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.
24.01.2014
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Press releases
EDA
The 732,183 Swiss citizens living abroad, a group also referred to as the Fifth Switzerland, corresponds in population to the canton of Vaud, Switzerland's third-largest canton. This finding comes from the annual statistics on the Swiss Abroad published by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), in which all Swiss citizens registered at a Swiss representation abroad are entered.
23.01.2014
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation join forces to improve access to health interventions through the strengthening of regulatory systems
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve and accelerate access to health interventions and therapeutic products in resource-constraint countries. This should be achieved by coordinating and leveraging resources in a cooperation for the purpose of strengthening regulatory systems in these countries in order to bring quality life-saving medicines to patients as quickly as possible.
22.01.2014
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Press releases
EDA
The Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP) was created to close knowledge gaps in green growth strategies and practice to help countries implement green growth policy. The Geneva office of the GGKP officially opened its doors on 22 January 2014.
21.01.2014
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Press releases
EDA
President of the Confederation Didier Burkhalter and Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf received Austrian Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann on 21 January 2014 at the Lohn estate in Kehrsatz for an official working visit. Besides bilateral relations, their discussions centred on Switzerland's policy on Europe, fiscal matters, multilateral issues and the upcoming conference on Syria in Montreux.
20.01.2014
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Press releases
EDA
On Monday, 20 January 2014, the president of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, received his South Korean counterpart, Park Geun-hye, in Bern for a two-day state visit. During the visit, Switzerland and the Republic of Korea signed several documents with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of social insurance, the economy, health care and research, as well as institutionalising their political dialogue. Three other Federal Councillors took part in the talks conducted by the two presidents.
20.01.2014
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Press releases
EDA
The Italian minister of economy and finance, Fabrizio Saccomanni, will travel to Switzerland on 30 January 2014. He will open the second forum for dialogue between Switzerland and Italy in the company of the president of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter. He will also meet Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer Schlumpf, head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF).
17.01.2014
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Press releases
EDA
As part of an official working visit, the president of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, met with the Austrian federal president, Heinz Fischer, today in Vienna. The meeting focused on bilateral themes as well as policy on Europe and the priorities of the Swiss Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
16.01.2014
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Press releases
EDA
In his first official appearance as Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Swiss President Didier Burkhalter discussed the priorities of Switzerland's OSCE Chairmanship with representatives of the 57 OSCE participating States in Vienna.
15.01.2014
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 15 January 2014, the Federal Council approved the Foreign Policy Report 2013. The report provides a complete overview of Swiss foreign policy and gives an account of the most significant foreign policy activities of 2013. It also provides an initial assessment of the implementation of the Foreign Policy Strategy 2012-2015.
13.01.2014
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Press releases
EDA
War has been raging in Syria for more than 1000 days; the humanitarian situation in the region is catastrophic. According to UN estimates, approximately 9.3 million people in Syria need humanitarian aid. The number of refugees has more than tripled to 2.3 million over the last 12 months and is expected to exceed 4 million by the end of 2014. In view of the situation, the UN is about to convene another donor conference in Kuwait during which it will call on the international community to provide USD 6.5 billion in assistance this year. Switzerland will pledge additional assistance in response to this appeal for humanitarian aid – the largest the UN has made to date.
13.01.2014
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Press releases
EDA
Swiss President Didier Burkhalter's first trip abroad in 2014 takes him to Austria. In his capacity as Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, on 16 January 2014 Mr Burkhalter will address the Permanent Council, one of the organisation's decision-making bodies, in Vienna. On 17 January, Mr Burkhalter will meet Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Michael Spindelegger and Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz in Vienna. On 21 January, Austrian Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann will be received in Bern during his first trip abroad as head of the new Austrian government.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.