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.
16.09.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On 17 and 18 October 2024, the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) will be held at the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne. The aim of the conference, which is being co-organised with Ukraine, is to highlight the critical importance of humanitarian demining as part of the country's social and economic recovery. The conference by Lake Geneva will bring together representatives from governments, international organisations, humanitarian demining and civil society.
13.09.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 13 September 2024, the Federal Council was briefed on the outcome of the consultation of the foreign affairs committees in the run-up to the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to New York where they will represent Switzerland during the high-level opening week of the 79th UN General Assembly from 22 to 25 September 2024.
12.09.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland is offering assistance to Vietnam, the South East Asian country devastated by Typhoon Yagi. Today, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is deploying six specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit to Vietnam. The SDC has also made available 1 million Swiss francs to assist the affected population.
06.09.2024
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Press releases
EDA
A trilateral meeting between Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, and the State Councils of Ticino and Graubünden took place today in Schwyz, as part of the regular policy dialogue established with the two Cantons of Italian- and Romansch-speaking Switzerland. Mr Cassis chose a symbolic location, in the heart of Switzerland, for this exchange. Discussions focused on topics of common interest, in particular cross-border relations and the promotion of multilingualism, as well as on the situation in the Mesolcina and Alta Vallemaggia, where the weather caused major damage this summer.
04.09.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Bern, 04.09.2024 – At its meeting on 4 September 2024, the Federal Council appointed Marianne Jenni as the new director general of the FDFA's Consular Directorate (CD). Marianne Jenni, currently serving as the Swiss ambassador to Ecuador, will assume her new post on 1 January 2025. She succeeds David Grichting, who was appointed director general of the FDFA's Directorate for Resources in early June 2024.
04.09.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Bern, 04.09.2024 – At its meeting on 4 September 2024, the Federal Council appointed Jacques Gerber to act as Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine. Mr Gerber, who is currently councillor of state for the canton of Jura, will carry out preparatory work for and manage the Federal Council's consolidated 'Ukraine country programme'. The 51-year-old will take up his new post on 1 January 2025.
03.09.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland reopened its embassy in Iraq today, 33 years after closing its previous representation due to the 1991 Gulf War. By reopening the embassy, the Federal Council aims to strengthen bilateral relations with the populous country and deepen cooperation in economic, security and migration matters. This move also fulfils an objective of the Federal Council's MENA Strategy 2021–24.
26.08.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis was in Geneva on Monday to mark the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. After opening a panel discussion in the presence of the members of the Security Council invited to the United Nations’ Geneva headquarters, the Federal Councillor took part in a symbolic moment on the Place des Nations. Ignazio Cassis called on States and all international actors to renew their commitment to international humanitarian law and to make the Geneva Conventions a political priority.
23.08.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Civil war has been raging in Sudan since April 2023, ravaging the civilian population and spawning one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. As part of its good offices, Switzerland is providing a platform for diplomatic talks on a way out of the crisis.
20.08.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At Switzerland's invitation, members of the UN Security Council will visit Geneva on 25 and 26 August 2024. On 26 August, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will participate in an exchange between the members of the Security Council together with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone, currently President of the Council, which will focus on respecting and strengthening international humanitarian law 75 years after the adoption of the Geneva Conventions. The visit will also showcase the expertise of International Geneva in the prevention of emerging threats to peace and security.
12.08.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani paid an official visit to Switzerland today, where he met with the head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. On the Brissago Islands, they discussed bilateral relations and international affairs. The two ministers then attended the traditional Diplomacy Day, an event promoted by the Locarno Film Festival, which this year enjoys the support of the Italian embassy in Switzerland.
16.09.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
On 17 and 18 October 2024, the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) will be held at the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne. The aim of the conference, which is being co-organised with Ukraine, is to highlight the critical importance of humanitarian demining as part of the country's social and economic recovery. The conference by Lake Geneva will bring together representatives from governments, international organisations, humanitarian demining and civil society.
13.09.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 13 September 2024, the Federal Council was briefed on the outcome of the consultation of the foreign affairs committees in the run-up to the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to New York where they will represent Switzerland during the high-level opening week of the 79th UN General Assembly from 22 to 25 September 2024.
12.09.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland is offering assistance to Vietnam, the South East Asian country devastated by Typhoon Yagi. Today, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is deploying six specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit to Vietnam. The SDC has also made available 1 million Swiss francs to assist the affected population.
06.09.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
A trilateral meeting between Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, and the State Councils of Ticino and Graubünden took place today in Schwyz, as part of the regular policy dialogue established with the two Cantons of Italian- and Romansch-speaking Switzerland. Mr Cassis chose a symbolic location, in the heart of Switzerland, for this exchange. Discussions focused on topics of common interest, in particular cross-border relations and the promotion of multilingualism, as well as on the situation in the Mesolcina and Alta Vallemaggia, where the weather caused major damage this summer.
04.09.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Bern, 04.09.2024 – At its meeting on 4 September 2024, the Federal Council appointed Marianne Jenni as the new director general of the FDFA's Consular Directorate (CD). Marianne Jenni, currently serving as the Swiss ambassador to Ecuador, will assume her new post on 1 January 2025. She succeeds David Grichting, who was appointed director general of the FDFA's Directorate for Resources in early June 2024.
04.09.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Bern, 04.09.2024 – At its meeting on 4 September 2024, the Federal Council appointed Jacques Gerber to act as Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine. Mr Gerber, who is currently councillor of state for the canton of Jura, will carry out preparatory work for and manage the Federal Council's consolidated 'Ukraine country programme'. The 51-year-old will take up his new post on 1 January 2025.
03.09.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland reopened its embassy in Iraq today, 33 years after closing its previous representation due to the 1991 Gulf War. By reopening the embassy, the Federal Council aims to strengthen bilateral relations with the populous country and deepen cooperation in economic, security and migration matters. This move also fulfils an objective of the Federal Council's MENA Strategy 2021–24.
26.08.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis was in Geneva on Monday to mark the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. After opening a panel discussion in the presence of the members of the Security Council invited to the United Nations’ Geneva headquarters, the Federal Councillor took part in a symbolic moment on the Place des Nations. Ignazio Cassis called on States and all international actors to renew their commitment to international humanitarian law and to make the Geneva Conventions a political priority.
23.08.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Civil war has been raging in Sudan since April 2023, ravaging the civilian population and spawning one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. As part of its good offices, Switzerland is providing a platform for diplomatic talks on a way out of the crisis.
20.08.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
At Switzerland's invitation, members of the UN Security Council will visit Geneva on 25 and 26 August 2024. On 26 August, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will participate in an exchange between the members of the Security Council together with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone, currently President of the Council, which will focus on respecting and strengthening international humanitarian law 75 years after the adoption of the Geneva Conventions. The visit will also showcase the expertise of International Geneva in the prevention of emerging threats to peace and security.
12.08.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani paid an official visit to Switzerland today, where he met with the head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. On the Brissago Islands, they discussed bilateral relations and international affairs. The two ministers then attended the traditional Diplomacy Day, an event promoted by the Locarno Film Festival, which this year enjoys the support of the Italian embassy in Switzerland.
Every single minute a child dies of malaria. Committed to combatting malaria, the SDC concentrates its efforts on disease prevention and access to health care. Within the space of five years (2007-2012), a SDC-funded mosquito net programme has helped to slash the child mortality rate in Tanzania by 44%. Furthermore, a photo contest shows how people can protect themselves from malaria and how mosquito nets have become a key weapon in the global fight against the disease.
«The world needs a binding frame of reference for sustainable development»
On 5 April 2013, the countdown for the Millennium Development Goals begins, signalling 1000 days until the final deadline expires in 2015. What will happen after that? This is a question that is already the focus of intense interest amongst the international community, and Michael Gerber is actively engaged in the process of finding a new development framework. As Special Representative for Global Sustainable Development Post-2015 and a member of the SDC, he is formulating Switzerland’s position and will also represent it in international bodies. We asked him what goals the international community and Switzerland have set.
The SDC’s new cooperation programme in Cambodia focuses on local governance and citizens’ participation, vocational training and employment, agriculture and food security. The programme is part of a new cooperation strategy for the Mekong region (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia) for 2013–2017.
Arab states are often confronted with natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, and floods that cause severe damages and affect a great number of victims. These phenomena have highlighted the increasing vulnerability of cities in the Middle East and Northern Africa. To address this issue, representatives of Arab states and development agencies are gathering in Aqaba, Jordan, for the first regional conference on disaster and risk reduction in the Arab region. SDC is co-organizing this event together with Jordanian authorities and United Nations (UN) partners.
«Today’s conflicts differ dramatically from what Dunant witnessed»
To protect the lives and dignity of the victims of armed conflict: Even today, 150 years after it was founded, this still remains the mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Switzerland is not only the country where the ICRC has its headquarters; it is also its second-largest donor. The ICRC is the most important international partner of Swiss humanitarian aid. How do these humanitarian agencies work together? To mark the occasion of the ICRC’s 150th jubilee, this question and others are answered here by the Swiss Delegate for humanitarian aid.
Improving market access for small Andean farmers and making more out of the biodiversity of their crops – that is the basic challenge underlying the Papa Andina regional project, launched in 1998 by the SDC and the International Potato Center (CIP). This innovative and sustainable solution won a prize announced on the occasion of the Second Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development held in 2012 in Uruguay.
To mark International Mountain Day on 11 December 2012, the World Mountain Forum (WMF) has organised a meeting in Verbier on the theme: «Water and Energy». Specialists from Switzerland and abroad will discuss questions concerning the impact of climate change on these key sectors as well as the subject of public-private partnerships. The Carafe Initiative, launched within the framework of the WMF in 2011 in support of the Blue Schools project, will also be presented at this meeting.
Burkina Faso is re-electing its legislative authorities on 2 December 2012, when around 8 million voters will be going to the polls. At the request of the authorities of Burkina Faso, several countries, including Switzerland, are supporting the organisation of these elections, which for the first time will combine voting at the municipal, regional and legislative levels. This process constitutes a test of stability for Burkina Faso and represents a major step in the process of democratisation, the rule of law and local governance.
From 17 to 20 November, and SDC delegation led by SDC Director Martin Dahinden visited two countries in East Africa. In Ethiopia, together with representatives of the World Food Programme (WFP), it assessed projects for improving food security. In Kenya the agenda included discussions with representatives of the government and partner organizations concerning Somalia and Kenya, as well as visits to projects financed by the SDC.
Conférence, débats et musique contre la discrimination des personnes vivant avec le VIH/sida: 14.11.2012 Zurich
«Lutter contre la stigmatisation et la discrimination, ici et ailleurs, à l’encontre des personnes vivant avec le VIH/sida!». Telle est la thématique qui a été discutée lors d’une manifestion organisée à l’occasion de la Journée mondiale de lutte contre le sida à laquelle ont participé le conseiller fédéral Alain Berset et Jean-Claude Mignon, président du Conseil de l’Europe.
Interview with Manuel Bessler, Humanitarian Aid Delegate of the Swiss Confederation
Since the outbreak of the conflict in March 2011, the humanitarian situation in Syria has continued to deteriorate. The violent confrontations are causing severe suffering in the civilian population; there are shortages of medical care, food, and water. More than 300,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries. We asked Manuel Bessler, Humanitarian Aid Delegate of the Swiss Confederation, about the support being provided by humanitarian aid actors in the field.
A two-day conference is being held in Geneva at the end of October with the objective of mobilizing financial and political support for peace-building in Burundi. One of the representatives of Switzerland at this conference will be Paul Seger, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the UN in New York. As Chair of the so-called Configuration on Burundi, Ambassador Seger is vested with a key role in the consolidation of peace in Burundi.