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Switzerland's international cooperation: SDC allocates programme contributions to 27 NGO partners

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.

UN Water Conference results in action agenda

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.

Post-earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria: Switzerland provides CHF 8,5 million for affected population

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.

Plan agreed in Geneva for the release of prisoners of war in Yemen

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.

SDC prolongs support for Kantha Bopha children's hospitals in Cambodia for five more years

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.

New Swiss ambassadors

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.

Foreign policy, economic affairs, human rights: FDFA State Secretary Livia Leu holds political consultations in South Africa

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.

Switzerland pledges 15 million francs to the Bamboo-UNCDF Initiative for the Least Developed (BUILD) Fund

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.

'Francesca Pometta' room in Federal Palace to celebrate the history of women diplomats

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.

UN Commission on the Status of Women: Switzerland highlights importance of digitalisation for gender equality

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.

House of Switzerland in northern Italy – at the heart of the Alps and our national interests

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.

Chile's Foreign Minister Antonia Urrejola in Switzerland for official visit

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.

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Ignazio Cassis opens UN Human Rights Council on anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and war in Ukraine

27.02.2023 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, opened the 52nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva today. In his speech, he reiterated his strong condemnation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and massive violation of human rights, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Switzerland pledges CHF 14.5 million for humanitarian aid in Yemen in 2023

27.02.2023 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis opened the high-level donor conference on the crisis in Yemen in Geneva today, together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Sweden's Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell. He announced CHF 14.5 million in financial support for humanitarian aid on the ground. After years of war, the people of Yemen are facing extremely dire living conditions.

UN Security Council: Ignazio Cassis calls for respect of Geneva Conventions and withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine

24.02.2023 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, took part in a high-level UN Security Council debate in New York on 24 February 2023. Mr Cassis called for the withdrawal of Russia's armed forces present on Ukraine's sovereign territory for a year and for respect of the Geneva Conventions. He also underscored Switzerland's commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria: Switzerland sends more experts and material

23.02.2023 — Press release EDA
Doctors, engineers, winter tents: Swiss Humanitarian Aid is continuing to support people affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. It has now been over two weeks since the devastating earthquake and people in the affected areas are still desperately in need of humanitarian assistance. Some CHF 8 million has already been made available to aid the survivors.

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

23.02.2023 — Press release 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.

Federal Council approves loan to finance renovation of OTIF headquarters building in Bern

22.02.2023 — Press release EDA
On 22 February 2023 the Federal Council approved an interest-bearing loan of CHF 3.8 million for the Foundation for Buildings for International Organisations. The amount is earmarked for the renovation of the headquarters building of the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF) in Bern. The work will last two years (2024–25).

One year of war against Ukraine: Federal Council takes stock of its engagement and requests new aid package

22.02.2023 — Press release EDA
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a military attack on Ukraine in violation of international law. In response, the Federal Council decided to adopt the EU's sanctions against Russia, thus bolstering their impact. The Swiss government also provided humanitarian assistance to people affected by the war in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. In Switzerland, over 75,000 Ukrainians have been granted protection status S. One year after the military aggression began, the Federal Council expresses its solidarity with the war-stricken population, takes stock of its engagement and requests, at its meeting of 22 February 2023, the immediate release of a new aid package totalling CHF 140 million.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Slovenian foreign minister in Riehen (BS)

21.02.2023 — Press release EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Ignazio Cassis, received Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Deputy Prime Minister Tanja Fajon in Riehen (Basel-Stadt). Their discussions focused on the war in Ukraine, the work of the UN Security Council, Switzerland's European policy and the excellent bilateral relations between Switzerland and Slovenia.

Delicious Graubünden specialities kick off third edition of Romansh Language Week

20.02.2023 — Press release EDA
Today sees the start of the third international Romansh Language Week ('Emna rumantscha'), an initiative promoted by the FDFA in cooperation with the canton of Graubünden and the Lia Rumantscha. This year's scheduled events include a cookery workshop in Bern involving federal councillor and head of the FDFA, Ignazio Cassis, president of the National Council, Martin Candinas, and other distinguished guests; a themed evening in London; and language courses in New York. The aim is to raise awareness abroad of multilingual Switzerland.

Strengthening the right to education for all: Switzerland pledges CHF 35 million to Education Cannot Wait until 2026

16.02.2023 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis opened the first Education Cannot Wait (ECW) High-Level Financing Conference on 16 February 2023. Switzerland pledged CHF 35 million to ECW, the UN's global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises, until 2026. Education4Future was also the focus of the second edition of the IC Forum, which brought together 1,300 participants from more than 120 countries in Geneva and online.

Vice President Amherd and Federal Councillor Cassis at the 2023 Munich Security Conference

16.02.2023 — Press release EDA
From 17 to 19 February, Vice President of the Federal Council Viola Amherd and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will be attending the Munich Security Conference. During this working visit, the heads of the DDPS and the FDFA will exchange views with their counterparts on security and foreign policy issues.

Federal Council adopts 2023–26 strategy for South East Asia

15.02.2023 — Press release EDA
For the first time, the Federal Council has adopted a regional strategy concerning the countries of South East Asia. The strategy is intended to broaden Switzerland's relations with the region and to coherently harness the many opportunities offered by the overall growth of the Asia-Pacific. It complements the China Strategy that the Federal Council approved in 2021.

Other news (300)

SwissInTouch, Switzerland in your pocket

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.

Speech - 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki

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.

"Digitalisation - an opportunity for Europe's democratic values"

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.

Official opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel

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

Passaggio di testimone tra generazioni (de-fr-it)

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.

75 years of the United Nations (fr)

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

Opening of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council (fr)

24.02.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 24.02.2020 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

SDC Newsletter: Africa, CO2 reduction and WEF

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.

Discover the world with the FDFA and with peace mind

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.

Honeyland Oscar nominee

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).

Switzerland and Italy reach an agreement on Campione d'Italia

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.

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

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.

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