All news (848)
Peace, development and migration at heart of discussions between the Foreign Minister of Mali Abdoulaye Diop and Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter
25.10.2016
—
Press release
EDA
On Tuesday 25 October, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Didier Burkhalter, received the Foreign Minister of Mali, Abdoulaye Diop, in Bern for an official visit. “Relations between Switzerland and Mali are characterised by a long-standing friendship and also by convergent current interests in terms of security, development and migration,” said Mr Burkhalter. He added that Switzerland will pursue its engagement with Mali in development, humanitarian aid and peace promotion in a coordinated manner. He went on to underline the two countries’ mutual interest in ensuring that development projects are carried out taking migration and security interests into account.
Hurricane Matthew and Haiti: Switzerland intensifies activities to help survivors of the disaster)
17.10.2016
—
Press release
EDA
Swiss humanitarian operations in Haiti are focusing on the south-west of the country, hardest hit by the storm. More specialists left Bern today to reinforce our on-site teams. Switzerland's priorities include ensuring access to drinking water and fighting the spread of cholera, while also providing support for operations by the United Nations and the International Federation of the Red Cross.
Preservación de los logros del desarrollo con la ayuda de una buena prevención
13.10.2016
—
Artículo
DEZA
La mitad de la población mundial está expuesta a los riesgos de las catástrofes naturales. Para la COSUDE esta es una cuestión prioritaria. En algunos países, una inundación, un seísmo o un ciclón pueden reducir a cero los progresos sociales y económicos adquiridos a lo largo de varias décadas de desarrollo. Muy recientemente, en Haití, el huracán Matthew nos ha hecho recordar cuán vulnerables son las poblaciones.
Switzerland and Azerbaijan strengthen their relations with two new agreements
10.10.2016
—
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov in Bern during an official visit. At this meeting the ministers signed two agreements to strengthen cooperation between Switzerland and Azerbaijan on readmissions and visas. They also addressed various bilateral issues, economic ones in particular, and discussed several regional and international matters.
Switzerland mobilises assistance for Hurricane Matthew survivors in Haiti
07.10.2016
—
Press release
EDA
Haiti faces a new crisis in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. Thousands of residents of the island have lost everything they own and the death toll is increasing by the day. To meet the needs of survivors, Switzerland has sent experts to the affected areas and has earmarked CHF 2 million in aid.
ONU Mujeres se incorpora a la Ginebra internacional
06.10.2016
—
Artículo
DEZA
Inaugurada en Ginebra el 6 de octubre, la oficina de enlace ONU Mujeres quiere dar mayor visibilidad a la cuestión de la igualdad de género y al empoderamiento de la mujer en el ámbito internacional. Suiza apoya a la organización desde su creación en 2010. Entrevista a Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Directora general de ONU Mujeres.
Switzerland welcomes the opening of a UN Women liaison office in Geneva
06.10.2016
—
Press release
EDA
Switzerland considers the opening of a UN Women liaison office in Geneva to be a very positive development. With this new office, UN Women plans to exert greater influence on intergovernmental decision-making processes and enhance its strategic cooperation with key actors in International Geneva.
Conference on Afghanistan: Switzerland renewed its commitment
05.10.2016
—
Press release
EDA
At the occasion of the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan, which took place on 4 and 5 October 2016, Switzerland renewed its commitment to a long-term partnership with Afghanistan. As announced by the head of the Swiss delegation, ambassador Thomas Greminger, in his speech, Switzerland will stay engaged in Afghanistan and pursue a commitment of approximately CHF 26 Mio per year until 2020. The Swiss programme focuses on two interconnected domains: inclusive governance and human rights, and sustainable socio-economic development.
Pascale Baeriswyl appointed FDFA state secretary
30.09.2016
—
Press release
EDA
The Federal Council appointed Ms Pascale Baeriswyl state secretary and head of the Directorate of Political Affairs of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday. Ms Baeriswyl (48, places of origin Basel and Fribourg) is currently the assistant director of the FDFA's Directorate of International Law (DIL). She will take up her post on 1 December of this year and will succeed Mr Yves Rossier who, after more than four years in this function, has today been appointed ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Russian Federation. The Federal Council has also appointed Ms Krystyna Marty Lang, until recently head of mission in Pristina, as deputy state secretary and deputy head of the Directorate of Political Affairs, with the title of ambassador.
La educación como vector de cambio
26.09.2016
—
Artículo
DEZA
El Informe de Seguimiento de la Educación en el Mundo 2016 publicado por la UNESCO llama la atención sobre la importancia del acceso universal a una educación de calidad para lograr un desarrollo sostenible. Recomienda utilizar mejor los planes de estudio para informar sobre los retos contemporáneos. Señala también como prioridad posibilitar un aprendizaje en todas las etapas de la vida. Convencida de la pertinencia de estos puntos de vista, la COSUDE trabaja a favor de los mismos.
Signing of peace agreement in Colombia – Switzerland represented by the State Secretary of the FDFA
22.09.2016
—
Press release
EDA
Yves Rossier, the State Secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will represent Switzerland at the signing of the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC on Monday 26 September 2016. This historic deal should bring an end to a conflict lasting several decades and claiming many victims. It also seeks to bring about lasting peace in this Latin American country.
Switzerland draws attention of international community to importance of water in promoting peace and security
22.09.2016
—
Press release
EDA
"Water should be an instrument of peace and cooperation" Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter told the United Nations on Thursday in New York, where he was presenting Switzerland's 'blue diplomacy', which aims to focus the international community's attention on issues relating to water, peace and security.