All news (849)
Switzerland is endeavouring to tackle the causes of displacement
29.11.2016
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Article
DEZA
Didier Burkhalter will be speaking at a panel discussion entitled ‘Displacement – the global challenge of the 21st century’, which is being held at the University of Zurich in connection with the ‘DISPLACED’ exhibition at the National Museum Zurich. In this interview he talks about Swiss foreign policy in the area of migration.
Which effectiveness models could make the greatest contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals?
29.11.2016
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Article
DEZA
Between 30 November and 2 December, more than 150 donor nations and development aid recipients will meet in Nairobi, Kenya, to work out the best way to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, and to discuss the principles that make development cooperation more effective and sustainable.
Federal councillor Didier Burkhalter speaks with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein about the challenges of protecting human rights
29.11.2016
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Press release
EDA
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, made an official working visit to Bern on 29 November 2016. He met with Didier Burkhalter, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), State Secretary Yves Rossier and members of the Foreign Affairs Offices and Committees of the National Council and Council of States. In-depth discussions about international human rights issues, including the situation in Syria, Yemen and Burundi, gave Switzerland the opportunity to reiterate its support for strengthening the Office of the High Commissioner, a crucial advocate for human rights around the world. The current low level of funding allocated to the Office of the High Commissioner, which accounts for 3,5% of the UN’s regular budget, limits its strategic impact in spearheading the UN’s human rights activities.
International Conference for Tunisia – Switzerland represented by Samuel Schmid
28.11.2016
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EDA
Switzerland is to take part in the international conference on economic support and investment promotion in Tunisia on 29 and 30 November 2016. It will be represented by former Federal Councillor Samuel Schmid.
Francophonie Summit: a Swiss stand dedicated to water, peace and security
25.11.2016
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Article
DEZA
The 16th Francophonie Summit is taking place in Madagascar on 26 and 27 November. To mark the occasion a Francophonie Village has been set up, where Switzerland is representing itself with a stand dedicated to water, peace and security. Visitors can discover what Switzerland is doing to promote water as an instrument of cooperation and peace in this interactive arena.
Business Diplomacy for Sustainable Development
23.11.2016
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Article
DEZA
The Earth Security Group, a strategic partner of the SDC, identifies new ways for the private sector to partner with governments and civil society to avoid resource crises and promote sustainable growth. It has developed the concept of ‘Business Diplomacy for Sustainable Development’.
President to attend Francophonie Summit in Antananarivo before travelling to Kuwait
22.11.2016
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EDA
The Francophonie Summit is the highest-level gathering of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) taking place on 26 and 27 November in the Madagascan capital, Antananarivo. The theme of the summit is ‘Shared growth and responsible development: conditions for stability in the world and in the French-speaking area’. President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann will be representing Switzerland at the summit, which takes place every two years. The president will then travel to Kuwait, where he has been invited to pay a state visit.
Research and innovation as drivers in achieving the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals
10.11.2016
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Press release
EDA
With the 2030 Agenda the international community has set 17 sustainable development goals, to be achieved by 2030, bringing together poverty eradication and sustainable development under one umbrella for the first time ever. Research and innovation play a key role, both in the design of measures and in achieving these goals. Stakeholders from science, development and politics gathered together to explore the best ways of achieving them at the second Research Fair on 9 November 2016 at the SDC's head office in Bern.
“An idea for the future, perhaps...” – youthful interest and insight on display during Future Day at the FDFA
10.11.2016
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EDA
Over 60 children and young people visited the FDFA today – Switzerland’s National Future Day – to learn about the department’s work and see the place where their parents, godparents or people they know work. The morning culminated in a meeting with Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, who showed them the Federal Council chamber and answered numerous questions (the sea of happy faces prompting him to describe the ‘Bundeshaus’ (Federal Palace) as a ‘buntes Haus’ (‘colourful palace’)). In the afternoon, the youngsters were able to explore the FDFA’s work in greater depth at a number of workshops.
Advancing sustainable development through research
09.11.2016
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Article
DEZA
Research and innovation are important factors in reducing poverty and global risks. In collaboration with the Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries, the SDC held a second research fair on 9 November in Bern. The 2016 Research Fair was an opportunity for exchange between science, policy, and practice on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Visit of the Kosovar Minister of Foreign Affairs: focus on stability
09.11.2016
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Didier Burkhalter, received today his Kosovar counterpart Enver Hoxhaj in Bern as part of an official visit. The two ministers addressed a number of questions related to the close bilateral relations between Switzerland and Kosovo, specifically from the perspective of the two countries' mutual interests in migration and development cooperation. The agenda also featured both the regional context – relations with neighbouring states and the normalisation of relations with Serbia – and international and multilateral issues.
Didier Burkhalter in Tunisia to reaffirm ties of friendship and gauge the joint work still to be done
08.11.2016
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Press release
EDA
Reaffirming and strengthening already close ties by launching the first political consultations between Switzerland and Tunisia, demonstrating Switzerland’s solidarity towards a country in transition and visiting Swiss cooperation projects: these were the main objectives of the visit to Tunis on Tuesday by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, who had meetings with President Beji Caid Essebi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Khemaies Jhinaoui.