Press releases

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UN conference on the Middle East: Switzerland calls emphatically for diplomatic steps towards a two-state solution

30.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
At the UN conference on the two-state solution which took place from 28 to 30 July 2025 in New York, Switzerland called for respect for international humanitarian law by all parties, including the unhindered provision of humanitarian aid to the people of the Gaza Strip and the release of all hostages, an immediate and lasting ceasefire and serious diplomatic efforts to implement the two-state solution. Around 120 states attended the conference.

Switzerland to take part in high-level conference on Middle East and two-state solution

25.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
France and Saudi Arabia will co-chair the high-level international conference to promote a lasting peace in the Middle East and the implementation of the two-state solution. The conference will be held from 28 to 30 July 2025 in New York, under the auspices of the United Nations. Switzerland will be taking part alongside numerous international partners.

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

Media (3508)

Swiss participation in the Asian Development Fund

27.03.2013 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland will continue its support for the poorest countries of Asia through its development cooperation. The Federal Council ruled on March 27 to pledge CHF 48 million to the Asian Development Fund over the next four years. The fund supports the poorest developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.

The SDC launches a new cooperation programme in Cambodia

22.03.2013 — Press releases EDA
The SDC opens a new cooperation office on Thursday 21 March 2013 in Phnom Penh. This inauguration marks the official launch of a new Swiss cooperation programme in Cambodia focusing on agriculture and food security, local government and citizens’ participation, and job creation and professional training. This engagement is part of Switzerland’s new regional cooperation strategy for the Mekong region in the period 2013-2017.

Successful Conclusion to UN Human Rights Council Session

22.03.2013 — Press releases EDA
The human rights violations in Syria are to be transferred to international jurisdiction. A resolution to that effect was passed today in Geneva by the UN Human Rights Council. Switzerland takes a positive view of the results achieved at the 22nd regular session of the Human Rights Council, which closes today. Among other things, the Human Rights Council adopted the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Switzerland.

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter stresses the urgent need to improve the water supply throughout the world

22.03.2013 — Press releases EDA
During an international meeting on water cooperation in The Hague today, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter stressed the importance of improving the water supply throughout the world. He said that the diversity and the number of future challenges around the issue of water mean that this should be an international priority. This is the goal of this meeting, which is part of the consultation process on water in order to produce a definition for the new United Nations Agenda for the fight against poverty.

Official visit by Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs

21.03.2013 — Press releases EDA
On 21st March 2013, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received his Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkēvičs for an official working visit. In addition to bilateral relations, the talks in Bern covered the European policy of both countries, aspects of multilateral cooperation, and current international issues.

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter travels to The Hague for World Water Day 2013

21.03.2013 — Press releases EDA
On the occasion of World Water Day 2013, which will take place on 22 March, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will participate in the High-Level Meeting at an international conference on cooperation aimed at ensuring the supply of water for the entire planet.

Swiss Delegation satisfied about conclusion of UN Session in New York on Violence against Women and Girls

16.03.2013 — Press releases EDA
The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) ended its 57th Session on Friday in New York. This year’s session focused on the priority theme “Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls”. The Swiss Delegation welcomes the adoption of the Agreed Conclusions that strengthen the status and the rights of women and girls and frame international policies and actions for the fight against violence. Switzerland was successfully elected as a member of the CSW with voting rights for a four-year period beginning with the 58th Session. It was further elected to the CSW-Bureau on March 15th for a two year mandate.

Switzerland to mark ICRC anniversary with a gift

15.03.2013 — Press releases EDA
To mark the 150th anniversary of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter presented the president of the ICRC, Peter Maurer, with Switzerland’s gift of the financial resources needed to recruit and train 150 delegates for the ICRC, Switzerland’s most important humanitarian partner. Another highlight of the annual conference of Switerland’s Humanitarian Aid in the “Kursaal” in Bern was the theme: “Accessing the Victims – the Challenge”, which was addressed in a series of speeches, panel discussions and interviews.

Switzerland assumes the chairmanship of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights

14.03.2013 — Press releases EDA
From today Switzerland will take over for one year the chairmanship of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. By signing up to this international initiative companies from the mining, oil and gas industries commit themselves to contribute in their activities at home and abroad to the protection of human rights and to the prevention of conflicts. This initiative is supported by governments, companies and civil society. The mining company Xstrata is the first company with headquarters in Switzerland to join the initiative.

Switzerland condemns the threats by North Korea

08.03.2013 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland is closely following developments on the Korean peninsula. It condemns the recent threats by North Korea and calls on all parties to exercise restraint.

Switzerland joins “Friends of Yemen” group

07.03.2013 — Press releases EDA
Today marks the start of Swiss membership of “Friends of Yemen”, a group of over 30 states and several organisations which exists to support political transition in Yemen. At today’s meeting in London, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter mentioned that between 2012 and 2014 Switzerland has provided around CHF 20 million to support political stabilisation and improve the humanitarian situation in the country.

Official working visit by the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, Ali Asghar Khaji, to the State Secretary, Yves Rossier

07.03.2013 — Press releases EDA
As part of the regular political consultations between Switzerland and Iran, Mr Yves Rossier, State Secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), yesterday welcomed the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Europe and America, Ali Asghar Khaji, to Bern for official talks. Mr Khaji ended his working visit today after a courtesy visit to the Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Ms Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch, and a meeting with members of the Federal Parliament.

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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