All news (849)
Financing for sustainable development
13.07.2015
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Press release
EDA
The new sustainable development goals require a comprehensive financial basis. The Third International Conference on Financing for Development, which begins today in Addis Ababa and runs until 16 July, will develop a framework to this end. Switzerland is actively involved in the negotiations.
Showdown on development financing in Addis Ababa
10.07.2015
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Article
EDA
Article by Ambassador Michael Gerber, «Mehr und «besseres» Geld» (NZZ, 10 July 2015 © NZZ AG)
Switzerland continues its commitment to the United Nations Development Programme
01.07.2015
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Press release
EDA
The Federal Council has confirmed Switzerland’s commitment to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the country’s current annual contribution of CHF 60 million set to continue from 2015 to 2017.
Sustainable management of Mongolia’s pasturelands – an SDC project sets an example of best practices at Expo Milano 2015
30.06.2015
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Article
DEZA
Green Gold, an SDC project aiming to ensure the sustainable management of grazing land in Mongolia has been selected as an example of best practices in food security by Expo Milano 2015. It will be on exhibit at Pavilion Zero, marking the main entrance to the expo, for the duration of the event. An award ceremony will be held at the Palazzo Italia on 6 July.
Contribution to the enlarged EU: signing of bilateral framework agreement with Croatia
30.06.2015
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Press release
EDA
On 30 June 2015 in Zagreb, Switzerland and Croatia signed the bilateral framework agreement which regulates the substance and implementation of the Swiss enlargement contribution to Croatia. Switzerland has allocated CHF 45 million to support projects in Croatia, in particular in the fields of water treatment, supply of drinking water, research and vocational education and training.
Smallholder farmers, vocational education, innovation: all part of Switzerland's broad-based international cooperation activities in 2014
25.06.2015
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Press release
EDA
Despite an increasingly complex development policy context over the past year, Switzerland has succeeded in making a number of important contributions to key aspects of international cooperation. These include the promotion of democracy, sustainable economic growth and vocational education and training, support for smallholder farmers, aid for refugees and migrants, as well as conflict prevention and emergency assistance. So says the annual report of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), which was published today.
Official working visit to Switzerland by the Slovak foreign minister
25.06.2015
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Press release
EDA
On Thursday, 25 June 2015, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter received Slovakia ’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miroslav Lajčák, for an official visit to Switzerland. In addition to bilateral relations, the main agenda item was Switzerland’s policy on the European Union (EU). Slovakia will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2016. Talks also covered various regional and multilateral issues as well as current international affairs. Afterwards, Mr Lajčák paid the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, a courtesy visit.
More Swiss aid convoys reach people in need in Ukraine on both sides of the contact line
24.06.2015
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Press release
EDA
In the last few days, Switzerland has again succeeded in delivering medical supplies and water treatment chemicals to a number of hospitals and waterworks in Ukraine and eastern Ukraine. A convoy carrying 300 tonnes of chemical water treatment products, medical equipment and medicines reached the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine today to supply approximately 3.5 million people in need in the Donetsk region with clean drinking water and deliver urgently needed medical equipment to four hospitals. The convoy was accompanied by a water expert, a doctor, a logistics specialist and a security expert from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit.
The Federal Council notes the results of the consultation on continuation of the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe
24.06.2015
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Press release
EDA
The Federal Council has taken note of the results of the consultation on continuation of the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe, which remains in force until the end of May 2017. Its renewal would enable the continuation of cooperation with those states of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union that are not members of the European Union. The corresponding dispatch to Parliament is expected to be submitted by the end of February 2016 at the latest.
Global Compact: 15 years of commitment to UN principles in business life
23.06.2015
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Article
DEZA
On 25 June 2015, the UN Global Compact initiative celebrates its first 15 years of promoting greater corporate responsibility in the areas of human rights, the environment and labour standards, and fostering cooperation between the UN and the private sector. Switzerland is one the initiative's key partner countries.
"In the midst of conflict, a minimum of humanity must be upheld."
20.06.2015
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Article
DEZA
The ICRC is one of the main international organisations currently active in Syria, responding to humanitarian needs identified on the ground. It is one of the SDC's key partners. Syria currently has the highest number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the world, not to mention the millions of refugees who have crossed the border. Interview with Robert Mardini, the ICRC's regional director for the Middle East.
New cooperation strategy for Ukraine 2015-2018
15.06.2015
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Press release
EDA
As part of its new 2015-2018 cooperation strategy for Ukraine, Switzerland is stepping up its commitment over the coming four years in the fields of governance, peacebuilding, health, sustainable energy management and financial and economic sustainability. It is thus responding to the impact of the Ukrainian conflict and the government’s reform efforts.