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Didier Burkhalter in Tunisia to reaffirm ties of friendship and gauge the joint work still to be done

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter sitting on a sofa talking to Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui.

08.11.2016 — 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.


UN Climate Change Conference: SDC counting on young people

A crowd of people standing in Switzerland’s ‘Espace de Jeunesse’ at the COP22 climate conference in November 2016 in Marrakesh.

07.11.2016 — Article DEZA

The 22nd UN Climate Change Conference is taking place in Morocco from 7 to 18 November 2016. The SDC has set up the 'Espace Jeunesse' at the venue – a 300 square metre area which gives young people a platform for information, exchange and reflection.


Albanian municipal authorities get to grips with waste management

Two people compacting paper and cardboard waste in a recycling centre in an Albanian municipality.

04.11.2016 — Article DEZA

In order to protect the environment and its resources, the SDC is working with several municipalities in Albania to improve waste management. Besides the major role played by the municipal authorities, the project also requires a strong sense of responsibility from citizens, who are encouraged to change their own behaviour. The project benefits residents as well as companies which are tapping into a new and profitable market.


Federal Council explores feasibility of limited expansion of cooperation with Eritrea

02.11.2016 — Press release EDA
According to a report adopted by the Federal Council during its session on 2 November 2016, ten years after Switzerland discontinued international aid to Eritrea, Switzerland will explore, through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the possibility of relaunching development programmes in this country. What is envisaged at this early stage is not to reopen a cooperation office in Eritrea but the possibility of carrying out pilot projects with a limited budget (CHF 2 million per year) aimed at improving prospects for young people in the country itself through job creation and vocational education and training measures.


Perspectives on displacement at the National Museum Zurich

A woman in a Syrian refugee camp holding a child.

28.10.2016 — Article DEZA

DISPLACED opens on 29 October 2016 at the National Museum Zurich. The exhibition gives visitors a glimpse of what it means to have to give up one's home, family, work and country. The SDC is taking part in the exhibition.


Opening of the Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiation

25.10.2016 — Press release EDA
The Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiation, in Geneva, has been opened on 25 October 2016 under the patronage of Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter. The Centre is being launched jointly by the heads of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.


Peace, development and migration at heart of discussions between the Foreign Minister of Mali Abdoulaye Diop and Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mali, Abdoulaye Diop, and the head of Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Didier Burkhalter, during a working visit to Bern. © FDFA

25.10.2016 — Press release EDA
On Tuesday 25 October, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Didier Burkhalter, received the Foreign Minister of Mali, Abdoulaye Diop, in Bern for an official visit. “Relations between Switzerland and Mali are characterised by a long-standing friendship and also by convergent current interests in terms of security, development and migration,” said Mr Burkhalter. He added that Switzerland will pursue its engagement with Mali in development, humanitarian aid and peace promotion in a coordinated manner. He went on to underline the two countries’ mutual interest in ensuring that development projects are carried out taking migration and security interests into account.


Hurricane Matthew and Haiti: Switzerland intensifies activities to help survivors of the disaster)

17.10.2016 — Press release EDA
Swiss humanitarian operations in Haiti are focusing on the south-west of the country, hardest hit by the storm. More specialists left Bern today to reinforce our on-site teams. Switzerland's priorities include ensuring access to drinking water and fighting the spread of cholera, while also providing support for operations by the United Nations and the International Federation of the Red Cross.


Protecting development gains through effective prevention

A school reconstructed by the SDC

13.10.2016 — Article DEZA

Half of the world's population is exposed to the risk of natural disasters. For the SDC, this is a priority issue. In some countries, social and economic progress achieved through decades of development work can be undone by flooding, an earthquake or a tropical storm. In Haiti, Hurricane Matthew is a recent reminder of just how vulnerable people are.


Switzerland and Azerbaijan strengthen their relations with two new agreements

Didier Burkhalter and Elmar Mammadyarov, the Azerbaijani minister of foreign affairs.

10.10.2016 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov in Bern during an official visit. At this meeting the ministers signed two agreements to strengthen cooperation between Switzerland and Azerbaijan on readmissions and visas. They also addressed various bilateral issues, economic ones in particular, and discussed several regional and international matters.


Switzerland mobilises assistance for Hurricane Matthew survivors in Haiti

Makeshift homes damaged by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti.

07.10.2016 — Press release EDA
Haiti faces a new crisis in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. Thousands of residents of the island have lost everything they own and the death toll is increasing by the day. To meet the needs of survivors, Switzerland has sent experts to the affected areas and has earmarked CHF 2 million in aid.


UN Women joins International Geneva

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka with a group of young girls.

06.10.2016 — Article DEZA

The UN Women's liaison office, which was opened in Geneva on 6 October, aims to make gender equality and women's empowerment more visible globally. Switzerland has supported the organisation since its creation in 2010. Interview with Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women.

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