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)

Erfolgreicher Start des Wettersatelliten Metop-B

19.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
Der zweite Satellit der europäischen Serie polarumlaufender Wettersatelliten, Metop-B, hat erfolgreich von der Erdoberfläche abgehoben und ist auf dem Weg zu seiner Erdumlaufbahn in ca. 830 km Höhe. Dort wird er seinen Vorgänger ablösen und die für die Wettervorhersagen und das Klima-Monitoring essentiellen Beobachtungen fortsetzen.

Attack on the US consulate in Benghazi (Libya) – FDFA statement

12.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
The FDFA emphatically condemns the violent attacks in Benghazi on 11 September 2012 which led to the deaths of the US Ambassador in Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, and three employees of the American consulate.

Visit by Ban Ki-moon to mark the 10th anniversary of Swiss membership of the United Nations

11.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
The Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon paid a two-day official visit to Switzerland to coincide with the 10th anniversary of Switzerland's membership of the UN. After a first day in Geneva on Monday, 10 September 2012, he went to Bern on 11 September and held talks with the President of the Swiss Confederation Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard and Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter. The Secretary General of the UN also gave a speech to the Federal Assembly.

Co-operation in the interests of business, human rights and peace

11.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
Bern, 11 September 2012 – This year’s Annual Conference of the Human Security Division (HSD) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) focuses on the vision of an economy that creates prosperity for many and promotes both compliance with human rights and the interests of peace. About 500 people gathered in the “Kursaal” in Bern to listen to the contributions of representatives of the Swiss Confederation, private business, academia, international organisations and civil society on the theme of “Business, Human Rights and Peace”.

The SDC will increase its contribution to the Kantha Bopha hospitals from 2013

11.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
The Kantha Bopha hospitals in Cambodia celebrate the 20th anniversary of their foundation this year. Established in 1992 on the initiative of Dr Beat Richner, these paediatric hospitals make a major contribution to the improvement of the health of children and to public health generally in Cambodia. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has supported Dr Richner's work since 1994. In this anniversary year it has decided to raise its contribution by CHF 1 million, bringing the total of Switzerland's aid to CHF 4 million a year.

Visit to Rome by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter

10.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter will pay an official working visit to Rome on 13 September. He will meet the Italian minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Giulio Terzi. Bilateral issues, in particular the fiscal dialogue and cross-border co-operation, will be discussed. Mr Burkhalter and Mr Terzi will also discuss European policy, multilateral and international questions.

Official visit of the President of Slovakia

10.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf received the President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič in Bern on an official visit. President Gašparovič was accompanied by the Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajčák, who met his opposite number Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter for a working meeting. Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann met the Slovak Minister for Economic Affairs Tomáš Malatinský, who was also part of the official delegation.

Official Visit to Switzerland by UNRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi

10.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
UNRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi is on an official visit to Switzerland from 10 to 12 September 2012. On Monday he held talks in Berne with State Secretary Yves Rossier, Director-General of the SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Martin Dahinden, Federal Council Delegate for Humanitarian Aid Manuel Bessler and various members of parliament. Switzerland has decided to pledge an additional one million Swiss francs in support of Palestinian refugees affected by the conflict in Syria.

Anniversary of Switzerland joining the UN: official visit by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (last modification, the 07.09.2012)

07.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will pay an official visit to Switzerland on 10 and 11 September, when Switzerland will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its membership of the United Nations. Mr Ban will meet the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mrs Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, and Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the FDFA. Mr Ban will also speak before the Federal Assembly. This is a rare event.

Raumtransporter Albert Einstein macht den ersten Schritt auf dem Weg zur Internationalen Raumstation ISS

07.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
Die europäischen Raumtransporter vom Typ ATV sind wichtige Bestandteile in der Versorgungslogistik der Internationalen Raumstation ISS. Diese Raumschiffe transportieren Güter für die Besatzung der Raumstation, wissenschaftliche Experimente, Wasser und Treibstoff und erlauben Orbitalmanöver. Der vierte in der Serie dieser geräumigen Transporter hat am 29. August die Integrationshallen der Firma Astrium GmbH in Bremen verlassen und befindet sich jetzt auf dem Weg zum Startgelände in Kourou, Französisch-Guayana. Die ESA hat ATV4 auf Vorschlag der Schweizer Delegation auf den Namen Albert Einstein getauft.

Switzerland presents the United Nations with an apiary to celebrate 10 years of UN membership

07.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
Ten years ago Switzerland became the 190th member state of the UN. To mark this milestone the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, will present UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, with a symbolic and original gift of an apiary to be set up in the grounds of Ariana Park, the UN headquarters in Geneva. The presentation will take place on Monday 10 September 2012.

Amendment to the Ordinance on measures against certain persons from the Arab Republic of Egypt

06.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has amended the annex to the Ordinance on measures against certain persons from the Arab Republic of Egypt. The amendment has been made in consultation with the Egyptian authorities and enters into force on 6 September 2012. The annex to the Ordinance now contains the names of 31 natural persons whose assets have been frozen in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance.

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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