The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) was set up in 1998 on the initiative of Switzerland, which has supported it financially ever since. Active in some forty countries, it transfers its expertise to mine-affected countries to help them in the fight against landmines. In Ukraine, the GICHD is helping to identify and plan humanitarian demining operations, explains its director, Stefano Toscano. Interview.

The Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) is a key component of Switzerland's international cooperation. Founded half a century ago, it now counts some 550 specialists, who can be deployed anywhere in the world to provide assistance in the event of natural disasters or other crises. Discover through pictures and videos some of the programmes and operations that have marked the history of the SHA.

Following the search for survivors by Swiss Rescue in Turkey, the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit of the FDFA has entered a second phase of support. Experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit, including doctors and engineers, are now on the spot to continue helping the Turkish and Syrian population. Relief supplies have also been transported to the affected areas.

Mosaic Hospital in the centre of the Turkish city of Antakya was short of staff after the earthquakes in February 2023. Four specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) stepped in and provided counselling for children and parents. Doctor Céline Ritter Schenk was a member of the team.

Switzerland has a long-standing commitment to stability in the Western Balkans and, through its international cooperation work, supports a wide range of projects covering vocational education and training, the promotion of dialogue, dealing with the past and waste management. FDFA State Secretary Livia Leu is travelling to Kosovo and Serbia at the end of June 2022 at a time when the impact of the war in Ukraine on the Western Balkans is still unclear.

Switzerland and Ukraine intend to use the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano on 4 and 5 July as a springboard for a broad-based political and diplomatic process that sets out a path to reconstruction for Ukraine. Around 40 states and 20 international organisations have been invited to the conference.

In line with the Framework Agreement signed in September 2020 and in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Switzerland and Uzbekistan are negotiating a restitution agreement for the return of assets definitively forfeited in criminal proceedings in connection with Ms. Gulnara Karimova. These assets will be returned for the benefit of the population of Uzbekistan through a new United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund (the Fund) once the details of the mechanism have been agreed upon and a legally binding restitution agreement has been signed.

This year, Switzerland celebrates 100 years of its diplomatic presence in the Kingdom of Morocco. It all began with the opening of the first representation in Casablanca. A century later, relations have expanded considerably and are very wide-ranging. Morocco is a major partner in the implementation of the Federal Council's Middle East and North Africa (MENA) strategy. This anniversary highlights the strong ties that bind the two countries.

Representatives of 193 states sitting in a vast hall debating. Does that sound boring? Perhaps, but the UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the only place where all states gather on an equal footing to seek and find solutions to the world's most pressing problems. Thomas Gürber, deputy state secretary of the FDFA and head of the UN Division, shares his thoughts about Switzerland's role in the UN General Assembly.

Enhancing the effectiveness of the UN Security Council. This is one of the four priorities of Switzerlands 2023-2024 Council membership. It is the sixth time, the current and newly elected non-permanent members met. This year, the exchange took place in Switzerland. The focus was on knowledge transfer, networking and continuity in the Council's work. The aim is to promote the effectiveness, transparency and impact of the Security Council.

“A plus for peace” – this was the slogan of Switzerland’s candidacy for the United Nations Security Council. The first ever Swiss presidency of the Council last May was a great opportunity to put this into practice. In a tense geopolitical context, Switzerland chaired over 25 formal meetings and made use of its bridge-building skills. And although the presidency is mostly an organisational role – similar to that of a master of ceremonies – its holders can add color to the Council’s agenda. Switzerland did so by dedicating the month of May to trust and the protection of civilians.

As every year, from 22 to 25 May, a week at the UN in New York will be devoted to the protection of civilians. This is also one of Switzerland's thematic priorities for its membership of the UN Security Council. Find out how Switzerland is working in this area at the multilateral level and directly on the ground in conflict areas.

The number of Swiss nationals living abroad has passed the 800,000 mark. The number of Swiss nationals living abroad continued to grow in 2022, but fewer and fewer are choosing to live in Central or Southern Africa. Gianni Zezza, 66, is among those with a strong personal stake in the region. Like many Swiss people, he decided to emigrate and settle down in another country.

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.

At the end of 2021, more than one in ten Swiss nationals were living abroad – some 788,000 in total. The share of the Swiss population living abroad increased by 1.5% compared to 2020. Almost two-thirds were living in Europe. A few countries experienced significant increases. Below are the main findings of the Federal Statistical Office's statistics for 2021 on the Swiss abroad, published at the end of March.

You've got your hotel room with sea view sorted. But unwelcome surprises frequently crop up during a trip. To take the stress out of travel, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) recommends that you download the Travel Admin app, register, and enter your trips abroad before leaving for your holiday. The free app provides useful information, tips and checklists so that you may carefully plan your trip; what's more, it can prove to be an essential tool offering assistance in the event of an emergency.

"I unleash the potential of young people from the slums," explains Gianmarco Marinello, the driving force behind professionally organised city tours of Nairobi. At the International Cooperation Forum Switzerland in Geneva at the end of March, the SDC and SECO will award the 'Together we're better' prize for projects like this one in Kenya. The more than 60 projects are an impressive testament to the inventiveness of young people in development cooperation.

During his trip to the West African country of Niger with National Council President Irène Kälin and ICRC President Peter Maurer, President Ignazio Cassis stopped in the city of Agadez, among other places. The large region is marked by a migration crisis because it is situated on the transit route for refugees and people seeking protection in Europe. The Swiss delegation visited a migration centre in Agadez and a project financed by the ICRC to support people with disabilities.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs are announcing the second edition of the Swiss Youth and Future Prize. The 'Together we're better' competition is asking young people up to age 35 to submit projects that promote sustainable development and help fight poverty in the Global South. Another goal of the competition is to offer young people the opportunity to become involved in international cooperation work.

Carl Emery (52), an officer in Geneva's cantonal police force, has been working on his first mission in Africa since October 2020. He is a member of the FDFA's Swiss Expert Pool for Civilian Peacebuilding and runs projects that aim to reform Mali's national security institutions. The programme is in keeping with the commitment to multilateral peace efforts emphasised by Ignazio Cassis on his visit to the country at the beginning of February. Read on for a first-hand account.

On 28 February 2022, the Federal Council decided to join the EU sanctions against Russia. Questions and answers regarding Switzerland's neutrality in view of this decision.

The FDFA has been supporting the Middle East Mediterranean Summer Summit organised by the Università della Svizzera italiana for five years. The summit brings together young people from the Middle East, North Africa and Mediterranean Europe. And the dialogue resonates far beyond Lugano: listening to the younger generation is key to implementing a foreign policy that reflects the challenges in this region. Ambassador Maya Tissafi explains.

Armed conflicts increases the use of terms that are closely related to international humanitarian law, such as the Geneva Conventions and war crimes. International humanitarian law, also known as the law of armed conflict or the law of war (ius in bello), applies only in armed conflicts and has two functions: it regulates the conduct of hostilities on the one hand and protects the victims of armed conflicts on the other. Q&As.

On 4 and 5 July, the city of Lugano will host the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2022), bringing together representatives of states and international organisations committed to supporting Ukraine's recovery. Four people from Italian-speaking Switzerland voice their thoughts on the importance of this conference and their own contribution to peace. Solidarity, dialogue and exchange are the key words here.

5 May is Europe Day – in memory of the founding of the Council of Europe on 5 May 1949, when Europe lay in ruins. Since then, the Council of Europe has promoted human rights, the rule of law and democracy. In the face of war, these values are of particular importance, writes President Ignazio Cassis in his message for this year's Europe Day.

President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Leendert Verbeek, visited Switzerland between 30 April and 3 May. The aim of the visit was to present Swiss federalism in situ. Are there any experiences from his visit that he could now apply profitably in the Netherlands and in the Congress? He answers our questions.

President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Leendert Verbeek, is visiting Switzerland between 30 April and 3 May. The aim of the visit is to present Swiss federalism in situ. David Eray, president of the Cantonal Council of Jura and head of the Swiss delegation to the Congress, is accompanying Mr Verbeek on his trip, which will also include a visit to the Landsgemeinde in Glarus. Interview.

Current foreign policy issues are being discussed at the Ambassadors' and Foreign Network Conference from 23 to 26 August 2021 in Bern. The topics range from cyber security to equal opportunities and also include European policy. In this context, it is interesting to take a look at other countries that, like Switzerland, do not belong to the EU and have chosen their own paths in bilateral relations – such as the United Kingdom and Norway.

Private military and security companies must train their personnel in international humanitarian law and human rights and subject them to a security check. These and other recommendations are set out in the Montreux Document, which has provided states with guidelines for their dealings with private military and security companies for 15 years. Drawn up on the initiative of Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Montreux Document represents the consensus of the 58 participating states that international law also applies to private military and security companies.

Switzerland is concerned about the developments in Niger and condemns the seizure of power by the armed forces. It calls for dialogue, respect for human rights and the return to constitutional order. Due to the alarming developments the expatriate staff of the Cooperation Office of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) left Niger temporarily. As soon as the situation allows, they will return to Niger. Switzerland continues to support the people of Niger particularly through humanitarian aid. It is adapting its activities in the field of development cooperation, in line with the situation.

Switzerland's support for Ukraine takes many forms: humanitarian aid in the east and south of the country, continuing projects to promote good governance and decentralisation, as well as humanitarian demining. And beyond the immediate needs, the country's reconstruction process is being shaped. The new Swiss ambassador to Ukraine and Moldova, Félix Baumann, is continuing this commitment in Kiev. In a video interview, he explains the priorities and tasks of his new role.

The 17th instalment of the human rights dialogue with China was held on 3 and 4 July in Switzerland. Switzerland remains firmly committed to the universal protection of human rights in China and throughout the world. A brief overview of the recent meeting and the instruments of Switzerland's human rights diplomacy.

At its meeting on 28 June 2023, the Federal Council appointed Ambassador Alexandre Fasel as the next state secretary of the FDFA. The former Swiss ambassador to the United Kingdom, whose most recent post was that of special representative for science diplomacy in Geneva, succeeds Livia Leu at the helm of the State Secretariat. Fasel will take up his new post on 1 September 2023. Leu will move to Berlin to serve as the next Swiss ambassador to Germany.

Lake Constance, Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne – Switzerland has many lakes. But as a landlocked nation, surrounded by five other countries in the centre of Europe, it has no direct access to the sea. On 2 June 2023, the Federal Council adopted Switzerland’s Maritime Strategy 2023–27. The sustainability of marine ecosystems, the maritime economy and Swiss-flagged shipping are all important issues for Switzerland. Here’s why.

In northern Kosovo, tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have increased in recent days. Pictures of Serbian army convoys are fuelling fears that the violence will escalate further. On behalf of the UN Security Council, the Kosovo Force (KFOR) has been present in the region since 1999 to ensure a peaceful and secure environment. Within the framework of military peacebuilding, Switzerland is also deployed in the KFOR mission with the SWISSCOY. Switzerland also supports efforts to normalise relations between Serbia and Kosovo with other instruments.

Meet Séverine Weber and Andrea Inglin. To follow their careers, which have taken them around the world, we're going to need a map and a geography lesson. In fact, that's exactly what it means to be a member of the FDFA's transferable staff: moving to a new post every three to four years. The competitive selection process (concours) for a career in one of the department's three areas abroad – diplomacy, consular affairs, management and finance (KBF), or international cooperation – is starting on 26 May. If you're interested in the last one, here's what you need to know.

The global power structure is in flux. New technologies and the nature of conflict are changing radically. This is highlighted by the crisis in Ukraine and unresolved issues concerning Europe's security architecture. In the Federal Council's Arms Control and Disarmament Strategy, President of the Confederation Ignazio Cassis indicates that Switzerland wishes to continue tried-and-tested approaches while also adopting innovative new ones. This contributes to greater security and strengthens Switzerland’s role.

The priorities of Switzerland’s action plan for 2022–25 are to develop a dialogue process with a view to an anniversary summit in Helsinki in 2025, to consolidate the foundations of the OSCE, strengthen arms control and increase mediation capabilities in conflict situations. We interviewed Thomas Greminger, former secretary general of the OSCE.

As Switzerland presides over the Second Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the time is right to give voice to victims.

Switzerland fights vigorously against cluster munitions. Unfortunately, these weapons, which cause significant humanitarian damage, are still in use today. Like some hundred other states parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, Switzerland is committed to halting their proliferation and promotes the universalisation of the Convention.

Xavier Mertz was the first Swiss polar explorer to set foot in Antarctica in 1911, but his drive to explore the region came at a bitter price. Although polar exploration today is less dramatic, it is even more urgent than ever before. To mark Swiss Polar Day, the head of the FDFA's Prosperity and Sustainability Division, Stefan Estermann, talks about the role Swiss polar research has to play and how Switzerland is stepping up its commitment to scientific diplomacy.

The establishment of CERN in Geneva in 1954 played its own part in the reconstruction of post-Second World War Europe. The man behind the initiative was Professor Herwig Schopper. Now, at the age of 97, this wise man is still a champion of peace and scientific development and is working on the creation of new institutes in different strategic regions of the world.

New technologies are becoming increasingly important to foreign policy: what opportunities does digitalisation bring and which aspects need to be regulated? International Geneva provides a platform for Switzerland in promoting dialogue between the scientific and diplomatic communities. The Federal Council seeks to strengthen Geneva's role as a digital governance hub and has now appointed Ambassador Alexandre Fasel as the first special representative for science diplomacy in Geneva.

The FDFA supports the ETH Zurich in the production of affordable ventilators in the Ukraine. On June 30, 2020, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and the Ukrainian Ambassador to Switzerland, Artem Rybchenko, signed an agreement to provide start-up funding for an ETH project that will make such ventilators affordable for newly industrialized (NIC) and developing countries.

COVID-19 has an impact on our lives in Switzerland and abroad. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) summarises the most important information regarding travelling and living abroad in its COVID-19 news ticker. The information is constantly being added to.

In this guest article for the NZZ, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis takes his own look back at an extraordinary year – a whirlwind 12 months that left little time for reflection amid ever-changing case numbers. Cassis addresses a number of questions. Who decides how much a human life is worth? How important are open borders? And how will we make sense of it all whenever normality returns?

On Monday evening, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis was a guest on the programme "60 Minuti" on RSI. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) spoke about the importance of federalism in Switzerland and the measures adopted by the Federal Council to combat the COVID 19 pandemic. Among other things, personal responsibility and mutual solidarity are decisive factors in the fight against the pandemic.

Poor sanitary conditions pose a health risk. This is a major problem, particularly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But even today, one third of the world's population has no adequate access to clean water. To help people living poverty protect themselves during the current pandemic, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is supporting hygiene awareness campaigns and the creation of more handwashing stations.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) monitors the political and social situation abroad and issues specific position statements. The FDFA's positions are guided by the objectives, and priorities of Swiss foreign policy as set out, for example, in the Federal Constitution, the Federal Council's foreign policy strategy, and other thematic and geographical strategies.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) monitors the political and social situation abroad and issues specific position statements. The FDFA's positions are guided by the objectives, and priorities of Swiss foreign policy as set out, for example, in the Federal Constitution, the Federal Council's foreign policy strategy, and other thematic and geographical strategies.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) monitors the political and social situation abroad and issues specific position statements. The FDFA's positions are guided by the objectives, and priorities of Swiss foreign policy as set out, for example, in the Federal Constitution, the Federal Council's foreign policy strategy, and other thematic and geographical strategies.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) monitors the political and social situation abroad and issues specific position statements. The FDFA's positions are guided by the objectives, and priorities of Swiss foreign policy as set out, for example, in the Federal Constitution, the Federal Council's foreign policy strategy, and other thematic and geographical strategies.