Press releases

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UN Sustainable Development Goals: Switzerland calls on all stakeholders to step up cooperation

18.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
This year's High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is taking place from 14 to 23 July 2025 at the UN headquarters in New York. The Swiss delegation is being led by Markus Reubi, the Federal Council Delegate for the 2030 Agenda at the FDFA and will focus on economic growth and decent work.

State Secretary for Security Policy to travel to Chisinau for security policy dialogue with Moldova

17.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Markus Mäder, State Secretary for Security Policy, will hold talks on current security policy developments and bilateral cooperation with his counterparts in Chisinau (Moldova) from 17 to 18 July.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Conference: global security and bilateral relations at centre of talks

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 10 and 11 July, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Malaysia. His participation underlines South East Asia's growing economic importance to Switzerland. Mr Cassis used the platform to discuss economic ties, bilateral relations and global challenges with his counterparts from Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore. For the first time, he also met the new Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand on the margins of the conference.

Victims of National Socialism: Call for proposals to design the memorial in Bern

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
In April 2023, the Federal Council decided to establish a memorial in the centre of Bern for the victims of National Socialism. The Federal Council considers it vital to keep alive the memory of the consequences of National Socialism, as well as the fate of the six million Jews and all other victims of the Nazi regime. On the recommendation of the communal parliament of the City of Bern, the Casinoterrasse near the Federal Parliament was selected as the location for the site of remembrance. A call is now being organised to gather proposals for the its creation from multidisciplinary teams in the fields of art, architecture and history.

Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to reconstruction at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) has been held since 2022 to coordinate reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. At this year's conference, which took place in Rome from 10 to 11 July, the head of the Swiss delegation, Jacques Gerber, signed an international treaty with Ukraine. This forms the legal basis for increased cooperation with the Swiss private sector in reconstruction. Projects in the areas of health, education and war risk insurance were also approved.

Strengthening economic ties is focus of talks by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in Nepal and Bhutan

09.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visited Nepal and Bhutan during his week-long trip to Asia from 7 to 9 July. The official talks with government representatives centred on bilateral relations and opportunities for deeper economic cooperation.

Les droits des femmes et la non-discrimination au cœur du travail de la Suisse pendant la 59e session du Conseil des droits de l’homme.

08.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Dans un contexte global marqué par le recul de l’Etat de droit, la Suisse travaille avec détermination en faveur des droits de l’homme. Pour cette 59ème session du Conseil des droits de l’homme (CDH) des Nations Unies, un accent particulier a été placé sur la promotion des droits des femmes et de l’égalité de genre, ainsi que sur les droits des personnes LGBT. La session, qui s'est clôturée aujourd’hui après trois semaines et demie de débats, a été marquée par une adaptation du travail imposée par les restrictions budgétaires affectant l’ensemble du système onusien.

Switzerland reopens its embassy in Iran – ambassador returns to Tehran

06.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
As of today, 6 July 2025, the Swiss embassy in Tehran is open again after having temporarily closed on 20 June due to the unstable situation in Iran. Ambassador Nadine Olivieri Lozano and a small team returned to Tehran yesterday overland via Azerbaijan. The embassy will gradually resume operations.

Ignazio Cassis in Asia for ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and bilateral talks

03.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, will be travelling to Asia from 7 to 13 July 2025. He will attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. His participation highlights the growing economic and geopolitical importance of the South East Asian states. Official working visits to Nepal, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore are also planned around the conference.

Presentation of credentials

02.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present their credentials

FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel in Germany for political consultations

01.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Alexandre Fasel, the state secretary of the FDFA, was in Berlin on 1 July 2025 to hold political consultations with his German counterpart, the state secretary of the Federal Foreign Office, Géza Andreas von Geyr. Talks focused on current geopolitical developments, bilateral issues and the opening of the consultation procedure in Switzerland on the agreements in the new Swiss-EU package. Mr Fasel also met with the state secretary of Germany's Federal Chancellery, Jörg Semmler.

Switzerland attends 4th International Conference on Financing for Development

30.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland will be participating in the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain, from 30 June to 3 July 2025. Organised under the auspices of the United Nations, this global event aims to address financing challenges in order to help achieve the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals. The conference will cover a wide range of issues relating to development policy, environmental, economic and social sustainability, and macroeconomics. The Swiss delegation is being led by Patricia Danzi, director general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Media (3506)

Federal Council adopts mandate on taxation of savings income with EU

18.12.2013 — Press releases EDA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council adopted the mandate for negotiations regarding a revision of the taxation of savings agreement with the European Union. The competent parliamentary committees and the cantons were consulted on the draft mandate beforehand. The negotiations with the European Commission should commence at the start of 2014. The aim is to close loopholes.

New appointments as Swiss ambassadors

18.12.2013 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 18 December 2013, the Federal Council appointed six new ambassadors in three federal departments. Due to the ever-growing international interdependence and the need to find solutions for current challenges and needs at the international level, the Federal Council confers ambassador titles also to officials working outside the diplomatic service of the FDFA and SECO foreign economic services.

The Federal Council extends the freezing of assets of several individuals from Tunisia and Egypt

18.12.2013 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council decided during today's session to extend by three years the freezing of all assets held in Switzerland by deposed presidents Ben Ali (Tunisia) and Mubarak (Egypt) and by politically exposed persons in their entourage. The aim of this extension is to provide more time for criminal investigations in Tunisia and Egypt into the origin of these assets. The Federal Council is thereby taking account of the political transition in the two countries.

Expo Milano 2015: lot assigned for the construction of the Swiss pavilion

16.12.2013 — Press releases EDA
At an international ceremony which took place in Milan on 16 December 2013, Società Expo assigned to Switzerland the lot for the construction of its pavilion. The ceremony to award the lots involved 24 countries and marks an important stage 500 days before the opening of Expo Milano 2015. This formal step enables technical testing to commence for the construction from spring 2014 of the Swiss exhibition space, which will cover 4,432 square metres.

Switzerland to preside over the Biological Weapons Convention in 2014

16.12.2013 — Press releases EDA
On 13 December, the states parties to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in Geneva elected Urs Schmid, the Swiss disarmament ambassador, as their chairperson for 2014. The BWC is one of the most important disarmament conventions in the field of weapons of mass destruction.

Switzerland steps up its commitment to the fight against malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis

13.12.2013 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council has approved a contribution of CHF 60 million for the 2014-2016 period for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM). Switzerland was one of the founders of the Geneva-based fund in 2002 and has been one of its key partners since the beginning. Malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis remain the leading causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa. These three diseases are among the most important factors hampering development.

A further CHF 5 million of winter aid for victims of the Syrian crisis

12.12.2013 — Press releases EDA
Since the conflict in Syria began, the third winter has now set in. The cold, the rain and the snow are making conditions radically worse for people displaced within the country and those that have fled to neighbouring lands. This situation has prompted Switzerland to donate a further CHF 5 million to the victims of the conflict who are suffering hardship. The money is to be used to fund winter programmes run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and by the UNHCR in Syria, and to provide Save the Children in Jordan with material assistance to withstand the winter.

Private military and security companies: five years after the adoption of the Montreux Document

11.12.2013 — Press releases EDA
The Montreux Document, which recommends good practices for states related to operations of private military and security companies during armed conflict, celebrates its fifth anniversary. The number of signatory states has increased from 17 in 2008 to 49 today. Three international organisations have also joined this initiative: the EU, the OSCE and most recently NATO. Representatives of some 60 countries, international organisations, civil society, and private security companies will debate the challenges posed by this issue, as well as possible solutions, during a three-day conference in Montreux.

Switzerland defends human rights defenders

10.12.2013 — Press releases EDA
To mark Human Rights Day today, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) honours individuals who work to ensure compliance with universally recognised human rights. At a press conference in Zurich, State Secretary Yves Rossier and Ambassador Claude Wild affirmed that in future, the FDFA wants to offer human rights defenders more effective support and better protection against arbitrary treatment by state authorities. The "Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders", which the Federal Council recently took cognisance of, offer an important basis for this.

OSCE Ministerial Council 2013: Switzerland stresses the need for dialogue in building a security community for the benefit of everyone

06.12.2013 — Press releases EDA
Speaking in his capacity as the next chairman-in-office of the OSCE at the closing plenary session of the Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, paid homage to the deceased former South African president, Nelson Mandela, as an exemplar of freedom and reconciliation. The representatives of the 57 OSCE member states adopted several decisions and declarations at the close of this year's Ministerial Council in Kiev.

Death of Nelson Mandela – Condolences of the President of the Swiss Confederation, Ueli Maurer

06.12.2013 — Press releases EDA
It is with great sadness that the President of the Swiss Confederation, Ueli Maurer, heard the news of the death of Nelson Mandela. On behalf of the people of Switzerland and the Federal Council, Mr Maurer conveys his sincere condolences to the people and government of South Africa. The President of the Swiss Confederation extends its deepest sympathies to the family of the former President of South Africa. He shares with the South African people their great pain on this very sad occasion.

Switzerland shows Colombian kids the potential of sport

05.12.2013 — Press releases EDA
From 6 to 15 December, 26 Colombian girls and boys have been invited by Switzerland to get an introduction to well-loved sports in Switzerland, such as football, ice hockey and basketball. The aim of the visit is to show young people from conflict-ridden regions alternative prospects to a life of crime and violence. The visit is organised by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in cooperation with Colombia's foreign ministry, the Federal Office of Sport (FOSPO) and sport clubs FC Basel 1893, SC Bern, Lions de Genève, Basket Club Latino Carouge and Floorball Köniz. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will meet the young people on 12 December.

Other news (151)

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

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.

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.

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brings together actors committed to finding shared solutions

17.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened the Global Refugee Forum together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The purpose of the forum, which takes place on 17 and 18 December at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, is to find shared solutions to meet the needs of refugees and their host communities.

Federal Council extends freeze on assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council decided to extend for one year the preventive freeze on the assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine. The purpose of this decision is to support the judicial cooperation between Switzerland and these two states.

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