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 News Service of the Federal Administration.
13.02.2023
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Press releases
EDA
The president of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, in Bern on Monday 13 February 2023. The two meetings focused on cooperation between Switzerland and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, with both sides stressing the important role of human rights in conflict prevention.
13.02.2023
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Press releases
EDA
After almost a week of sustained operations, Swiss Rescue is ending its search for survivors of the devastating earthquake in Turkey. The team and the search dogs are returning to Switzerland on Monday 13 February 2023. The second phase of the emergency aid operations was already launched on Saturday 11 February 2023, with the arrival of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit's rapid response team in Hatay Province, Turkey. In addition, an initial aid delivery with 300 winter-proof family tents is on its way to the earthquake-hit region.
13.02.2023
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Press releases
EDA
On 15 and 16 February 2023, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will host the 2nd International Cooperation Forum Switzerland (IC Forum) in Geneva. Entitled 'Education4Future', the IC Forum will focus on education, bringing together representatives from the political arena, research, the private and financial sectors, NGOs and young people. The IC Forum aims to find joint solutions and to provide access to education worldwide.
10.02.2023
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Press releases
EDA
The earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have caused massive damage, leaving thousands of people in the two countries dead or injured, with the number of casualties still expected to rise. In response to an appeal from the Turkish authorities, Swiss Humanitarian Aid immediately sent a Swiss Rescue team to the affected regions last Monday. A second phase of the emergency response is being launched today.
06.02.2023
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Press releases
EDA
On 6 February 2023, a number of earthquakes occurred along the Turkish–Syrian border. Swiss Humanitarian Aid has sent around 80 Swiss Rescue experts and eight search dogs to the Gaziantep area in southern Turkey. The rescue team also includes disaster response specialists from the Swiss Armed Forces. The rescue effort is in response to an appeal for help from the Turkish authorities. The Swiss authorities are in the process of clarifying what assistance is needed by people in Syria affected by the earthquakes.
02.02.2023
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Press releases
EDA
The next world exhibition will be held in 2025 in Osaka, Japan. As a major international event with significant media coverage, Switzerland will use Expo 2025 as a platform to further deepen relations with Japan as one of the most important trading partners in Asia and to showcase Swiss innovative strengths and sustainability – with the lightest pavilion at the event.
02.02.2023
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Press releases
EDA
From 24 January to 2 February, Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) hosted an online meeting of governmental experts, with the aim of improving protection of the environment in armed conflicts through better implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL). States can now draw inspiration from the good practices shared at the meeting.
02.02.2023
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Press releases
EDA
President Alain Berset will travel to Botswana and Mozambique next week. While in Botswana the aim will be to raise contacts to a new level and in Mozambique President Berset will foster Switzerland’s longstanding relations with the country–. In both countries, the regional situation and global issues will be discussed in addition to bilateral topics – also with a view to Switzerland's work in the UN Security Council.
01.02.2023
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council approved the 2022 Foreign Policy Report at its meeting on 1 February 2023. The document includes a special focus on the war in Ukraine. It also discusses progress in relations with the EU, Switzerland's commitment to more effective multilateralism, and its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2023–24.
01.02.2023
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Press releases
EDA
In response to the unprecedented flow of people forced to abandon their homes due to armed conflict, the Federal Council decided at its meeting on 1st February 2023 to allocate CHF 68 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the years 2023–24. The UNHCR provides dignified hosting conditions and medical assistance to those forced to flee as well as access to education for their children. It is a key partner in the implementation of Switzerland's foreign policy.
27.01.2023
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland takes note of the third report of the Investigation and Identification Team of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which was mandated to identify the perpetrators of the use of chemical weapons in Douma on 7 April 2018. Switzerland strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons and calls on all parties to the conflict in Syria to refrain from using them and comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law. Those responsible for crimes under international law in Syria must be held accountable.
18.01.2023
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Press releases
EDA
The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) held in Lugano last July will be resumed in London in 2023. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, in the presence of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's State Secretary, Oleksandr Bankov, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has officially handed over responsibility for preparing the next URC to UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Grant Shapps. The head of the FDFA recalled the Lugano Principles and described them as a compass pointing the way to Ukraine's recovery even in dark times.
Last update 23.04.2025
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