News overview

Switzerland is deeply alarmed about today's strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran and calls for full compliance with international law.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis personally welcomed the delegations from the United States, Ukraine and Russia in Geneva and officially opened the talks.

Speaking before the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, Ignazio Cassis emphasised that the OSCE must be prepared to support any diplomatic initiative that opens the way to peace.

The new Guidelines on Human Rights 2026–29: clear principles, specific areas of action and a broad range of instruments.

Thirty years after the first post-war elections, Switzerland as OSCE Chair supports Bosnia and Herzegovina toward the 2026 parliamentary elections with reforms.

In this interview, Dominik Stillhart, the Federal Council's delegate for humanitarian aid, talks about the changes, challenges and future facing humanitarian aid.

One year after the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan, millions of people are dependent on humanitarian aid. Switzerland is responding.

On the occasion of Federal Councillor Cassis’s visit on 19 February, Romansh will also be spoken in Slovenia. An interview on the topics of the meetings with Swiss Ambassador Gabriele Schreier.

The domestic measures complement the three-level safeguard concept negotiated with the EU as part of the package Switzerland-EU.

How can women’s meaningful participation in peace processes be safeguarded at a time of growing backlash against women’s rights?

From 1 January 2026, Switzerland will chair the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine. An interview with Roland Portmann, head of the Swiss delegation.

In view of the volatile situation in the Middle East, Switzerland must be able to act swiftly and in a coordinated fashion.

Statement: Situation in Iran

Following the devastating fire in a bar in Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve, the FDFA is in contact with the countries affected due to the foreign victims.

Statement: Situation in Venezuela

On 20 October 2025, Colombia transferred a copy of its Truth Commission's digital archive to Switzerland. The files document 29,000 testimonies of human rights violations.

New laws drafted with Swiss support and aimed at making water management more efficient will come into force in Uzbekistan on 31 October 2025.

Hanspeter Mock: "Brazil presents major challenges but also opportunities."

The City of Lugano will host SDG Flag Day 2025 on 17 October. Interview with Michele Foletti, mayor of Lugano.

GPW 2025: We've interviewed Tim Enderlin and Patricia Danzi about the importance of conflict prevention and international cooperation for peace and security.

The east of the DRC is the epicentre of the security crisis in the Great Lakes region. Interview with Laura Reymond-Joubin, human security adviser for the DRC.

How Switzerland acts with its good offices as an impartial mediator on the world stage and contributes to peace.

Interview with Prof. Daniel Farinotti, a glaciologist at ETH Zurich, on glacier preservation and Swiss polar and climate research.

Climate change is aggravating the risk of conflict in Africa. Switzerland is therefore participating in an African Union conference on addressing climate impacts.

The treaties negotiated in Locarno in 1925 contributed significantly to stabilising peace after the First World War.

Paul Dziatkowiec, Director of Mediation and Peace Support at the GCSP, on Switzerland's role in promoting peace and security in the Arctic.

Together with Qatar and the ILO, Switzerland is co-hosting a side event focusing on sustainable economic growth and decent work.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) monitors the political and social situation abroad and issues specific position statements. The FDFA's positions are guided by the objectives, and priorities of Swiss foreign policy as set out, for example, in the Federal Constitution, the Federal Council's foreign policy strategy, and other thematic and geographical strategies.

As an observer on the Arctic Council, Switzerland is committed to environmental protection and the sustainable and peaceful development of the Arctic.

Lara Dickenmann, ambassador for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, and Miriam Ganzfried, delegate for equal opportunities at the FDFA, explain the role that football plays when it comes to social transformation.

To mark the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, a Swiss female diplomat reports on how women are faring in diplomacy and where we stand today in terms of gender parity.

Switzerland is deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran and calls on all parties to de-escalate and return to dialogue.

By adopting a set of measures totalling CHF 269 million, the Federal Council aims to secure International Geneva's position as a major hub for international governance.

The Asia G20 Strategy 2025–28 reflects Switzerland's various interests in relation to China, India, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea.

In 2025, Switzerland will hold the chairmanship of International IDEA. The commitment to strengthening democratic systems is more important than ever.

The FDFA is changing – adjustments to transferable careers. The application process for transferable careers in general starts on 26 May. Applications for consular careers at specialist level may be submitted from 28 July 2025.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) monitors the political and social situation abroad and issues specific position statements. The FDFA's positions are guided by the objectives, and priorities of Swiss foreign policy as set out, for example, in the Federal Constitution, the Federal Council's foreign policy strategy, and other thematic and geographical strategies.

The palace embodies the close ties between Switzerland and Italy. On 9 May, Federal Councillors Ignazio Cassis and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider signed an agreement at the palace.

The new Guidelines on Democracy provide the basis for goals and measures to improve the resilience of democracy worldwide.

Switzerland is hosting the second Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building, which brings together stakeholders from the cybersecurity sector.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to travel to Japan and the People's Republic of China. The aim is to strengthen political and economic relations.

Assets returned from Switzerland are funding upgrades to maternity units in Uzbekistan.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) monitors the political and social situation abroad and issues specific position statements. The FDFA's positions are guided by the objectives, and priorities of Swiss foreign policy as set out, for example, in the Federal Constitution, the Federal Council's foreign policy strategy, and other thematic and geographical strategies.

Mines and other explosive ordnance still kill and injure around 5,000 people every year. In 2024, the Swiss Confederation further strengthened its commitment to humanitarian demining through the implementation of the 2023-2026 action plan, with a special focus on Ukraine. The FDFA and DDPS report on their activities in the previous year on the occasion of the International Mine Awareness Day.

The humanitarian situation in Myanmar is precarious in the aftermath of the earthquake. Switzerland is providing further funds to support the affected population.

Due to the precarious humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, as of March 2025 Switzerland is once again present on the ground with a humanitarian office in Kabul.

Il 24 per cento delle Svizzere e degli Svizzeri all’estero ha più di 65 anni. Questa evoluzione demografica influenza le esigenze della nostra comunità all’estero.

By promoting dialogue, Switzerland has contributed to Zimbabwe's abolition of the death penalty.