Press releases

New FDFA strategy: Switzerland strengthens its commitment to gender equality and women's rights

08.09.2017 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland's commitment to promoting gender equality and realising women's rights is set to become broader and more coherent. With its first Gender Equality and Women's Rights Strategy the FDFA will implement a comprehensive instrument based on concrete measures. Realising gender equality means creating better prospects for everyone to the benefit of society as a whole. This foreign policy strategy is thus a contribution by Switzerland to achieving peace and security, human rights, sustainable development and prosperity throughout the world.

Switzerland to participate in the first impact investment in the humanitarian sector

08.09.2017 — Press releases EDA
The ICRC, with the support of Switzerland and other donor countries, is today launching an innovative model for financing humanitarian aid. The Programme for Humanitarian Impact Investments (PHII) is inspired by the concept of social impact bonds. This is a novel approach in the humanitarian field, with private investment helping to bring physical rehabilitation services to more people in need of such care. The PHII offers the ICRC a means to diversify and grow its funding base while limiting the financial risk incurred by public donors.

Conference on approaches to the Sustainable Development Goals in international cooperation

08.09.2017 — Press releases EDA
The fourth International Conference on Research for Development (ICRD), which is taking place at the University of Bern, has been under way since 5 September 2017 and lasts until 8 September. The theme of the conference is ‘Evidence. Engagement. Policies’, and some 300 participants from around the world are involved in discussions on opportunities, challenges and solutions in the context of global sustainable development. The conference was organised by the Swiss Programme for Research on Global Issues for Development – which is run by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) – and the Centre for Development and Environment of the University of Bern.

Switzerland's priorities at the 72nd UN General Assembly

06.09.2017 — Press releases EDA
Building peace and security, especially by stepping up mediation capacity and conflict prevention, and strengthening the role of human rights are just two of the foreign policy priorities that Switzerland aims to implement during the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly. President of the Swiss Confederation Doris Leuthard, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter and FDFA State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl will represent Switzerland in New York from 18 September 2017 during the high-level week that coincides with the opening of the UN General Assembly.

Switzerland condemns the nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

03.09.2017 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland condemns the latest nuclear test that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea claims to have conducted on 3 September 2017. This test violates the United Nations Security Council resolutions, constitutes a threat to peace and security in the region and undermines the efforts made by the international community to strengthen the global non-proliferation of nuclear weapons regime, especially those being made to implement the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

Sports diplomacy: 20 young Colombian athletes visit Switzerland

01.09.2017 — Press releases EDA
Twenty young Colombians are currently in Switzerland as part of a visit organised jointly by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The aim of the visit is to allow these young people – who come from a region mired in conflict – to learn more about training techniques while discovering popular Swiss sports, and to use sport to give them hope for a better life away from crime and violence.

Drought and high temperatures: Swiss helicopters deployed to fight forest fires in Portugal

24.08.2017 — Press releases EDA
Swiss Super Pumas and their crews have been fighting forest fires together with Portugal's Civil Protection Agency since 21 August 2017. Since the start of their mission, the helicopters have made about 172 sorties and dropped over 325 tons of water. Earlier today, the Swiss Armed Forces dispatched another team of pilots and mechanics to the Monte Real air base. The Swiss Humanitarian Aid rapid response team is coordinating efforts with the authorities on the ground. If weather forecasts are accurate and no unforeseen events occur, the Swiss mission will end on 28 August 2017. Swiss Humanitarian Aid has overall responsibility for this operation and is working closely with the Swiss Armed Forces.

Switzerland renews its commitment to fighting AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria

23.08.2017 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council has approved a budget of CHF 57 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) for the period from 2017 to 2019. As host country and one of the founding members, Switzerland has been an important partner for the Global Fund since it was created in 2002. Over the past 15 years, the Global Fund has helped save millions of lives and made great strides in combating these diseases. As ongoing pandemics, however, they still pose a major public health problem in middle and low-income countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, millions of deaths could still be avoided each year.

«Mit vereinten Kräften gegen das Leid in der Welt»

19.08.2017 — Article EDA

Beitrag von Bundesrat Didier Burkhalter zum Welttag der Humanitären Hilfe am 19. August 2017.

Fires in Portugal: Switzerland sends helicopters to help tackle blazes

19.08.2017 — Press releases EDA
Wildfires are currently raging across several regions of Portugal. Responding to a call for assistance by Portuguese authorities, Switzerland is dispatching three helicopters and crews to help contain the fires.

Mudslides in Sierra Leone: Switzerland provides CHF 400,000 in emergency funding

18.08.2017 — Press releases EDA
Devastating mudslides have hit Sierra Leone, burying many homes in the capital Freetown. Switzerland is providing CHF 400,000 to support relief operations and to combat the spread of diseases such as cholera.

Linking of the Swiss and European emissions trading systems: big step forward

16.08.2017 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland and the European Union are preparing to link their emissions trading systems. The Federal Council approved the signing of the corresponding agreement at its meeting of 16 August 2017. The European Commission has also adopted proposals for the signature and ratification of the agreement and has submitted them to the Council of the European Union for approval. The agreement could be signed before the end of this year. Its ratification must then be approved by the Swiss and European parliaments.

UN Sustainable Development Goals: Switzerland calls on all stakeholders to step up cooperation

18.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
This year's High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is taking place from 14 to 23 July 2025 at the UN headquarters in New York. The Swiss delegation is being led by Markus Reubi, the Federal Council Delegate for the 2030 Agenda at the FDFA and will focus on economic growth and decent work.

State Secretary for Security Policy to travel to Chisinau for security policy dialogue with Moldova

17.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Markus Mäder, State Secretary for Security Policy, will hold talks on current security policy developments and bilateral cooperation with his counterparts in Chisinau (Moldova) from 17 to 18 July.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Conference: global security and bilateral relations at centre of talks

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 10 and 11 July, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Malaysia. His participation underlines South East Asia's growing economic importance to Switzerland. Mr Cassis used the platform to discuss economic ties, bilateral relations and global challenges with his counterparts from Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore. For the first time, he also met the new Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand on the margins of the conference.

Victims of National Socialism: Call for proposals to design the memorial in Bern

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
In April 2023, the Federal Council decided to establish a memorial in the centre of Bern for the victims of National Socialism. The Federal Council considers it vital to keep alive the memory of the consequences of National Socialism, as well as the fate of the six million Jews and all other victims of the Nazi regime. On the recommendation of the communal parliament of the City of Bern, the Casinoterrasse near the Federal Parliament was selected as the location for the site of remembrance. A call is now being organised to gather proposals for the its creation from multidisciplinary teams in the fields of art, architecture and history.

Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to reconstruction at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) has been held since 2022 to coordinate reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. At this year's conference, which took place in Rome from 10 to 11 July, the head of the Swiss delegation, Jacques Gerber, signed an international treaty with Ukraine. This forms the legal basis for increased cooperation with the Swiss private sector in reconstruction. Projects in the areas of health, education and war risk insurance were also approved.

Strengthening economic ties is focus of talks by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in Nepal and Bhutan

09.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visited Nepal and Bhutan during his week-long trip to Asia from 7 to 9 July. The official talks with government representatives centred on bilateral relations and opportunities for deeper economic cooperation.

Les droits des femmes et la non-discrimination au cœur du travail de la Suisse pendant la 59e session du Conseil des droits de l’homme.

08.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Dans un contexte global marqué par le recul de l’Etat de droit, la Suisse travaille avec détermination en faveur des droits de l’homme. Pour cette 59ème session du Conseil des droits de l’homme (CDH) des Nations Unies, un accent particulier a été placé sur la promotion des droits des femmes et de l’égalité de genre, ainsi que sur les droits des personnes LGBT. La session, qui s'est clôturée aujourd’hui après trois semaines et demie de débats, a été marquée par une adaptation du travail imposée par les restrictions budgétaires affectant l’ensemble du système onusien.

Switzerland reopens its embassy in Iran – ambassador returns to Tehran

06.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
As of today, 6 July 2025, the Swiss embassy in Tehran is open again after having temporarily closed on 20 June due to the unstable situation in Iran. Ambassador Nadine Olivieri Lozano and a small team returned to Tehran yesterday overland via Azerbaijan. The embassy will gradually resume operations.

Ignazio Cassis in Asia for ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and bilateral talks

03.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, will be travelling to Asia from 7 to 13 July 2025. He will attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. His participation highlights the growing economic and geopolitical importance of the South East Asian states. Official working visits to Nepal, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore are also planned around the conference.

Presentation of credentials

02.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present their credentials

FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel in Germany for political consultations

01.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Alexandre Fasel, the state secretary of the FDFA, was in Berlin on 1 July 2025 to hold political consultations with his German counterpart, the state secretary of the Federal Foreign Office, Géza Andreas von Geyr. Talks focused on current geopolitical developments, bilateral issues and the opening of the consultation procedure in Switzerland on the agreements in the new Swiss-EU package. Mr Fasel also met with the state secretary of Germany's Federal Chancellery, Jörg Semmler.

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).

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.