All news (837)
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis opens Afghanistan Conference in Geneva
24.11.2020
—
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis welcomed the international community to the Afghanistan Conference in Geneva on 24 November. Most of the major donor countries took part virtually in the pledging conference, which sets the development priorities and financial support for Afghanistan every four years. Switzerland has pledged CHF 104 million for the upcoming period. The donors' conference comes at a critical juncture with the Afghan government and Taliban having started peace talks in September. In his capacity as head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Mr Cassis also held bilateral talks with his Afghan and Finnish counterparts on the margins of the conference.
Hurricane Iota in Central America: another demonstration of solidarity by Switzerland
23.11.2020
—
Press release
EDA
Central America, already ravaged by Hurricane Eta, has again been hit by an extreme weather event. The latest, Hurricane Iota, has already wreaked havoc in several countries across the region. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is responding to the emergency by sending specialists and released CHF 2 million to help the survivors.
Switzerland funds reconstruction of houses in Albania: Federal Councillor Cassis gets an update on the status of the projects
23.11.2020
—
Press release
EDA
During his official visit to Tirana on 23 November 2020, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Gent Cakaj and President Ilir Meta. The talks focused on Switzerland's commitment in Albania, Albania's chairmanship of the OSCE and the candidacy of both countries for the UN Security Council. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) also visited an SDC project to restore destroyed houses.
Poverty reduction and sustainable development: Switzerland renews its support to the UNDP
18.11.2020
—
Press release
EDA
Despite progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, some 600 million people worldwide live in extreme poverty. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this number is rising sharply for the first time in decades. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) plays a key role in poverty reduction. The Federal Council has therefore decided on 18 November to allocate a contribution of 52.7 million francs to the UNDP.
Switzerland to continue support for UNRWA in 2021–2022
18.11.2020
—
Press release
EDA
At its meeting of 18 November 2020, the Federal Council decided to continue to provide the same level of support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) for the next two years. Switzerland intends to continue to support and closely monitor the management reforms initiated by UNRWA. Switzerland's 40 million francs contribution will help to alleviate the precarious humanitarian situation, create prospects, reduce the risk of young people becoming radicalised, and strengthen stability in the region.
Central America: Switzerland aids Hurricane Eta survivors
12.11.2020
—
Press release
EDA
Central American countries have been hit hard by Hurricane Eta. High winds and torrential rains have caused severe damage. Switzerland is providing CHF 700,000 to help those affected in Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala.
2030 Agenda - World Data Forum: strong international cooperation for quality data
22.10.2020
—
Press release
EDA
The United Nations World Data Forum took place from 19 to 21 October 2020 in digital format due to COVID-19. The event brought together several thousand experts to find innovative solutions in order to meet the need for better quality data to implement the 2030 Agenda and to control the pandemic.
Clean drinking water and COVID-19: Swiss aid convoy reaches conflict zone in eastern Ukraine
15.10.2020
—
Press release
EDA
The COVID-19 pandemic is also having an impact on the aid Switzerland provides to those suffering in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine. For the first time, a large part of the aid convoy is made up of medical supplies to help overcome the COVID crisis. On 15 October 2020, the twelfth convoy organised by Swiss Humanitarian Aid, comprising 19 trucks, reached the Donetsk region.
Switzerland provides CHF 1 million to help flood-stricken Sudan
09.10.2020
—
Press release
EDA
The state secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Krystyna Marty, received the foreign minister of Sudan, Omer Gamareldin Ismail, in Bern on Friday. Various topics were discussed at the meeting, which was also attended by the director general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Patricia Danzi, and other federal administration officials. Swiss Humanitarian Aid announced at the meeting that it was allocating CHF 1 million to assist Sudan, which has recently been hit by devastating floods.
Switzerland completes emergency aid operation on Lesbos
30.09.2020
—
Press release
EDA
Switzerland responded immediately with emergency aid following a fire which devastated the refugee transit camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. Over several weeks, Swiss Humanitarian Aid focused on access to safe drinking water, medical support in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and disaster risk reduction. It also dispatched five tonnes of relief supplies to the facility. Switzerland is ending its emergency aid activities on Wednesday 30 September, having restored access to clean drinking water for 10,000 people. It will continue its support in the form of medium and long-term assistance.
Federal Council sets four Swiss priorities for UN General Assembly's 75th session
11.09.2020
—
Press release
EDA
In summer, the Federal Council set the priorities for the UN General Assembly. At its meeting of 11 September 2020, it was informed about the Foreign Affairs Committees’ consultation. The priorities include one concerning global efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the opening of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly at the end of September will take place via video conference, with President of the Swiss Confederation Simonetta Sommaruga and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, representing Switzerland.
UNIDO Director General visits Bern
09.09.2020
—
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillors Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis welcomed the director general of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIDO, LI Yong, to Bern on Wednesday, 9 September 2020. The agenda for the official working visit includes the impact of the coronavirus crisis and the measures taken, as well as the ongoing reform of the United Nations.