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.
09.05.2025
—
Press releases
EDA
Federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider announced in Venice today the future set-up for the Palazzo Trevisan. As of 1 January 2026, the main floor of the palace will be turned into a platform managed by the FDFA which will not only build on the palace's important role in promoting Swiss culture but will also incorporate new activities in the fields of innovation, research and sustainability. This development is the result of collaboration between the FDFA and the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA), with the dual aim of strengthening the Palazzo Trevisan as a vector of Swiss excellence in Venice, and of further enriching the dense network of relations between Switzerland and Italy.
09.05.2025
—
Press releases
EDA
On Friday, 9 May 2025 in Geneva, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, and the Vice President of the Federal Council, Guy Parmelin, met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Prior to that, they met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.
08.05.2025
—
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has decided the FDFA will grant CHF 39 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), UN Women, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for 2025. By renewing these contributions, the FDFA is also sending out a strong signal in support of International Geneva.
07.05.2025
—
Press releases
EDA
On 7 May 2025 the FDFA published the Guidelines on Democracy, which set out objectives for democracy promotion and identify foreign policy instruments for strengthening democratic processes and institutions.
05.05.2025
—
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, today received the Hungarian foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, in Bern for an official working visit. The talks centred on bilateral relations, European policy and current geopolitical issues.
30.04.2025
—
Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council wants to contribute towards increasing the guarantee capital of the African Development Bank (AfDB). It is requesting Parliament to approve a guarantee credit of CHF 1.56 billion, as decided on 30 April. This would strengthen Switzerland's influence in the AfDB and help to further sustainable and inclusive economic development in Africa.
30.04.2025
—
Press releases
EDA
On 30 April 2025, the Federal Council took stock of the ongoing work on the Swiss–EU package. It decided to call an optional referendum on the agreements with the European Union (EU). In taking this decision, the Federal Council is signalling political continuity and coherence and giving Parliament and the cantons room for manoeuvre. Parliament will ultimately determine the nature of the referendum in the course of its deliberations.
25.04.2025
—
Press releases
EDA
Swiss NGOs help implement the Federal Councillor’s International Cooperation Strategy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with their expertise, knowledge of local contexts, and networks. For the 2025-2026 period, the SDC has earmarked core contributions totalling CHF 235 million for Switzerland’s contracting partners.
25.04.2025
—
Press releases
EDA
The head of Switzerland's Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis, visited the People's Republic of China on 24 and 25 April 2025. His visit marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Switzerland established official relations with China in 1950, making it one of the first European countries to do so. In addition to an official meeting with China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, Mr Cassis' visit focused on efforts to modernise the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries in order to improve market access for Swiss companies.
24.04.2025
—
Press releases
EDA
Uzbekistan's first modernised maternity units were officially inaugurated today. The units were updated through a project funded by assets belonging to Gulnara Karimova, which had been definitively confiscated in Switzerland and restituted to the population of Uzbekistan. The aim of the USD 43.5 million project, implemented by the UN, is to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates by strengthening the capacity of healthcare facilities and improving the monitoring and care of mothers-to-be, young mothers, and babies.
23.04.2025
—
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis conducted an official visit to Japan on 22 and 23 April 2025, leading the Swiss delegation at the World Expo in Osaka on Switzerland's National Day. In Tokyo, he held bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and representatives of Japan's commerce, science and education ministries as well as a meeting with IT giant NEC, which will be setting up a new centre in Zurich.
17.04.2025
—
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, will visit Japan and the People's Republic of China from 22 to 25 April. The aim of the trip is to strengthen political ties and promote Switzerland's economic interests with two key partners. In Japan, the focus will be on innovation, technology, trade and multilateral cooperation. In China, discussions will mainly cover bilateral relations, economic issues and current geopolitical questions.
25.09.2020 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met on 25 September 2020 with Liechtenstein's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture Katrin Eggenberger during an official visit to the Principality of Liechtenstein. The two foreign ministers discussed cross-border and bilateral relations as well as European and international issues. That evening, Mr Ignazio Cassis will give a speech on Swiss foreign policy to a group of business leaders. Mr Ignazio Cassis also met with H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein.
24.09.2020 —
Press releases
EDA
On 23 September, during the ministerial week of the United Nations General Assembly, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, outlined Switzerland’s priorities. This year’s event, which marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, is taking place via video link, owing to the ongoing pandemic.
14.09.2020 —
Press releases
EDA
On 14 september 2020, several political parties in Georgia have signed a code of conduct to promote peaceful elections and a fair election campaign. Switzerland encourages all political parties to sign this document. The code was facilitated by Georgia's Central Election Commission with Switzerland's support. The parliamentary elections scheduled for 31 October 2020 constitute an important milestone for democracy in the South Caucasus nation.
11.09.2020 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland is a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2023–24 period. At its meeting on 11 September 2020, the Federal Council took note of a report outlining ways for Parliament to be involved during Switzerland's Security Council membership. The proposed options take account of the constitutional division of powers and the Federal Council's ability to conduct foreign policy. The government report fulfils a postulate from the Council of States Foreign Affairs Committee.
11.09.2020 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland and Uzbekistan have signed a framework agreement with a view to the restitution of confiscated assets to Uzbekistan. The agreement relates on the one hand to assets of some USD 131 million already definitively confiscated in one of the criminal proceedings in connection with Gulnara Karimova, daughter of the former Uzbek president. On the other hand, it also relates to any further assets that may be definitively confiscated in the future under the still ongoing criminal proceedings. The agreement sets out the principles and stages for the restitution. The assets shall be used for the benefit of the people of Uzbekistan.
11.09.2020 —
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 11 September, the Federal Council decided on the quarantine rules for persons entering Switzerland from neighbouring countries: only those regions of neighbouring countries where the infection rate is over the limit will be added to the list of countries and areas with an increased rate of infection, not the entire country. Border regions may be exempted from inclusion on the list. In so doing, the Federal Council is responding to the rapid rise in infection numbers, while still taking account of the close interaction between Switzerland and neighbouring regions. The revised ordinance will come into force on 14 September. At the same time, the list of risk areas will be updated.
11.09.2020 —
Press releases
EDA
In summer, the Federal Council set the priorities for the UN General Assembly. At its meeting of 11 September 2020, it was informed about the Foreign Affairs Committees’ consultation. The priorities include one concerning global efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the opening of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly at the end of September will take place via video conference, with President of the Swiss Confederation Simonetta Sommaruga and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, representing Switzerland.
09.09.2020 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillors Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis welcomed the director general of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIDO, LI Yong, to Bern on Wednesday, 9 September 2020. The agenda for the official working visit includes the impact of the coronavirus crisis and the measures taken, as well as the ongoing reform of the United Nations.
08.09.2020 —
Press releases
EDA
A global pandemic does not only pose a threat to people. It is also a major obstacle for humanitarian aid. If protective equipment is not available, it is not possible to provide assistance on the ground. Swiss Humanitarian Aid is therefore donating three million face masks in response to this problem and in order to protect the people working on the front lines. The consignment was handed over to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday, 08 September 2020.
07.09.2020 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif during an official visit to Tehran. Their discussions focused on Switzerland's protecting power mandates and efforts to ensure the region's stability. As the two countries celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, they also discussed cooperation in the fields of trade, science and human rights. Mr Cassis underlined that Switzerland and Iran have a long-standing relationship based on trust.
04.09.2020 —
Press releases
EDA
Over the past month, 38 experts deployed by the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) have been working in the Lebanese capital to assist in the immediate aftermath of the explosion on 4 August 2020. They have examined the stability of damaged buildings, supported maternal and child health care in two hospitals and helped to repair 19 schools. Swiss Humanitarian Aid's rapid response mission comes to an end on 5 September, with further support measures entrusted to the Swiss cooperation office at the Swiss embassy in Beirut.
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.