Here you can find the last 12 media releases and other news published by the FDFA, such as statements, announcements and articles, in chronological order.
All media releases can be found on the Administarions's website.
15.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
In the context of international proposals to use frozen Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine, the Federal Council sought official clarification on the legal basis for any such action. A working group led by the Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) concluded that the confiscation of private Russian assets would undermine the Federal Constitution and the prevailing legal order. The Federal Council noted the working group’s conclusions at its meeting on 15 February. Support for Ukraine will continue, independent of the discussions on frozen assets.
15.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
At its meeting on 15 February 2023, the Federal Council appointed Franz Perrez as head of the Directorate of International Law at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Mr Perrez (56) will take up his post on 1 July 2023, succeeding Corinne Cicéron Bühler, who has been appointed ambassador to the Netherlands. Mr Perrez currently heads the International Affairs Division at the Federal Office for the Environment.
15.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
At its meeting on 15 February 2023, the Federal Council decided to launch administrative proceedings to confiscate assets frozen in Switzerland following the Ukrainian revolution in February 2014. The confiscation proceedings in Switzerland will apply to all the assets liable to confiscation – in total over CHF 130 million. In taking this action, Switzerland is supporting Ukraine. Today's decision is entirely unrelated to the sanctions against Russia adopted in 2022.
14.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
Presence Switzerland and Pro Helvetia are joining forces to host the House of Switzerland at Milan Design Week. Created in collaboration with emerging designers, independent studios, established brands and educational and research institutions, the 'Urgent Legacy' group exhibition presents innovative and sustainable Swiss design responses to the urgent challenges of the present.
13.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
The president of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, in Bern on Monday 13 February 2023. The two meetings focused on cooperation between Switzerland and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, with both sides stressing the important role of human rights in conflict prevention.
13.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
On 15 and 16 February 2023, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will host the 2nd International Cooperation Forum Switzerland (IC Forum) in Geneva. Entitled 'Education4Future', the IC Forum will focus on education, bringing together representatives from the political arena, research, the private and financial sectors, NGOs and young people. The IC Forum aims to find joint solutions and to provide access to education worldwide.
13.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
After almost a week of sustained operations, Swiss Rescue is ending its search for survivors of the devastating earthquake in Turkey. The team and the search dogs are returning to Switzerland on Monday 13 February 2023. The second phase of the emergency aid operations was already launched on Saturday 11 February 2023, with the arrival of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit's rapid response team in Hatay Province, Turkey. In addition, an initial aid delivery with 300 winter-proof family tents is on its way to the earthquake-hit region.
10.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
The earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have caused massive damage, leaving thousands of people in the two countries dead or injured, with the number of casualties still expected to rise. In response to an appeal from the Turkish authorities, Swiss Humanitarian Aid immediately sent a Swiss Rescue team to the affected regions last Monday. A second phase of the emergency response is being launched today.
06.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
On 6 February 2023, a number of earthquakes occurred along the Turkish–Syrian border. Swiss Humanitarian Aid has sent around 80 Swiss Rescue experts and eight search dogs to the Gaziantep area in southern Turkey. The rescue team also includes disaster response specialists from the Swiss Armed Forces. The rescue effort is in response to an appeal for help from the Turkish authorities. The Swiss authorities are in the process of clarifying what assistance is needed by people in Syria affected by the earthquakes.
02.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
From 24 January to 2 February, Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) hosted an online meeting of governmental experts, with the aim of improving protection of the environment in armed conflicts through better implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL). States can now draw inspiration from the good practices shared at the meeting.
02.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
President Alain Berset will travel to Botswana and Mozambique next week. While in Botswana the aim will be to raise contacts to a new level and in Mozambique President Berset will foster Switzerland’s longstanding relations with the country–. In both countries, the regional situation and global issues will be discussed in addition to bilateral topics – also with a view to Switzerland's work in the UN Security Council.
02.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
The next world exhibition will be held in 2025 in Osaka, Japan. As a major international event with significant media coverage, Switzerland will use Expo 2025 as a platform to further deepen relations with Japan as one of the most important trading partners in Asia and to showcase Swiss innovative strengths and sustainability – with the lightest pavilion at the event.
24.03.2023 —
Press release
EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has signed contribution agreements worth around CHF 270 million with 27 partners for the period 2023–24. Swiss NGOs are instrumental in accomplishing Switzerland's international cooperation objectives. With the support of the SDC and in cooperation with their local partners, they create decent jobs, work for the sustainable use of natural resources and transfer Swiss expertise and innovative approaches to local actors.
24.03.2023 —
Press release
EDA
The UN 2023 Water Conference, which was held in New York from 22 to 24 March, has resulted in an action agenda. This outcome is expected to help advance progress on SDG 6 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – clean and accessible water for all. The Swiss delegation to the conference emphasised the importance of concerted and effective transboundary water management in making this vital resource a tool for peace and cooperation.
20.03.2023 —
Press release
EDA
The Swiss Confederation is extending its support to the populations of the earthquake-hit regions of Turkey and Syria. At the international donors' conference in Brussels, held to secure support for the people of Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquakes, Manuel Bessler, the Federal Council's delegate for humanitarian aid, announced that Switzerland would contribute CHF 8,5 million towards relief efforts in the affected areas.
20.03.2023 —
Press release
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes the positive outcome of the negotiations that were held in the canton of Bern. The plan, agred this afternoon at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, was concluded thanks to facilitation by the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Switzerland supports the UN peace process in Yemen as part of its good offices policy.
17.03.2023 —
Press release
EDA
The Kantha Bopha children's hospitals, founded by Dr Beat Richner in 1992, have made a major contribution to improving the health system in Cambodia over the past 30 years. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has backed these efforts since the very beginning and will continue to support the hospitals until 2027. On March 17, 2023, SDC Director General Patricia Danzi signed an agreement to this effect with the Kantha Bopha Foundation.
17.03.2023 —
Press release
EDA
A number of staff changes and conferments of ambassadorial titles have been announced for 2023 for several Swiss representations abroad and at the head office of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) as part of the usual transfer rotation and on the basis of appointments made by the Federal Council at its meeting on March 17, 2023.
09.03.2023 —
Press release
EDA
The state secretary of the FDFA, Livia Leu, met with South Africa's deputy minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, in Pretoria today for political consultations. The focus was on foreign policy issues as well as bilateral matters in the areas of business, human rights and education, research and innovation. South Africa is a priority country of the Federal Council's Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23 and Switzerland’s most important economic partner in Africa.
09.03.2023 —
Press release
EDA
Private Sector Engagement (PSE) is highlighted in the Swiss International Cooperation Strategy 2021–24 as an important modality to achieve sustainable development and poverty reduction. As part of the ambition to partner with the private sector in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) committed 15 million Swiss francs for the Bamboo-UNCDF Initiative for the Least Developed (BUILD) Fund.
07.03.2023 —
Press release
EDA
Francesca Pometta, of Ticino origin, was the first Swiss woman to be appointed ambassador. She was a trailblazer who paved the way for women in the Swiss diplomatic service – and the number of women diplomats has been growing ever since. A room in the Federal Palace West, which houses the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), now bears her name. The inauguration took place on 7 March on the occasion of International Women's Day in the presence of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.
06.03.2023 —
Press release
EDA
The 67th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) opens on 6 March 2023 in New York with the theme 'Innovation and technological change – education in the digital age'. Switzerland's particular focus is on initiatives to promote women's and girls' access to technology and innovation, and to guard against cyber violence. The president of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, will be heading the Swiss delegation and will speak at the CSW on 6 March. On 7 March, he will deliver a speech to the UN Security Council on women, peace and security.
03.03.2023 —
Press release
EDA
At its meeting of 3 March 2023, the Federal Council has decided to capitalise on the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina as a platform to promote Switzerland and its national interests. Northern Italy is one of Switzerland's most important neighbouring regions in economic terms. The House of Switzerland will focus on sustainability and innovation as well as the Alps as a common living and economic space.
01.03.2023 —
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received the Chilean Foreign Minister Antonia Urrejola Noguera today in Murten, canton of Fribourg, for an official working visit. The discussions focused on bilateral relations, particularly economic relations, as well as cooperation in environmental, multilateral and other matters.
24.11.2022 —
Article
EDA
Approximately 780,000 Swiss citizens abroad currently benefit from the wide range of services provided by a global network of representations offering advice and support. The FDFA Helpline is also on hand to answer queries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Now there's a new app that makes staying in touch even easier: SwissInTouch keeps Switzerland at your fingertips.
29.01.2022 —
EDA
Allocution du président de la Confédération Ignazio Cassis, chef du Département fédéral des affaires étrangères, à l’occasion du 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki - Check against delivery.
21.05.2021 —
EDA
Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), on the occasion of the 131st (virtual) Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Check against delivery.
04.09.2020 —
EDA
Camorino, 04.09.2020 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony "Ceneri2020" - Check against delivery
25.08.2020 —
EDA
Bern, 25.08.2020: Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the retirement of the ambassadors and the welcoming of the young diplomats who are taking up their posts in the service of the FDFA. Check against delivery.
26.06.2020 —
EDA
Geneva, 26.06.2020: Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter - Check against delivery
29.01.2020 —
DEZA
The FDFA has showcased some innovative technology at the 50th WEF, which could reduce global CO2 emissions by millions of tonnes per year. The SDC undertakes a range of projects in the construction industry, working in cooperation with academia and the private sector. The aim of these projects, which are located in emerging economies, is to tackle global warming effectively.
17.01.2020 —
Article
EDA
Just what is the perfect trip abroad? And where would it take you? Swiss travellers have different needs and expectations – some prefer to go on their own, others would rather choose an organised tour. It doesn't matter if you're a backpacker or a jet-setter: the FDFA provides a wide range of services for anyone who wants to travel abroad.
14.01.2020 —
Article
DEZA
Honeyland has been nominated for an Oscar in the categories Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary. The film’s hero, Hatidze Muratova, champions environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources. She was discovered through the Nature Conservation Programme launched by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
20.12.2019 —
EDA
At its meeting on 20 December 2019, the Federal Council approved an exchange of notes between Switzerland and Italy regarding the change of the customs status of the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia. This exchange of notes is necessary to ensure legal certainty and facilitates the transition of Campione d'Italia into the European Union's customs territory, scheduled for 1 January 2020.
19.12.2019 —
EDA
On 16 and 17 December 2019 a third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee, supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation on the basic principles for a mechanism of customs administration and monitoring of trade in goods, signed on 9 November 2011, took place in Bern.