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Tangible results at the Paris Climate Conference

Palm trees at the beach bend in a storm

18.12.2015 — Article DEZA

The SDC will be able to draw on its solid bilateral and multilateral work on climate-related issues when the Paris Agreement is put into action. Anton Hilber, Head of the Global Programme Climate Change at the SDC speaks about the results of COP21 and Switzerland's role in the implementation of the agreement.


The OSCE awards Heidi Tagliavini

The Secretary General of OSCE Lamberto Zannier presents the award to Heidi Tagliavini.

18.12.2015 — Press release EDA
Heidi Tagliavini, was awarded the medal of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) at the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on 17 December 2015. Heidi Tagliavini was honoured with the award for her tireless efforts to contribute to the resolution of the conflict in the east of Ukraine.



Albanian delegation studies the Swiss dual VET system

14.12.2015 — Article DEZA

The SDC is helping Albania modernise its vocational education and training (VET) system.  Its goal is to align teaching with the needs of the business sector, thereby reducing youth unemployment. A high-ranking Albanian delegation is visiting Switzerland to learn about our system of dual vocational education and training.


Human rights compliance – a key condition for sustainable development, peace, security and prosperity

10.12.2015 — Press release EDA
For Switzerland, the promotion and protection of the human rights of all individuals worldwide is a goal to work towards, a duty and a foreign policy priority. Although significant progress has been made in strengthening human rights since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948, it is more than ever necessary to persevere in our efforts. Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December to raise awareness of the situation of those affected by human rights violations.


Development projects and political talks: FDFA State Secretary Yves Rossier on working visit to Niger

10.12.2015 — Press release DEZA
The state secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Yves Rossier, is currently on a three-day official visit to Niger from 9 to 11 December 2015. He has met Mahamadou Issoufou, Niger's president, and the country's foreign minister, Kané Aichatou Boulama. Mr Rossier has also held meetings with other government representatives and members of civil society. During his visit, the state secretary signed a pledge committing CHF 38 million for the implementation of a number of Swiss development aid programmes.


Opening of the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent in Geneva – Simonetta Sommaruga calls for greater compliance with international humanitarian law

08.12.2015 — Press release EDA
At the opening of the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the President of the Swiss Confederation Simonetta Sommaruga called for greater compliance with international humanitarian law. This conference in Geneva will be attended by about 4,500 persons from 8 to 10 December.


Switzerland assists thousands on the move

Two sisters are sitting next to each other. © SDC

07.12.2015 — Article DEZA

When Hungary closed its border with Croatia on 17 October, hundreds of thousands of migrants moved further west and redirected their route through the West Balkans. As Slovenia, a country of a mere two million people, had to bear the brunt of this new development, it turned to Switzerland for help. Since mid-November a team of five experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit has supported the Slovenian authorities as well as NGOs to tackle this giant task.


International Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference in Geneva: for better compliance with international humanitarian law

04.12.2015 — Press release EDA
Migration and preventing and responding to violence are two of the main themes of the 32nd International Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference. Today, the Federal Council decided on Switzerland's participation in the conference and its mandate. Switzerland will work actively to ensure better compliance with international humanitarian law. The President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, will head the Swiss delegation to the conference, which will take place from 8 to 10 December in Geneva.


"The Paris agreement aims to reverse the trend in CO2 emissions"

Fassade des Gebäudes, in dem die Klimakonferenz 2015 stattfindet. © Keystone

26.11.2015 — Article DEZA

The COP21 climate conference is taking place in Paris from 30 November to 11 December 2015 and will be attended by a Swiss delegation. Pio Wennubst, Assistant Director General of the SDC, describes Switzerland's contribution to the conference and its activities in the field of climate change, and explains why climate change is a particular challenge for developing countries.


Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter stresses the importance of accountability as a key aspect of democracy

26.11.2015 — Press release EDA
In his speech at today's two-day Annual Democracy Forum of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in Bern, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter underlined the view that democracy can only function if state authorities are held accountable. This year Switzerland is chairing the organisation, which comprises 28 member states and has been promoting democracy worldwide for 20 years.


Official working visit of Mongolian Foreign Minister Lundeg Purevsuren to Bern

26.11.2015 — Press release EDA
On Thursday 26 November 2015, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, received Mongolian Foreign Minister Lundeg Purevsuren during Mr Purevsuren's official working visit to Bern. The talks focused on various topical issues relating to bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

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