Press releases

All news (3646)

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).

Karin Keller-Sutter to meet Emmanuel Macron in Paris

27.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, is to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Tuesday, 1 July. The geopolitical situation and security issues will be at the centre of their discussions. Also on the agenda are bilateral relations between Switzerland and France, European policy and competitiveness.

Switzerland to host a global summit on artificial intelligence in 2027

25.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 25 June 2025, the Federal Council expressed its intention to host an artificial intelligence (AI) summit in Geneva in 2027.

Security and defence partnership: Federal Council to seek exploratory talks with the EU

25.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 25 June 2025, the Federal Council decided to enter into exploratory talks with the EU with a view to concluding a security and defence partnership. These partnerships provide the EU with a framework for enhancing cooperation with third countries in this field. A security and defence partnership takes the form of non-legally-binding declaration of intent and can be designed individually. A partnership of this kind is a prerequisite for any joint procurements in the defence sector. It is compatible with neutrality and helps to strengthen Switzerland's defence capabilities.

Earthquake simulation exercise: 12 countries train in Kriens to save lives

25.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
The earthquakes in Myanmar in April 2025 and in Turkey in February 2023 claimed countless lives. Internationally deployable rescue teams provide vital assistance in such emergencies, and regular training is key to ensuring the efficiency of their operations. To that end Switzerland is conducting the international earthquake simulation exercise ‘SIMEX25’ in Kriens (canton of Lucerne) from 23 to 27 June. Rescue teams from 12 countries are taking part.

FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel holds political consultations in France

25.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel was in Paris on 25 June 2025 for political consultations. In addition to bilateral topics and cross-border issues, the talks at France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs centred on current geopolitical developments and the opening of the consultation procedure in Switzerland on the agreements in the new Swiss–EU package to stabilise and develop relations.

Switzerland and EU regulate cooperation during ratification phase of package

24.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 24 June 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will sign a joint declaration in Brussels. It sets out arrangements for cooperation between Switzerland and the EU from the end of 2024 until the entry into force of the Swiss–EU package. At its meeting on 13 June 2025, the Federal Council approved the agreements, protocols and statements for the new package to stabilise and further develop Switzerland's bilateral approach with the EU and opened the domestic consultation process.

New Swiss ambassadors

20.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Personnel changes and the conferment of ambassadorial titles will take place in 2025 at several Swiss representations and at the head office of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) as part of the FDFA's periodic transfer rotation and on the basis of appointments made by the Federal Council.

The Federal Council is investing a quarter of a billion Swiss francs to strengthen International Geneva

20.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 20 June 2025, the Federal Council allocated CHF 269 million to International Geneva. It approved an urgent package of measures and a new dispatch on Switzerland as a host state for the period 2026–29. It is thus reaffirming the central role of International Geneva in Swiss foreign policy and its unique place in global governance. The measures are a response to the financial difficulties faced by international organisations and the increasing competition between states to host them. For comparison, the FDFA's contribution to International Geneva over the last four years amounted to almost CHF 2 billion.

Federal Council adopts new Asia G20 Strategy

20.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 20 June 2025, the Federal Council adopted its first Asia G20 Strategy, which reflects Switzerland's wide-ranging interests in the five Asian G20 member states: China, India, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea. The Asia G20 Strategy defines objectives and measures for the 2025–28 period, building on the South East Asia Strategy 2023–26 and China Strategy 2021–24.

FDFA temporarily closing embassy in Iran

20.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
In view of the intensity of military operations in Iran and the highly unstable situation on the ground, the FDFA has decided to temporarily close the Swiss embassy in Tehran. All expatriate staff have now left Iran and are safe. They will return to Tehran as soon as the situation allows. Switzerland is continuing to fulfil its protecting power mandate for the US in Iran through its good offices in agreement with both countries. Switzerland calls for an urgent return to dialogue with a view to de-escalation.

Presentation of credentials

18.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present their credentials

Media (3495)

The FDFA welcomes the Release of the two American Citizens

21.09.2011 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes the release of the two American citizens Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal from Iranian imprisonment. They were able to leave Iran on September 21st 2011. Within the scope of its mandate as protecting power for the USA in Iran, the FDFA has been engaged over the past two years in seeking a solution to the case of the imprisoned US citizens. A third American citizen, Sarah Shourd, was released from prison on September 14 2010, after bail had been posted.

Francophonie ministerial meeting at the UN on the countries in transition

20.09.2011 — Press releases EDA
On the initiative of Switzerland, which is currently chairing the Summit of La Francophonie, an informal meeting of foreign ministers and representatives of the members of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF) was held on 20 September 2011 at the UN headquarters in New York.

Collegamento dei sistemi di scambio di quote di emissioni: 2° turno di negoziati

20.09.2011 — Press releases EDA
A Zurigo ha avuto luogo il 20 settembre 2011 il secondo turno di negoziati tra la Svizzera e l’Unione Europea sul collegamento dei sistemi di scambio di quote di emissioni di CO2. Un accordo in tale ambito consentirebbe il riconoscimento reciproco delle quote di emissioni e favorirebbe l’accesso delle imprese svizzere al mercato delle quote di emissioni europeo, di gran lunga più grande di quello svizzero e dotato di maggiore liquidità.

Kuwait

14.09.2011 — Press releases EDA
On 14 September 2011, Federal President Micheline Calmy-Rey received the Kuwaiti Prime Minister in Bern for talks. Discussions focused on bilateral relations between Kuwait and Switzerland, and developments in the Arab world.

President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey at the 66th UN General Assembly in New York

14.09.2011 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland will be represented by President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey at the High Level Meeting of the 66th UN General Assembly during the third week of September. The President will take part in the ministerial meeting on non-communicable diseases and in a symposium on international cooperation in combating terrorism. On 21 September, she will speak in the General Debate. Micheline Calmy-Rey will chair a ministerial meeting of the Organisation of the Francophonie, participate in the fourth session of the Panel on Global Sustainability and hold a series of bilateral talks.

Ministerial meeting chaired by Switzerland at the UN on major political transitions in the francophone area

13.09.2011 — Press releases EDA
On the initiative of Switzerland, which is chairing the Summit of La Francophonie, an informal meeting for the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and representatives of the 75 States and governments belonging to the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF) will be held on 20 September 2011 at UN headquarters in New York. This meeting will take place alongside the High-Level Segment of the UN General Assembly.

The President of the Confederation meets the cantonal government of Ticino

13.09.2011 — Press releases EDA
On Tuesday evening, the President of the Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, received the cantonal government of Ticino in Bern for talks on relations with Italy. Mrs Calmy-Rey made a point of saying that the Federal Council had been actively working on ways to overcome difficulties with Rome on a number of tax issues for some time already. Talks have been taking place with Italy since Mrs Calmy-Rey met the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at the beginning of June this year.

Meeting of the “Confederation-Canton Geneva Permanent Joint Group on the Priorities of International Geneva” on security issues

12.09.2011 — Press releases EDA
The Confederation-Canton Geneva Permanent Joint Group on the Priorities of International Geneva (GPC) met today under the aegis of President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and of Mrs Isabel Rochat, head of the Department of Security, Police and Environment of Geneva (DSPE), who was accompanied by Mark Muller, President of the Council of the State of Geneva and David Hiler, head of the Finance Department.

SDC to hold international conference on environmental disasters

12.09.2011 — Press releases EDA
Coordinated responses to large-scale disasters and their impact on the environment is the subject of the Wilton Park conference from 12 to 15 September in Glion near Montreux. The conference initiated by Switzerland will prepare the United Nations conference on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20) next year. In the margins of the Wilton Park conference President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey met UN Under Secretary General Sha Zukang in Geneva.

President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey meets Iurie Leanca, Moldovan Minister of Foreign Affairs

05.09.2011 — Press releases EDA
President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), met Mr Iurie Leanca, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs and European integration of the Republic of Moldova, in the framework of an official visit to the Watteville House in Bern. These talks provided an opportunity to discuss numerous bilateral and regional issues.

Switzerland to participate at the UN General Assembly’s High-level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases

31.08.2011 — Press releases EDA
A Swiss delegation headed by the President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey will attend the UN General Assembly's High-level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases on 19 and 20 September 2011 in New York. Given the growing prominence of non-communicable diseases, Switzerland will highlight the importance of prevention and the need to involve all sectors of government and civil society in formulating and implementing solutions to confront this scourge.

Chinese Delegation to visit Switzerland on invitation of the SDC within the Frame of the “Low Carbon Cities” Initiative

30.08.2011 — Press releases EDA
Within the frame of the “Low Carbon Cities China” initiative, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is organizing a three-day visit to Switzerland for a delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MoHURD) including representatives of the cities of Dezhou and Yinchuan. Lausanne will welcome the delegation on Monday, 5 September 2011, and, as bearer of the “Energy City” label, will acquaint the visitors with its energy policy.

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.

FDFA

News

Press releases

Press releases

All news (3646)

Media (3495)

Other news (151)

Links

Information for the media

Contact