All news (850)
Didier Burkhalter at UN General Assembly: the international community should double its efforts to end the war in Syria and reduce suffering
28.09.2015
—
Press release
EDA
Stop the war in Syria, respond to immediate humanitarian needs created by the crisis in the region, introduce long-term prevention measures and make a case for a reform of the UN in order to serve the international community – these are the priorities which Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will be speaking out in favour of at the annual general debate of the UN General Assembly, which opened on Monday in New York. The 70th session of the Assembly is being held at a time marked by numerous crises throughout the world, in the most troubled period the world has known since the Second World War.
Sciex programme: Research training placements in Switzerland spur scientific and economic development in eastern Europe
25.09.2015
—
Press release
EDA
A ceremony to mark the end of the Scientific Exchange Programme between the New Member States and Switzerland (Sciex), which has offered over 500 researchers from ten new EU member states research training placements in Switzerland since it was launched in 2009, was held today at ETH Zurich. Part of Switzerland’s contribution to the enlarged EU was allocated to fund the fellowship programme in recognition of the fact that enhancing the capacity of scientists in central and eastern Europe to conduct research is a critical factor in the region's economic development.
Sustainable Development Goals until 2030: President Sommaruga supports new UN agenda on behalf of Switzerland
25.09.2015
—
Press release
EDA
Over 150 heads of state and government adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at a summit in New York on Friday. The agenda, comprising 17 goals and 169 targets, sets out the priority areas for sustainable development worldwide for the period to 2030. Switzerland was represented at the summit by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, who described the 2030 Agenda as "an extremely promising approach to resolving numerous problems".
Migration, Europe and commitment in fragile states: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter in political talks in Stockholm
15.09.2015
—
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter was in Stockholm today meeting with Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström and Minister for International Development Cooperation Isabella Lövin. The bilateral talks centred on the refugee problem, Switzerland's policy regarding the European Union (EU), aspects of development cooperation and various bilateral issues.
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter stresses importance of consistency and accountability in promoting democracy
15.09.2015
—
Press release
EDA
The Council of Member States of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is chaired by Switzerland this year. At the Council's conference in Stockholm, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, called for persistence in efforts to promote democracy. Mr Burkhalter also used the conference as an opportunity to meet International IDEA's Secretary-General Yves Leterme and Mongolian Foreign Minister Lundeg Purevsuren, who is to take over as Chair of the Council in 2016. International IDEA celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2015.
Access to water as an instrument to promote peace: Switzerland adopts lines of action
14.09.2015
—
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter has called on the countries of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to “engage to transform water from a source of crisis into an instrument for peace”. Speaking in Prague before the OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) said that global demand for water would grow by 55% by 2030 and that access to water was a serious problem in many countries and regions.
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: Federal Council adopts Disptach
11.09.2015
—
Press release
EDA
On 11 September the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on Switzerland’s membership of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). It acknowledged the results of the consultation proceedings before doing so. A majority approves of the proposal.
Summit to adopt the 2030 agenda and UN General Assembly: Switzerland commits to sustainable development
11.09.2015
—
Press release
EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, will represent Switzerland at the UN summit meeting from 25 to 27 September 2015 in New York to adopt the sustainable development goals for the period to 2030. On 28 September, at the opening of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly, she will present Switzerland's priorities in the context of the UN for the coming year. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will represent Switzerland during this ministerial week in New York at various events on current themes and will hold bilateral talks.
No women, no peace – 15 years of UN resolution 1325
09.09.2015
—
Article
DEZA
Adopted 15 years ago, UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security is based on the belief that the participation of women in peace processes is conducive to achieving pragmatic solutions and offers a more sustainable route to peace and individual security. Switzerland was one of the first countries to work towards implementing the resolution and wishes to reaffirm its pioneering role in this regard. An international review conference held in Geneva on 9 September 2015 provided an opportunity to take stock.
FDFA contributes CHF 4 million to the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF)
09.09.2015
—
Press release
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is contributing CHF 4 million to the newly founded Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF). Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the FDFA, and GCERF Executive Director Khalid Koser signed an agreement to this effect for the 2015-2019 four-year period on 9 September 2015 in Geneva.
Fifteen years of the UN resolution on women, peace and security – Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter calls for further efforts
09.09.2015
—
Press release
EDA
Today Wednesday 9 September in Geneva, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), opened the conference marking the 15th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. In his speech, Mr Burkhalter called on the international community to redouble its efforts in the fight against sexual violence in conflict and to include women more systematically in peace and transition processes.
West Africa and Afghanistan on the front lines of the fight for literacy
07.09.2015
—
Article
DEZA
In August 2015 UNESCO published its latest statistics on illiteracy around the world. They show that today there are more than 757 million adults and 115 million young people who cannot read or write a simple sentence. The SDC is committed to strengthening educational systems where the need is greatest.