Press releases

Switzerland helps East African communities fight locust swarms

18.02.2020 — Press releases EDA
East Africa has been hit by a massive infestation of desert locusts. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is donating CHF 1 million to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). As the situation evolves, the SDC may need to mobilise additional funding in partner countries.

Walter Kälin appointed to UN High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement

04.12.2019 — EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes UN Secretary-General António Guterres' decision to appoint Swiss law professor Walter Kälin as one of the experts of the UN's newly established High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement, which is tasked with finding solutions to internal displacement and alleviating its impact.

Switzerland renews support to UNHCR

07.06.2019 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council agreed at its meeting of 7 June 2019 to make a CHF 125 million contribution to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the 2019–22 period. The large number of crises around the world in 2018 meant that more than 21 million people received assistance and protection from UNHCR programmes, which are primarily implemented in neighbouring regions. Switzerland's partnership with the UNHCR is key to implementing its strategy linking international cooperation and national migration interests. In addition, Switzerland promotes its priorities within the Executive Committee of the UNHCR, the UN's largest organisation headquartered in Geneva.

More effective international cooperation: FDFA and EAER launch public consultation

02.05.2019 — Press releases EDA
Swiss development cooperation is to become more focused, making it more effective. This is the proposed strategic approach for Switzerland’s international cooperation, submitted for optional public consultation by the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Federal Department for Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) on 2 May 2019.

Swiss official development assistance: 0.44% of gross national income spent in 2018

10.04.2019 — Press releases EDA
In 2018, Switzerland spent 0.44% of its gross national income (GNI) on official development assistance (ODA), only slightly lower than 2017 (0.46%). This is due to an increase in GNI, fewer asylum-related costs included in ODA, and cost-cutting measures adopted by Parliament.

2nd UN World Data Forum: Switzerland supports the ongoing development of the global statistical system and will organise the next World Data Forum jointly with the UN in 2020

24.10.2018 — Press releases EDA
The second UN World Data Forum was held in Dubai from 22 to 24 October 2018. The adopted final document, the Dubai Declaration, focuses on strengthening the global statistics system and on the funding of official statistics. Furthermore, Switzerland has been chosen to host the third edition of the Forum in October 2020. Switzerland was represented in Dubai by a mixed delegation from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

Switzerland's engagement in the Human Rights Council

27.09.2018 — Press releases EDA
The 39th session of the Human Rights Council concludes on in Geneva on Friday 28 September. At a time when human rights are under pressure around the world, Switzerland's efforts to ensure that human rights are respected, protected and implemented is all the more essential.

Swiss school system provides impetus for effective development cooperation

12.09.2018 — Press releases EDA
A solid school education is the basis for economic success and social cohesion, and thus is key to the development of a country. For that reason, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) aims to capitalise to a greater extent on the strengths of the Swiss school system in its partner countries. A study commissioned by the SDC is currently examining the characteristics of compulsory education in Switzerland in terms of its added value for international cooperation. On this basis, the SDC intends to enter into new partnerships with Swiss school institutions, and with various cantons and communes. The aim is to strengthen the effectiveness of Switzerland's commitment to education through the promotion of 'Swissness' and the exchange of knowledge.

Federal Council approves 2017 Foreign Policy Report

21.02.2018 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council approved the 2017 Foreign Policy Report at its meeting on 21 February 2018. The report gives an account of Switzerland's most important foreign policy activities in 2017 in the context of international developments.

Sports diplomacy: 20 young Colombian athletes visit Switzerland

01.09.2017 — Press releases EDA
Twenty young Colombians are currently in Switzerland as part of a visit organised jointly by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The aim of the visit is to allow these young people – who come from a region mired in conflict – to learn more about training techniques while discovering popular Swiss sports, and to use sport to give them hope for a better life away from crime and violence.

Conferral of an ambassador title

28.06.2017 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council has decided to confer an ambassador title within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Mosul: Switzerland calls on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and increases its assistance in Iraq

01.06.2017 — Press releases EDA
Seven months after the start of the offensive to liberate Mosul, Iraqi forces have now begun their final push against the last pocket of the city controlled by the self-proclaimed ‘Islamic State’ group. Home to some 250,000 civilians, the district is also the most densely populated of the city. The fighting is reported to be extremely violent and the humanitarian situation appalling. Switzerland calls for compliance with international humanitarian law, rapid and unrestricted humanitarian access and continued efforts to assist the Iraqi people, including beyond the offensive in Mosul.

Conflicts and crises lead to increase in ODA in 2023

11.04.2024 — Press releases EDA
In 2023, Switzerland's official development assistance (ODA) amounted to CHF 4.64 billion, equivalent to 0.60% of its gross national income (GNI), more than a quarter of which came from asylum-related costs in Switzerland. Excluding these asylum costs, the ODA/GNI ratio was 0.43%.

Middle East conflict: Federal Council reiterates urgent need to respect international humanitarian law and proposes additional CHF 90 million in humanitarian aid

01.11.2023 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas since 7 October and calls for the immediate release of all hostages. It recognises Israel's right to ensure its defence and security, and stresses that international humanitarian law must be respected by all parties. In view of the extremely alarming humanitarian situation, the Federal Council is proposing to allocate a further CHF 90 million in aid to the region.

Swiss Official Development Aid (ODA) in 2022 reaches record high of 0.56% of Gross National Income (GNI) due to war in Ukraine

12.04.2023 — Press releases EDA
Swiss ODA amounted to CHF 4.274 billion, with asylum-related costs in Switzerland accounting for more than a quarter of that total. Excluding these asylum costs, the ODA/GNI ratio was 0.40%.

UN General Assembly: Ignazio Cassis condemns Russian aggression and calls for path to lasting peace in Ukraine

23.02.2023 — Press releases EDA
On 23 February 2023, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, attended an emergency special session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The deliberations focused on Russia's ongoing military aggression against Ukraine, which began a year ago. Mr Cassis voiced his support for the General Assembly's resolution calling for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Switzerland renews support to UNHCR

01.02.2023 — Press releases EDA
In response to the unprecedented flow of people forced to abandon their homes due to armed conflict, the Federal Council decided at its meeting on 1st February 2023 to allocate CHF 68 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the years 2023–24. The UNHCR provides dignified hosting conditions and medical assistance to those forced to flee as well as access to education for their children. It is a key partner in the implementation of Switzerland's foreign policy.

Education in crisis situations: Switzerland reinforces its commitment

09.11.2022 — Press releases EDA
Armed conflicts, forced displacement, natural catastrophes and other crises have left 222 million children around the world with little or no access to education. On 9 November 2022 the Federal Council decided to continue its commitment to education in crisis situations, authorising a contribution of CHF 25 million to the Education Cannot Wait fund for the period 2022–24.

Switzerland's official development assistance reached 0.51% of GNI in 2021

12.04.2022 — Press releases EDA
In 2021, Swiss official development assistance (ODA) amounted to CHF 3.589 billion, CHF 243 million more than in 2020. As a share of gross national income (GNI), Swiss ODA totalled 0.51%, compared with 0.49% in 2020.

Switzerland to help protect children and adolescents on the West and North African migration route

30.03.2022 — Press releases EDA
Every year, 5 million children and adolescents travel along the migration routes from and within West and North Africa. Many are unaccompanied minors who are exposed to considerable risk. At its meeting on 30 March, the Federal Council decided to provide around CHF 21.8 million in funding over the next four years to help protect underage migrants and create better local prospects for them.

Drought in Madagascar: Switzerland provides additional contribution of CHF 900,000

29.12.2021 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland is making an additional contribution of CHF 900,000 to help deal with the serious food crisis in Madagascar. In releasing this sum, which is intended to support the activities of the World Food Programme (WFP), Switzerland is responding to a recent joint appeal by the government of Madagascar and the UN for international aid. Alarming situations are also unfolding in many other countries where millions of people lack food because of armed conflict, economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of climate change. In 2021, Switzerland provided a total of CHF 100 million – a new record – to support the WFP's activities, primarily in Africa.

Global Compact on Refugees: Switzerland keeps its word

14.12.2021 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis today opened the High-Level Officials Meeting on the Global Compact on Refugees. Speaking remotely, he emphasised the initiatives implemented by Switzerland to follow up on commitments made at the 2019 Global Refugee Forum. The meeting was co-organised by Switzerland and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and aims to review actions undertaken to bolster support for displaced persons and their host countries. The vast majority of the world's 26 million refugees live in countries bordering crisis areas.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in Paris for Libya Conference

12.11.2021 — Press releases EDA
On 12 November 2021, the city of Paris hosted the most recent international conference on Libya, attended by members of the Berlin Process Political Working Group as well as representatives from Libya's neighbouring countries and interim government. The conference, which is co-chaired by France, Germany, Italy and the UN, supports the political transition in Libya. In his speech, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis called for free and fair elections. Switzerland contributes to resolving the conflict in Libya through its peace building efforts and role as host state for the negotiations.

More coordinated emergency humanitarian action

25.06.2021 — Press releases EDA
Finding new ways to respond to challenges exacerbated by COVID-19. This was one of the key issues discussed at the humanitarian affairs segment (HAS) of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which was held in Geneva from 23 to 25 June 2021 and was chaired by Switzerland. A resolution to strengthen coordination of humanitarian aid was adopted, sending an important political signal.

Walter Kälin appointed to UN High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement

04.12.2019 — EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes UN Secretary-General António Guterres' decision to appoint Swiss law professor Walter Kälin as one of the experts of the UN's newly established High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement, which is tasked with finding solutions to internal displacement and alleviating its impact.

Switzerland is endeavouring to tackle the causes of displacement

29.11.2016 — Article DEZA

Didier Burkhalter will be speaking at a panel discussion entitled ‘Displacement – the global challenge of the 21^st century’, which is being held at the University of Zurich in connection with the ‘DISPLACED’ exhibition at the National Museum Zurich. In this interview he talks about Swiss foreign policy in the area of migration.

Perspectives on displacement at the National Museum Zurich

28.10.2016 — Article DEZA

DISPLACED opens on 29 October 2016 at the National Museum Zurich. The exhibition gives visitors a glimpse of what it means to have to give up one's home, family, work and country. The SDC is taking part in the exhibition.

UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants: the international community's responsibility – Switzerland's commitment

16.09.2016 — Article DEZA

The first United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants is taking place on 19 September 2016 in New York and will see the international community adopt joint measures in response to the large movements of refugees and migrants. Switzerland will be focusing in particular on improving protection on the ground, preventing forced displacement and finding sustainable solutions for directly affected populations.

Disasters: what can be done to protect displaced people?

05.10.2015 — Article EDA

The Nansen Initiative, launched by Switzerland and Norway in 2012, will present its findings on 12-13 October in Geneva. For three years its members collected best practices from states that have faced an influx of people displaced by disasters. Walter Kälin, a professor of public international law at the University of Bern who also serves as Envoy of the Chairmanship of the Nansen Initiative, describes the consultation process and discusses the next steps.  

Just as water can contribute to conflict, it can also be a source of reconciliation

09.09.2014 — Article DEZA

The water crisis and its consequences on access to drinking water, food security and the rural economy are one of the causes of the Syrian conflict. But shared and efficient management of water resources could be a factor for reconciliation. With this in mind, the SDC in partnership with the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies has prepared a report on the water situation as well as that of displaced people in the strategic region of the Orontes River basin.

Swiss people mobilised to help South Sudan's displaced populations

18.06.2014 — Article DEZA

Andrea Cippa, Barbara Egger Maldonado, Arnold Egli and Dominique Reinecke each worked for the UNHCR or the World Food Programme (WFP) in South Sudan and Ethiopia for several months. What they have in common is that they are all members of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) and they have all worked to improve the lives of displaced persons and refugees in the region. Having returned from their missions, they explain the significance of their respective commitments.

Repatriation and reintegration of Afghan refugees

10.05.2012 — Article DEZA

The aim of the International Conference on Afghan Displacement, held in Geneva on 2-3 May 2012, was to find sustainable solutions for Afghan refugees. The new strategy endorsed by the conference primarily supports voluntary repatriation, sustainable reintegration and assistance to host countries. The conference can be regarded as a success for Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan in view of the support pledged by the international community, and for Switzerland as the host country and facilitator for implementation of the new strategy.