discussion with panellists from the academic community, NGOs and think tanks.
Coordinating assistance for people in need: Swiss and foreign search and rescue teams train in Switzerland
09.05.2017
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Press release
EDA
Expertise, rapid response and good coordination save lives. Five teams from four countries are taking part in a training exercise designed to test their operational capabilities in a simulated emergency following a virtual earthquake. Swiss Humanitarian Aid, part of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the Swiss Armed Forces are hosting the three-day ACHILLES exercise, which is taking place between 8 and 10 May, mainly in the Swiss Armed Forces training village at Epeisses in the canton of Geneva. Alongside Swiss Rescue, teams from Germany, France and the UK are also taking part.
Innovative measures to help people in need: Switzerland and the ICRC to expand cooperation
01.05.2017
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Press release
EDA
On 1 May 2017, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, renewed and expanded the 2013 agreement on cooperation between Switzerland and the ICRC. The new agreement will make it possible to explore the potential for innovative measures in fulfilling the ICRC’s humanitarian mandate. It could involve new technical solutions such as the reproduction of medical instruments in the field using 3D printing and the use of innovative financing models. International Geneva will also play a key role in the cooperation between the ICRC and Switzerland.
Switzerland steps up cooperation with the EU in the fields of humanitarian aid and civil protection
28.04.2017
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Press release
EDA
The frequency and magnitude of disasters have increased significantly in recent years. Switzerland and the EU have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in order to respond more effectively to emergencies in Europe and worldwide. On 28 April 2017, the two partners signed an administrative agreement to facilitate the exchange of information and best practices.
Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to multilateral development banks
12.04.2017
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Press release
EDA
Multilateral development banks play a central role in supporting the poorest developing countries. Their expertise and size enable them to tackle global challenges such as financial crises, climate change and pandemics. On 12 April 2017, the Federal Council therefore decided to allocate the necessary resources to participate in replenishing the corresponding funds, namely the International Development Agency (IDA), the World Bank, the African Development Fund (AfDF) and the Asian Development Fund (AsDF).
Switzerland to support UN in drafting of global compact on migration
07.04.2017
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Press release
EDA
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is the international community's response to the challenges of migration at international level. The president of the UN General Assembly has tasked Switzerland's representative to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Jürg Lauber, and his Mexican counterpart, Juan José Gómez Camacho, to facilitate the drafting of the international framework on migration.
Syria crisis – FDFA position statement
07.04.2017
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Press release
EDA
Following the use of chemical weapons in Syria, which constitutes a war crime that Switzerland condemns in the strongest terms possible, Switzerland calls for a concerted and rapid response by the Security Council and to avoid a military escalation.
Mental health: a neglected aspect of development
06.04.2017
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Article
DEZA
Access to physical and mental healthcare is a basic human right – one which for many people remains a luxury. The third Sustainable Development Goal stresses the right to health in general terms, highlighting the importance of access to healthcare for all and of promotion and prevention for mental health.
Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to preventing violent extremism
06.04.2017
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Press release
EDA
The FDFA's Human Security Division dedicated its annual conference to the prevention of violent extremism. The conference, which was opened by FDFA deputy state secretary Krystyna Marty Lang in Bern on Thursday 6 April 2017, highlighted the key role of political inclusion in preventing violent extremism. It was also an opportunity to showcase Switzerland's international efforts in this area.