News overview Foreign policy

The 1962 Évian Accords ended the Algerian War; Bern and Switzerland played a discreet but key, little-known role.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

Switzerland had a seat on the UN Security Council in 2023 and 2024. Its priorities were peace, climate security and the protection of civilians.

The Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions scheduled for 7 March will not take place.

With the Geneva Consultations, Switzerland is channelling expertise from International Geneva into efforts to strengthen UN peacebuilding.

On 13 December 2024, the Federal Council adopted the updated National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights.

Switzerland will take part in the World Expo in Belgrade in 2027. Under the motto 'Play for Humanity', 120 countries and over 2.6 million visitors are expected to attend.

FDFA news ticker on the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, which Switzerland organised on 15 and 16 June 2024 at the Bürgenstock.

Under a mandate from the PHRD, a group of specialists from the ESC travelled to Serbia and Kosovo in October to examine the use of new technologies in the search for missing persons.

The role of science diplomacy in the implementation of global environmental goals will be explored in greater depth during the 2024 GESDA Summit using the example of the Transnational Red Sea Center.

In October 2024, Switzerland will hold for the second time the presidency of the UN Security Council. As during its first presidency, it will place two of its priorities – «promoting lasting peace» and «protecting civilian populations» – at the heart of the Council's work. What does the presidency mean for Switzerland? We provide an overview of Switzerland's powers, practices and priorities during its month-long presidency of the Security Council.

Philippe Stoll from the ICRC sheds light on the use of digital technologies in armed conflicts in the context of the 75 years of the Geneva Conventions.

Interview with Franz Perrez, director of the Directorate of International Law, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions.

Description of bilateral relations between Switzerland and Kyrgyzstan in the context of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis' visit to the two countries.

Following the Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Bürgenstock, Switzerland is committed to supporting the process that was initiated at the Bürgenstock.

Explanation about the topics of the 2024 Ambassadors' Conference.

Three Voices from the World of the three careers “International Cooperation”, “Diplomacy” and “Consular Affairs, Management and Finance (KBF)”.

Four FDFA candidates from the 2024–2025 cohorts share their motivation following a meeting with Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the Parliament Building on 21 May 2024.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will visit Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya from 17 to 22 March 2024 as part of his trip to sub-Saharan Africa.

Switzerland supports the peace process in Colombia and co-organised the Security Council's trip to this South American country.

From 5 to 8 February, the head of the FDFA will make official visits to India, South Korea, China and the Philippines.

Overview of the topics addressed by the FDFA at the WEF. Focus: peace and humanitarian demining in Ukraine, the Middle East conflict and the European dossier.

Ukraine, Kosovo and the Middle East are among Switzerland's priority countries and regions for its support in the field of missing persons.

The Confederation and the Conference of Cantonal Governments chaired EUSALP in 2023.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will hold numerous bilateral meetings and participate in thematic events in New York.

The annual Swiss Ambassadors' Conference takes place from 21 to 24 August. Interview with Ambassador Alexandra Baumann.

As part of a working visit to Asia and Oceania, which includes stops in Jakarta, Singapore, Sydney, and Wellington, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will celebrate this year's Swiss national day with members of the country's diaspora. At the end of 2022, there were more than 800,000 Swiss citizens living abroad.

Alexandre Fasel has been appointed as the next state secretary of the FDFA, from 1 September 2023. He succeeds Livia Leu, who will take up the post of Swiss ambassador to Germany in Berlin.

Switzerland’s maritime strategy is divided into five priorities: public international law, maritime economy, environment, research and Swiss flag.

Mirko Giulietti, who heads the FDFA's Americas Division, talks about their strategy for the region, Switzerland's role in the Colombian peace process, and the new humanitarian office in Haiti.

The Federal Council has launched its South East Asia Strategy – the fifth geographical strategy following up on the Foreign Policy Strategy 2020-2023.

One example of Switzerland's efforts to defend human rights can be seen in the work it has done at the Qatar World Cup.

In the run-up to President Cassis' visit to Belgium, an overview of Swiss-Belgian relations – taking in the more curious side of things.

18th Summit of La Francophonie: member states respond to challenges of the digital age. Experience gained in International Geneva will bring added value to the debate.

At Swissminiatur, President Cassis pays tribute to multilateralism, International Geneva, and Switzerland's decision to join the UN 20 years ago.

Switzerland has adopted the sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia. The Federal Council took this decision on 28 February 2022. This does not alter Switzerland's neutrality in any way.

nterview with Ambassador Maya Tissafi on the FDFA's collaboration with the Middle East Mediterranean Summit organised by USI in Lugano.

International humanitarian law applies in armed conflicts, governs the conduct of war and protects victims.

Four voices from Italian-speaking Switzerland reflect on the role of Lugano and Canton Ticino as hosts of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2022.

AI is changing our societies. Trust and regulation are the core themes of a conference in Geneva bringing together experts on AI.

Federal Council adopts Switzerland's second voluntary national review on the 2030 Agenda. A wide range of stakeholders are making contributions and driving the processes involved.

Switzerland is committed to the peaceful, secure, sustainable use of outer space.

The 60th anniversary of the Evian Agreements is an opportunity to highlight one of the major events in the history of Switzerland's good offices.

Switzerland has made a political commitment to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which establishes social, economic and environmental goals. All UN member states are called upon to regularly evaluate their progress and publish the results. In 2022 Switzerland will present its second voluntary comprehensive country report. FDFA IT and the FDFA State Secretariat developed a customised tool specially for the report.

On 2 November, Switzerland and Indonesia celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations. Batik culture, an economic partnership agreement that came into force on 1 November, Swiss vocational education and training in Indonesia, traditional shadow theatre, gamelan music, a hand-made road and Swiss disaster relief – the stories behind an excellent partnership.

The Climate Change Conference in Glasgow includes a pavilion devoted to Earth's frozen surfaces. This initiative is backed by Switzerland, whose world-renowned scientific expertise in the cryosphere may help to advance the climate negotiations. Part of the pavilion will feature virtually in Geneva.

Xavier Mertz – how the first Swiss polar explorer to set foot in Antarctica came to a bitter end and why FDFA science diplomacy supports polar research.

The latest news on Afghanistan from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, including information on the security situation, repatriations, etc.

Fifty years on from first entering politics, women are increasingly well represented in the FDFA. Livia Leu, FDFA State Secretary, and Tania Cavassini, FDFA Director of Resources, provide an update.

Mr Cassis invited retiring and newly appointed staff from the three different FDFA career paths to a ceremony at the Bernerhof.

The FDFA supports the MEM Summer Summit, organised by the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano. Interviews with the participants.

The latest news on Afghanistan from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, including information on the security situation, repatriations, etc.

COVID-19 has an impact on our lives in Switzerland and abroad. The FDFA summarises the most important information regarding life abroad in its news ticker.

Press release: Biden – Putin summit: strengthened air policing and airspace restrictions

Dialogue is an important element of Swiss diplomacy for resolving differences between parties to a conflict. It is particularly key within the framework of its good offices.

World Africa Day is celebrated every 25 May. The FDFA has taken this as an occasion to stress the importance of relations with this continent. The FDFA's Africa Strategy 2021–24 aims to develop mutually beneficial relations.

On the occasion of the 131st Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Swiss experts talks about their work in the digital field.

Food systems are key to achieving the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda. Here Switzerland engages in various dialogues and pools its expert knowledge to bring about change on a global level.

With the "House of Switzerland" and the pavilion, Switzerland will showcase itself at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and the 2025 World Expo in Osaka.

Federal Councillor Cassis talks about the framework agreement in an interview with CH Media and points out that failing to strike a deal and reaching an agreement both come at a price.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis takes a look at Switzerland's role in Europe and Winston Churchill's special relationship with Switzerland.

The Federal Council adopted a strategy for China at its meeting on 19 March. The strategy was drafted in a process that involved all government departments.

Women's rights Switzerland is closely involved in the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which opens this Monday in New York.

Switzerland's candidature for the UN Security Council, FDFA

The FDFA is launching a new version of the app dedicated to women's rights which can be used during international negotiations.

EU, China, freedom of the press: In an interview with AGEFI, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis presents the Federal Council's view. And a very personal one.

In his first statement to the UN Security Council, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis speaks about the impact of climate change on international stability.

In his opening address to the session of the UN Human Rights Council, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis stressed the importance of fundamental rights.

In this interview with the news platform swissinfo.ch, Ignazio Cassis talks about the e-ID, the external network and Switzerland's foreign policy strategy.

In an interview published on Friday, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis emphasised Switzerland's commitment to dialogue and cooperation.

The survey of Federal Administration employees and the FDFA's survey of local personnel provided much positive feedback on the work situation of staff at the FDFA.

In an interview, Ignazio Cassis comments on the situation in Belarus and expresses concern about the actions of the Belarusian government.

In an interview with CH Media, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis talks about Switzerland's European policy and the management of the COVID-19 crisis – both of which require a willingness to compromise.

Switzerland shares the goal of a world without nuclear weapons. Though it has not yet ratified the UN's Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, its policy is still strongly oriented in this direction.

In an interview with the NZZ, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis talks about increasing polarisation, Switzerland's strengths, and its relations with Europe.

Switzerland's new Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy focuses on four key thematic areas: peace, security and human rights; prosperity; sustainability; and digitalisation.

The recent incidents around the Capitol on 6 January 2021 have been followed with great concern by the FDFA. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and State Secretary Livia Leu have issued statements in response.

Livia Leu became the new head of the State Secretariat of the FDFA on 1 January 2021. The Secretariat comprises both geographic and thematic divisions, as well as units providing specific services.

Stories of partnership, tourism, diplomacy, economic affairs, science, culture and sport between Switzerland and China.

In an interview with Weltwoche, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis talks about the current corona crisis, the European dossier and Switzerland's foreign policy strategy.

Die Sponsoring Policy, die in die neue Strategie Landeskommunikation 2021-2024 integriert ist, legt die Kriterien für Sponsoring-Partnerschaften fest.

The Federal Council approved Switzerland's Strategy for Communication Abroad 2021–24, which sets priorities for the coming years.

Ambassador and Director of the DIL, Corinne Cicéron Bühler ensures that Switzerland plays a pioneering role in the recovery of illicit assets.

Switzerland and Luxembourg return 26 million USD to Peru. Vladimiro Montesinos had illegally invested this amount in these countries.

International Mountain Day 2020: Switzerland is committed to the sustainable development of mountain regions

Switzerland votes on UN decisions. It is also a candidate for the Security Council. Its candidacy will not change its voting behaviour within the global organisation.

The FDFA confirms that a court hearing took place today for Natallia Hersche, a Swiss/Belarusian citizen detained in Minsk.

Switzerland has been a member of la Francophonie since 1996. It shares the fundamental values of peace and democracy.

How can digital technologies become more secure and cyberspace more peaceful? At the Geneva Dialogue, leading companies agree on a common approach.

Geneva security centres mark anniversaries – with events and best wishes from Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. Their commitment to peace remains relevant.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women takes place on 25 November. Switzerland is committed to securing respect and equal rights for women.

The 2020 Afghanistan Conference on 23 and 24 November brought the international community together. Switzerland, as host country, is among the donors.

In 1990, Swiss diplomats reported on the visit of Václav Havel to Bern in documents that are now being published for the first time by the Dodis research centre.

The world's nations have committed to eradicating poverty by 2030. Switzerland is playing a very active role. The UNDP is a key partner.

Switzerland is providing CHF 700,000 in emergency aid to help people in Central America affected by hurricane Eta.

In an interview at the Swiss Digital Days, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis talks about the significance of digital change.

The Federal Council adopted the new Digital Foreign Policy Strategy on 4 November 2020.

In many countries no statistics and consequently no data – such as on the situation of vulnerable populations – exist. This makes it difficult to measure the effectiveness and progress of sustainable development globally. This is why Switzerland and the UN are holding the World Data Forum. Jacques Ducrest, one of the Federal Council's delegates for the 2030 Agenda, believes globally applicable standards for data and statistics can also help to combat pandemics.

Swiss police officers are taking part in UN international security missions in countries with conflict situations or undergoing reconstruction.

In its MENA strategy, the Federal Council sets out its foreign policy priorities for the Middle East and North Africa for the period 2021–24.

In an interview during a visit to Liechtenstein, Ignazio Cassis speaks about the relationship between the two countries and Switzerland's European policy.

The United Nations celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2020. In a video message, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis pays tribute to the work done by the UN – notably in the fight against the pandemic – and acknowledges the organisation's fundamental role in shaping the future.

The 75th session of the UN General Assembly opens on 15 September. For Switzerland, maintaining dialogue between states is more important than ever.

In un’intervista rilasciata alla SRF Ignazio Cassis descrive il rapporto della Svizzera con l’Europa e spiega perché l’aumento dei casi di COVID-19 non lo preoccupa ancora.

In line with its Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS), Switzerland is building a solar power system at its embassy in Harare, which covers Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.

A well-functioning network abroad is vital in order to support Swiss nationals abroad, maintain relations with the countries concerned and defend Switzerland's interests. Sharing experiences.

Switzerland is lifting travel restrictions for all EU/EFTA countries and the United Kingdom as of Monday 15 June. The FDFA has issued 5 travel tips for preparing for your journey.

On 9 July, Switzerland and the USA met for bilateral cyber dialogue. Together, the two countries are committed to an open and secure digital space.

Signed in San Francisco on 26 June 1945, the UN Charter marked the founding of the United Nations. The principles and objectives of this multilateral organisation still broadly correspond to Switzerland's interests and values today.

From 16 to 26 June 2020, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will be meeting with representatives of Switzerland's neighbouring countries. The cooperation on COVID-19 will also be important for the future.

In an interview with RSI, Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis comments on the measures taken against COVID-19 in Switzerland.

FDFA confirms: A Swiss and a Brazilian who had been in the hands of Colombian hostage-takers for almost three months have been freed on Thursday, June 18.

Ignazio Cassis talks in the "Rundschau Talk" about his lessons from the COVID crisis and about cooperation with the private sector in development matters.

Support to build adequate healthcare systems and a concerted, supportive response have proven successful in the fight against malaria. For Olivier Praz of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the lessons learned can provide inputs for the fight against COVID–19.

The Director of the Consular Directorate of the FDFA, Ambassador Johannes Matyassy, speaks about the work of the representations during the corona crisis, which will become even more important in the coming period for the care of blocked Swiss travellers for whom no possibility of return travel could be found.

8 May is World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day – and an occasion to highlight the FDFA's cooperation with the world's leading humanitarian actor.

The FDFA Helpline is handling a large number of enquiries concerning possibilities for travel abroad in the near future and current restrictions at the borders with neighbouring countries. -> Interview with Hans-Peter Heiniger, head of the FDFA Helpline.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having an especially severe impact on developing countries. Switzerland is responding quickly and effectively through its international cooperation in the spirit of solidarity.

In its repatriation operation, the FDFA can count on experienced partners in the form of the airlines Swiss, Edelweiss and Helvetic, which are breaking new ground with these special flights.

The 'Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights' have been in place for 20 years. In March 2020, Switzerland will complete its second term as chair of this initiative.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis opens the Swiss Embassy in Minsk. He will also use his stay in Belarus for bilateral talks with President Lukashenka and Foreign Minister Makej.

Twenty-five years after the Beijing Conference, the 64th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women is taking place in New York. Switzerland will be presenting its work to promote women's rights to the commission.

The Federal Council has adopted the new strategy for Switzerland's international cooperation work. Its purpose is to alleviate need and poverty, to foster respect for human rights, to promote democracy and to conserve the environment.

FDFA State Secretary Kystyna Marty explains the content of the Federal Council's Foreign Policy Strategy 2020-2023. A common strategy strengthens the coherence of foreign policy.

The Federal Council approves the 2019 foreign policy report which prioritises EU relations, global partners, peace and security, and sustainable development. It takes a positive view of implementation of the foreign policy strategy in 2019.