Head of Department Ignazio Cassis
Ignazio Cassis worked as a medical doctor before starting his political career as a member of the communal parliament for Collina d'Oro, in the district of Lugano. Whilst serving as the cantonal physician, he was elected 2007 to the National Council as a member of FDP – The Liberals. 2017 Ignazio Cassis was elected to the Federal Council. In line with the seniority principle of the Federal Council he took on the presidency of the Swiss Confederation in 2022.
Dear fellow citizens,
As head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), I have always emphasised the link between our domestic and foreign policies. After all, foreign policy priorities are developed in Switzerland together with the political institutions and the population. The content of this website is intended to ensure communication with citizens and help them understand an increasingly complex international reality.
The FDFA represents Switzerland's interests in the world. Our activities range from diplomatic relations with other states and work in international organisations to development cooperation and humanitarian aid in times of war and crisis.
With around 170 representations – embassies, consulates or Swiss missions to international organisations – the FDFA is present throughout the world and supports Swiss nationals abroad. We do this through various channels, such as the FDFA helpline, websites and apps that provide access to up-to-date information.
Abroad, Switzerland is known for its democracy, its institutional stability, its reliability, its cultural diversity, its entrepreneurial innovations and its academic excellence. In this spirit, I wish you a pleasant journey of discovery through our FDFA!
Ignazio Cassis
Head of the FDFA
Portrait
Ignazio Cassis (FDP), elected by the United Federal Assembly on 20 September 2017, took up his post as head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on 1 November 2017.
For two years prior to his election to the Federal Council, Mr Cassis was president of the parliamentary group of the FDP.The Liberals, of which he was a member since his election to the National Council in 2007. From 2015, he chaired the National Council's Social Security and Health Committee. He was also vice-chair or chair of various parliamentary groups. His political career began in 2004 with his election to the legislative authority of the Ticino municipality of Collina d'Oro.
After graduating in medicine from the University of Zurich in 1987, Ignazio Cassis obtained a doctorate from the University of Lausanne in 1996 and a master's degree in public health from the University of Geneva the same year.
From 1988 to 1996 he worked as a doctor, specialising 1998 in internal medicine and in prevention and public health. From 1997 to 2008 he was cantonal physician for the Canton of Ticino. From 2008 to 2012 has held the office of Vice-President of the Swiss Medical Association and since 2012 has held the office of various organisations in the health sector (Curafutura, CURAVIVA, EQUAM, RADIX, etc.).
His university teaching activities (in charge of courses) have taken him to various universities, such as Università della Svizzera italiana, Université de Lausanne, Universität Bern and Universität Zürich.
Ignazio Cassis was born 1961 in Sessa, in the Malcantone region (TI), and is married.
Autograph card
A postcard through your letter box signed by the Federal Councillor.
The 2022 Federal Presidency: key messages and meetings
The 2022 Federal Presidency: key messages and meetings of Ignazio Cassis and the history of the five Ticino presidents of the Swiss Confederation.
Contact
General Secretariat GS-FDFA
Federal Palace West
3003 Bern