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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).

Media (3506)

Switzerland gets off the mark at the Rio Olympics with the House of Switzerland

01.08.2016 — Press releases EDA
The House of Switzerland opened its doors in Rio de Janeiro today, coinciding with Swiss National Day. Organised by Presence Switzerland, part of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the House of Switzerland will provide a platform to celebrate sporting prowess and raise Switzerland’s profile in business, science, tourism and culture for the duration of the Summer Olympics.

Switzerland responds to new humanitarian needs in South Sudan

27.07.2016 — Press releases EDA
In South Sudan thousands of people have fled the recent hostilities between rival political factions. These new outbreaks of violence have compounded the already considerable humanitarian needs in the country. Switzerland has decided to provide an additional CHF 2 million to alleviate the suffering of the local population.

Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard welcomes Solar Impulse in Abu Dhabi

26.07.2016 — Press releases EDA
On Tuesday 26 July, Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard welcomed the solar-powered plane Solar Impulse as it completed its round-the-world flight in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). She also congratulated the initiators and pilots Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg on behalf of the Federal Council. On the occasion of the celebrations, Ms Leuthard also held bilateral talks with two ministers of the UAE.

The FDFA strongly condemns the serious violations of international humanitarian law in Syria

25.07.2016 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is very concerned about the intensification of the conflict in Syria in recent weeks. It strongly condemns all the violations of international humanitarian law and the human rights violations and abuses committed by all parties to the conflict. The FDFA calls on all parties to the conflict to allow rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to the area east of Aleppo and condemns the damage inflicted on Switzerland's partner NGOs.

1 August 2016: Swiss Military Band plays in Asia

22.07.2016 — Press releases EDA
In 2016 the Swiss Confederation celebrates its 725th National Day which will be honoured by Swiss nationals living in Asia as well. At the initiative of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the Chief of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General André Blattman, an ensemble consisting of 14 musicians from the Swiss Military Band will provide the musical background for the festivities at embassies in Seoul (South Korea), Beijing (China), Manila (Philippines) and Singapore.

Switzerland steps up its humanitarian commitment to the people fleeing the fighting in Iraq

This new Swiss contribution will help strengthen protection activities and access to drinking water for displaced civilians in central Iraq.

20.07.2016 — Press releases EDA
A conference of donor countries was held today in Washington to mobilise funds to ensure better humanitarian support for the tens of thousands of internally displaced persons fleeing the fighting that has been ravaging Iraq since May. Switzerland has decided to allocate an additional CHF 1 million, increasing its commitment to CHF 10 million for 2016.

Switzerland presents initial steps towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Director-General of the SDC Manuel Sager speak during the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2016, in New York.

19.07.2016 — Press releases EDA
New York, 19 July 2016: at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at the United Nations in New York, Manuel Sager, the director-general of the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), presented Switzerland's initial steps towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Turkey: the FDFA calls for reconciliation among democratic forces

18.07.2016 — Press releases EDA
Following the attempted coup d'état in Turkey, the FDFA calls for the preservation of national unity and the reconciliation of Turkish society.

Switzerland donates ambulances to Syria's suffering population

Switzerland is financing twelve new ambulances to improve the situation of people suffering from the consequences of the war in Syria. © FDFA

18.07.2016 — Press releases EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has delivered twelve new ambulances to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). A Swiss delegation accompanied the delivery in the Syrian capital Damascus. The ambulances are urgently needed in Syria because the country's health system has too few ambulances to cope with the enormous number of victims caused by the war, including attacks against hospitals.

Switzerland condemns the attack in Nice and mourns the death of at least two Swiss nationals

A forensic team examines the lorry that was used by an attacker to mow down a crowd of people in Nice on 14 July 2016.

15.07.2016 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland is shocked and appalled by the attack in Nice, which claimed the lives of over 80 people. At least two Swiss citizens were among the victims. The President of the Swiss Confederation, Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, has condemned the attack in the strongest terms and has written to the French President, François Hollande, to express his condolences in the name of the Swiss people. In letters of condolence, other members of the Federal Council also expressed their sympathy and consternation to their French counterparts. On Friday afternoon, the Confederation's Security Core Group met with representatives of the Conference of Cantonal Police Commanders of Switzerland to discuss the situation.

Protecting human life and contributing to peace and security – federal government sets out its Humanitarian Demining Strategy 2016–2019

A group of women returning from work on the land pass a sign at the edge of a field warning ‘danger mines’.

11.07.2016 — Press releases EDA
Some 50 million stockpiled anti-personnel mines and 2 million cluster munitions have been destroyed over the past 20 years. People are nevertheless still being killed by landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war on a daily basis despite international efforts in which Switzerland also plays an active role. The federal government has therefore laid down guidelines on its humanitarian demining engagement for the period 2016–19 and will continue to provide experts for UN demining programmes, support demining projects in the countries concerned and maintain its strategic partnership with the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining.

Culture and football – the final whistle blows for the House of Switzerland in Paris (last modification, the 11.07.2016)

11.07.2016 — Press releases EDA
The 44th and final match broadcast at the House of Switzerland – in Paris from 10 June to 10 July as part of Euro 2016 – has been just like the others during this last month. A large audience gathered in a festive atmosphere to watch the final, bringing to a close a month of Switzerland's presence in this trendy Parisian location focusing on the vibrancy of the Swiss cultural scene and the country's diversity.

Other news (151)

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.

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