At the beginning of every year, the Federal Council publishes the foreign policy report, in which it summarises and reviews the key foreign policy events of the past 12 months. 2019 saw polarising movements like Fridays for Future and the mass protests in Hong Kong, while the rivalry between major global players such as the United States, China and Russia intensified. How was Switzerland able to assert itself against this backdrop?

The United Kingdom officially left the EU on 31 January 2020. Swiss–UK relations remain unchanged for the time being. This is because there is a transition period until at least the end of 2020, during which the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU continue to apply to Swiss–UK relations. Switzerland has already laid the basis for Swiss–UK relations after the transition period, however.

This was the visionary agenda of the 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing, 25 years ago. But the many challenges highlighted back then continue to be relevant today. The UN Commission on the Status of Women is currently conducting a review at its 64th session in New York – in a reduced format because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Switzerland is taking an active part. Read on for an overview of its work to promote gender equality and women's rights.

Peace and security, prosperity, sustainability, and digitalisation are the foreign policy priorities for the next four years. At its meeting on 29 January, the Federal Council approved Switzerland's foreign policy strategy for the next four years. The strategy also defines clear regional objectives worldwide, with a special focus on the EU, and new objectives for the external network and foreign policy communication.

Today, almost all domestic policy issues have an international dimension. In a world with widening global imbalances, Switzerland must position itself clearly in order to protect its interests and values. With its 2020–23 foreign policy strategy, adopted by the Federal Council on 29 January, Switzerland has the means to steer its course effectively. State Secretary a.i. Krystyna Marty plays a key role in implementing the strategy. Interview.

Peace and security, prosperity, sustainability, and digitalisation are the foreign policy priorities for the next four years. At its meeting on 29 January, the Federal Council approved Switzerland's foreign policy strategy for the next four years. The strategy also defines clear regional objectives worldwide, with a special focus on the EU, and new objectives for the external network and foreign policy communication.

In an interview with "Schaffhauser Nachrichten", Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis talks about how Switzerland is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and the difficult path back to normality. He also said that various foreign policy issues needed to be assessed.

Many Swiss nationals travelling abroad ask the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA for recommendations and advice on their return journey. A list of questions and answers.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not only affecting everyone's ability to travel from one country to another by rail and road, but also by air. Tens of thousands of Swiss tourists and business travellers are stranded abroad because of travel restrictions. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has launched a major repatriation operation with Swiss, Edelweiss and Helvetic. With the FDFA's support, these experienced partners are organising special charter flights, breaking new ground and rising to new challenges.

The global COVID-19 pandemic is now affecting the day-to-day work of everyone at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

The coronavirus is also spreading in developing countries, and the impact on them is especially severe. In the spirit of solidarity, Switzerland is responding quickly and effectively to the latest challenges through its international cooperation. It has already taken measures in a number of countries to alleviate the economic and social effects of the pandemic and has so far contributed CHF 101.42 million to the global response to COVID-19. On 29 April 2020, the Federal Council has decided that Switzerland will provide CHF 400 million to support international relief efforts in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in developing countries.

LEAD The UN has declared 24 April as the International Day of Multilateralism. The occasion serves as an important reminder that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and building a safer, fairer world require everyone to work together. Switzerland is a firm presence in the international arena and, through International Geneva, provides a platform for multilateral action. It is also actively engaged in the multilateral response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes World Bank efforts.

On 25 April 2015, a powerful earthquake damaged or destroyed hundreds of thousands of buildings, healthcare facilities, roads and bridges in Nepal. It also claimed the lives of around 9,000 people. Switzerland, which has maintained an active presence in Nepal for decades, responded immediately to the disaster by providing emergency aid and has since been supporting reconstruction efforts. The work in Nepal serves as an example of successful interaction between various types of support provided by Switzerland and, more specifically, by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Culture promotion is a vital component of Swiss development assistance. Switzerland supports an array of initiatives promoting artistic expression in its partner regions. In North Africa, as in other difficult contexts, culture has a tremendous power to open up dialogue.