All news (850)
Swiss professor to co-chair group of experts for the first Global Sustainable Development Report
12.01.2017
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland welcomes the appointment of Professor Peter Messerli of the University of Bern as co-chair of a panel of experts selected to draft the first Global Sustainable Development Report on the 2030 Agenda. His candidacy as an independent expert was supported by Switzerland.
Federal Council approves 2016 Foreign Policy Report
11.01.2017
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Press release
EDA
The Federal Council approved the 2016 Foreign Policy Report at its meeting on 11 January 2017. The report gives an overview of Swiss foreign policy and provides an account of Switzerland’s most important foreign policy activities in 2016, in particular in the areas of development cooperation, humanitarian aid and good offices. This year’s report contains a chapter focusing on Switzerland’s efforts to promote peace and development in the crisis regions stretching from Syria to the Sahel.
Yemen: Switzerland reaffirms its commitment and appeals to warring parties
23.12.2016
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Press release
EDA
In view of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, Switzerland is reaffirming its commitment to help the destitute civilian population by making an additional CHF 3 million available to the Yemen Humanitarian Pooled Fund managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) over the next 12 months. The money will be used to fund water, hygiene and nutrition projects.
Switzerland supports the UN resolution on combating impunity in Syria
22.12.2016
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Press release
EDA
The UN General Assembly in New York has decided to set up an independent investigative mechanism, designed to lay the basis for future legal proceedings against those responsible for the most serious breaches of international law in Syria. Right from the outset, Switzerland supported the resolution sponsored by Liechtenstein and welcomes this significant step to combat impunity in Syria.
Reducing hunger in the world – Swiss international cooperation supports agricultural research
21.12.2016
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Press release
EDA
At its meeting on 21 December 2016, the Federal Council approved the continuation of Switzerland’s financial contribution to the Global Agricultural Research Partnership (CGIAR) for the period 2017 to 2019. The partnership provides targeted and efficient solutions to the challenges of hunger and malnutrition, and, by supporting it, Switzerland is contributing to the fight against hunger, one of the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The need for optimal coordination to combat HIV/AIDS
12.12.2016
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Article
DEZA
Switzerland hosted a meeting of UNAIDS’s governing board in Geneva from 6 to 8 December 2016. In its capacity as chair of the board, it invited all members to a day of site visits in the Geneva region. The aim was to highlight the importance of highly effective coordination between prevention services and patient care in the field of HIV/AIDS.
The Directorate of International Law briefs the public on the blocking and restitution of stolen assets
12.12.2016
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EDA
On 12 December 2016, the Directorate of International Law held its annual one-day event for the public at the Bern Rathaus. This year’s topic was the “Restitution of stolen assets”, and the discussion addressed both the process for recovering illicitly acquired assets and Swiss and international experience in this area. The guest speakers included political and legal experts, development professionals and representatives of the banking sector and civil society. They provided attendees with a step-by-step review of the process, from blocking assets to their restitution.
Defending human rights in their respective countries
09.12.2016
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Article
DEZA
Respect for human rights is one the SDC’s top priorities – and essential for the development of the most underprivileged sections of society. In half a dozen countries, the SDC is helping to strengthen national institutions that were created to protect citizens from violations of their fundamental rights. Three human rights defenders tell their stories.
National report and action plan on business and human rights
09.12.2016
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Press release
EDA
On 9 December 2016 the Federal Council adopted a report outlining a national action plan for the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Switzerland is one of the first countries to adopt such a strategy in order to promote coherence between business activities and human rights.
The Federal Council extends the freezing of assets of several individuals from Tunisia, Egypt and Ukraine
09.12.2016
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Press release
EDA
At its session on 9 December 2016 the Federal Council decided to extend by one year the freezing of all the assets in Switzerland of ousted presidents Ben Ali (Tunisia), Mubarak (Egypt) and Yanukovych (Ukraine) as well as of politically exposed members of their entourages and other persons closely associated with them. The aim of this decision is to give more time for the criminal investigations under way and to support judicial cooperation with the countries concerned. It also takes into account the political changes taking place in these countries.
Switzerland puts strengthening women's rights on UN Security Council agenda
05.12.2016
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Press release
EDA
At a meeting in New York today, the UN Security Council will discuss how cooperation between the Geneva-based Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the UN Security Council in New York can be improved in the area of women, peace and security. The initiative for this discussion came from Switzerland, which has made strengthening women's rights a priority and is also committed to forging closer cooperation between the international institutions based in Geneva and those in New York.
Further progress achieved on subject of commodities
02.12.2016
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Press release
EDA
On 2 December the Federal Council approved the third status report on the implementation of the recommendations made in the background report on commodities. The status report provides an overview of the state of implementation for each of the seventeen recommendations. It shows that further important progress has been made to further strengthen the conditions for the commodities sector and reduce risks.