All news (849)
Swiss cooperation in Tunisia: assisting in the country’s transition to democracy, economic development and management of migration
24.11.2015
—
Article
DEZA
The SDC is taking part in the North Africa programme 2011-2016 which Switzerland is implementing in Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Libya since the revolutions in 2011. One of the SDC’s main aims is to improve future prospects for young Tunisians in their country.
“Eine Welt / Un seul monde” – dossier on the private sector
23.11.2015
—
Article
DEZA
Water as an instrument of peace: Switzerland launches a global panel
16.11.2015
—
Press release
EDA
On 16 November 2015 Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter opened the ministerial ceremony in Geneva to launch a global panel on water and peace. This independent panel is composed of senior figures from 14 countries from the fields of politics, academia, the private sector and civil society. It will formulate proposals on the instruments and architecture to be put in place to prevent and reduce water-related conflicts at global and regional levels.
Switzerland helps Slovenia and Croatia to cope with refugee crisis
16.11.2015
—
Press release
EDA
Five SHA experts have been deployed to Slovenia and Croatia to help local organisations to cope with the refugee crisis. They are there to share their expertise, helping to adapt the existing infrastructure to the winter conditions and buying material locally. A lorry of relief supplies from Switzerland has already been unloaded in Slovenia. Switzerland mainly carries out activities to help the refugees and internally displaced people from the conflict in Syria and Iraq in the conflict region itself.
Switzerland increases its multilateral commitment to fragile states in Africa
13.11.2015
—
Press release
EDA
Switzerland is to increase its contribution to the African Development Fund (ADF), an integral part of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, by CHF 21 million. The funds are intended to strengthen the ADF’s ability to address the issues of state fragility and conflicts and to promote gender equality.
Climate change and security: Federal Councillor Burkhalter calls for joint preventive measures at the Asia-Europe Meeting
05.11.2015
—
Press release
EDA
At the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Luxembourg, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter stressed that early action and jointly developed preventive measures were necessary to contain the impact of climate change and the risk of security crises. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) took the opportunity of the biennial Foreign Ministers' Meeting of ASEM to conduct a number of bilateral meetings.
Education in fragile states a key priority
04.11.2015
—
Article
DEZA
A round table discussion on the challenge presented by education in fragile states, organised by the SDC, opens in Bern on 6 November. This is a priority topic of the new Education 2030 Framework for Action approved two days earlier at UNESCO headquarters. Julia Gillard, Board Chair of the Global Partnership for Education is participating in the event.
«We've helped present to visitors a responsible Switzerland that shows solidarity»
30.10.2015
—
Article
DEZA
184 days of the Expo. 140 participating countries. More than 20 million visitors, including more than two million to the Swiss pavilion. Expo Milano 2015 will end on Saturday 31 October after six months exploring the theme «Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life». SDC Director General Manuel Sager takes a first look back over this event whose predominant message was the vital importance of sustainable food.
Attacks on medical facilities in conflict zones: FDFA calls for strict compliance with international humanitarian law
29.10.2015
—
Press release
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA is deeply shocked by the increase in attacks on hospitals and calls on conflicting parties to ensure precautionary measures are taken to protect civilians.
President Sommaruga meets with President and Prime Minister in Ethiopia
26.10.2015
—
Press release
EDA
President Simonetta Sommaruga held official talks on Monday with Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome and Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in Addis Ababa. Talks were centred on intensification of economic relations as well as on humanitarian and migration policy challenges in Ethiopia and neighbouring countries. Sommaruga stated that Switzerland would be increasing its local aid and efforts in the region.
Ukraine: Switzerland sends another aid convoy to conflict region
26.10.2015
—
Press release
EDA
Two further Swiss Humanitarian Aid (HA) convoys have brought goods to supply suffering population on both sides of the contact line in eastern Ukraine. The aid consists mainly of chemicals and apparatus for the production of chlorine, essential for providing clean drinking water. In addition, two hospitals in Donetsk have been supplied with medicines. A total of 505 tonnes of aid worth around CHF 1 million has been delivered.
President Sommaruga to pay official working visit to Ethiopia
23.10.2015
—
Press release
EDA
Ethiopia and Switzerland want to further intensify and strengthen their good bilateral relations. It is with this aim that a Swiss delegation led by President Simonetta Sommaruga will be traveling to Addis Ababa this weekend.