All news (850)
Swiss Humanitarian Aid: Swiss experts deployed to the Bahamas
13.09.2019
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EDA
Switzerland is extending its humanitarian aid to the Bahamas. Around 70,000 people in the Caribbean island nation are now dependent on aid in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, which caused extensive damage and many deaths at the start of September. Five experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) were deployed to the affected area on 13 September. Relief supplies in the form of a drinking water system arrived in the Bahamas the day before.
'Eine Welt'/'Un seul monde' – dossier on urbanisation
27.08.2019
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Article
DEZA
The world's cities are already home to four billion people, with more arriving steadily each year. Urbanisation has quite particular effects on development cooperation in terms of governance, access to employment, social inclusion, urban planning and the environment. Our report from southern Mali puts this issue in the spotlight.
Switzerland steps up the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria
21.08.2019
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Press release
EDA
Every year, 2.5 million people die of AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. At its meeting of 21 August 2019, the Federal Council approved a contribution of CHF 64 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) for the 2020–22 period and a further CHF 30 million for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) for the 2019–21 period. With this funding and its expertise, Switzerland aims to reduce global health risks while strengthening Geneva's position as a centre of excellence in the field of global health.
Federal Council joins political declaration to prevent sexual assault in UN field operations
21.08.2019
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Press release
EDA
On 21 August 2019, the Federal Council decided that Switzerland would support a political declaration of intent (compact) on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse in UN field operations. The compact between the Federal Council and the UN Secretary-General sets out measures, which, although legally non-binding on either party, are consistent with the zero tolerance policy the Federal Council has set out in Switzerland’s priorities for the UN.
World Humanitarian Day «More than a choice, it is a vocation»
16.08.2019
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Article
DEZA
Every year, the 19th of August marks the World Humanitarian Day. This day honours the work of women and men who help people in need. Giuseppe Rullanti is one of them. For the last two decades, this member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit has worked for the SDC and other organisations from one assignment to the other. His testimonial.
Ignazio Cassis visits Swiss projects in cyclone-stricken Mozambique
07.08.2019
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Press release
EDA
On the second day of his trip to Mozambique, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visited Swiss humanitarian aid projects in the country. In Beira in central Mozambique he saw first-hand the scale of the devastation caused by Cyclone Idai in March 2019 and the measures taken in its wake.
Ignazio Cassis attends the ceremony marking the signing of Swiss-brokered peace treaty in Mozambique
06.08.2019
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Press release
EDA
Together with other high-ranking members of the international community, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, took part earlier today in a ceremony marking the signing of the peace accord between RENAMO and FRELIMO, the opposing sides in Mozambique's civil war. This peace accord was in large measure concluded thanks to Swiss support.
State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl represents Switzerland at ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and attends opening of a new heart clinic affiliated with Kantha Bopha Children's Hospitals in Cambodia
02.08.2019
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Press release
EDA
On 1 and 2 August , FDFA State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl made a visit at Thailand's invitation to Bangkok, where she represented Switzerland at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, attended the signing of a Swiss cooperation agreement with the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management, and met with high-ranking government representatives from Asia, Europe and North America. Before travelling to Thailand, Ms Baeriswyl visited Cambodia, where she attended the opening of the new Kantha Bopha Hospital heart clinic in Phnom Penh.
"The international community must scale up the impact of its engagement"
09.07.2019
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Article
DEZA
In mid-July 2019, SDC Assistant Director General Thomas Gass will assume the co-chairmanship of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC) for a two-year term. In this interview he explains how he intends to lead this broad-based platform to ensure that the ambitious goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are achieved as quickly as possible.
Ambassador Mirko Manzoni is appointed the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Mozambique
09.07.2019
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EDA
On 8 July 2019, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Mirko Manzoni, the Swiss ambassador in Maputo, as his Personal Envoy for Mozambique. The FDFA welcomes this decision which recognises Switzerland’s longstanding commitment to the UN and underlines its active role in the ongoing peace process in Mozambique.
The SDC's new approach to cooperating with Swiss NGOs delivers greater impact
02.07.2019
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Press release
EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) aims to deploy its funds more effectively and efficiently in future to help the poorest and most vulnerable communities. It has therefore altered its approach to cooperating with Swiss non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in response to changed circumstances. In order to ensure a fair and comprehensible distribution of federal government contributions, it has established a transparent system of allocation and set new upper limits. The SDC is also seeking to boost innovation and intensify competition among NGOs.
AVIS28: a report to outline Switzerland's future foreign policy
02.07.2019
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Press release
EDA
The AVIS28 Working Group set up by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in October 2018 submitted its report in Bern today. Entitled 'Switzerland in the world in 2028', the document analyses the challenges ahead and proposes a range of options for adapting Swiss foreign policy instruments to future realities. To consolidate Switzerland's position in an increasingly unstable world, the working group recommends developing a whole-of-Switzerland approach involving all national stakeholders, as well as a more targeted, better interconnected and more reactive foreign policy.