All news (848)
Switzerland to attend IMF and World Bank 2018 Spring Meetings in Washington
19.04.2018
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer as Head of the Swiss delegation, Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann and Thomas Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will attend the joint Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington from 20 to 22 April 2018.
Humanitarian crisis in DRC: Switzerland commits CHF 12.5 million to assist the population
13.04.2018
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Press release
EDA
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is gripped by one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The country now also faces a cholera epidemic, while millions of its people are dependent on humanitarian assistance. Representatives of several states and humanitarian organisations met today in Geneva to support the international response to this crisis. This was the first high-level humanitarian conference devoted to the DRC. Switzerland will provide CHF 12.5 million this year to support emergency operations in the country.
Decrease in Switzerland's official development assistance in 2017
10.04.2018
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Press release
EDA
With an official development assistance (ODA) rate of 0.46% of its gross national income (GNI), Switzerland ranked in 2017 in the top third of donor countries according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Switzerland remained 8th out of the 29 member states of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), which published its ranking yesterday. In 2017, the amount of ODA spent on receiving asylum seekers from developing countries during their first year in Switzerland was significantly less than in 2016. The ratio of ODA to GNI in non-asylum related areas also decreased in 2017 as a result of cost-cutting measures passed by Parliament.
World Health Day dedicated to “Health for all”
06.04.2018
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Press release
EDA
World Health Day 2018, which will take place on 7 April, will be dedicated to the theme of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Almost half of the world’s population has no access to essential health services and each year almost hundred million people face extreme poverty because of the money they have to spend on health services.
Migration: Ignazio Cassis signs readmission agreement with Mongolia
05.04.2018
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland and Mongolia signed two agreements on Thursday following a meeting between Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Mongolian Foreign Minister Damdin Tsogtbaatar in Ulaanbaatar. Both ministers confirmed the excellent relations between the two countries at the meeting. By signing the readmission agreement, Mongolia has pledged to take back any of its citizens living in Switzerland without a permit. The second agreement will exempt Swiss and Mongolian diplomats from the visa requirement in both countries.
Trust in data in the era of fake news - The important role of official statistics in a world of fact, fiction and everything in between
04.04.2018
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Press release
EDA
(FSO) – Facts provide the foundation for political and social dialogue. But what happens when instead of facts, purposely spread untruths begin to dominate that dialogue? And what can be done about it, or better still, what can be done to stop it? Possible answers can be found at the conference entitled “Truth in numbers – the role of data in a world of fact, fiction and everything in between” that highlights the importance of official statistics for democracy. The conference is organised by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the international Partnership in Statistics for Development PARIS21.
Switzerland's engagement in mine action
03.04.2018
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Press release
EDA
In 2017 the Swiss Confederation invested CHF 22.3 million in mine action activities for the clearance of contaminated areas, awareness of mine risks, local capacity building and monitoring the implementation of international laws and treaties.
Humanitarian crisis in Yemen: donors gathered in Geneva pledge USD 2.01 billion to alleviate suffering
03.04.2018
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Press release
EDA
Yemen is currently experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis worldwide. Millions of people are deprived of water, food and medical care because of the armed conflict. Famine has struck several regions of the country. Donors gathered in Geneva have pledged USD 2.01 billion for the humanitarian response. Switzerland, which co-hosted the conference, announced on 3 April a contribution of 13 million francs for 2018.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis scheduled to visit China and Mongolia
29.03.2018
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Press release
EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, will travel to China and Mongolia next week for his first official visit outside Europe. Political, economic and bilateral relations between Switzerland and China will be the focus of his talks in Beijing on 2 and 3 April before he travels to Xi'an, a city in central China at the eastern end of the Silk Road. Mr Cassis will visit a project led by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which aims to reduce harmful emissions in China and in neighbouring countries.
Consultation on a second Swiss contribution to EU-13 countries
28.03.2018
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Press release
EDA
At its meeting on 28 March 2018, the Federal Council decided to initiate the consultation procedure on a second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states. With this contribution, Switzerland aims to continue to contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities in the EU member states. Last year, the Federal Council set two priorities for this contribution: vocational education and training and migration.
Switzerland supports the humanitarian efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross
21.03.2018
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland supports the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in its work to alleviate need and suffering. The Federal Council pledged at its meeting on 21 March 2018 an annual contribution of CHF 80 million for the ICRC's headquarters in Geneva. Switzerland is thereby supporting one of the few organisations that has access to people in need during conflicts and crises. The ICRC coordinates its more than 80 delegations worldwide from its headquarters in Geneva.
Switzerland at the 2018 World Water Forum in Brasilia
20.03.2018
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Press release
EDA
Water as a source of cooperation instead of conflict, access to clean drinking water, and involving the private sector in efforts for sustainable water resources management: these are Switzerland's priorities for the 2018 World Water Forum, which began on 18 March in the Brazilian capital. The World Water Forum is the largest gathering of its kind, bringing together representatives from politics, civil society, research and the private sector from around 120 countries. The theme of this year’s forum is sharing water. The Swiss delegation is being headed by Pio Wennubst, director of the Global Cooperation Department at the FDFA's Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Mr Wennubst has been accorded the title of state secretary for the duration of the conference in Brasilia.