Press releases
The media releases in chronological order by the Federal Departement for Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
First-ever Swiss presidential visit to North Macedonia
On Wednesday, 29 April, President Guy Parmelin met with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Speaker of Parliament Afrim Gashi, and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in Skopje. The presidential visit was accompanied by an economic delegation and focused on bilateral relations, in particular on economic exchange and the international cooperation programme.
Switzerland launches new cooperation programme for Kosovo focusing on democracy and peace, the economy, and equitable development
In Pristina on 27 April 2026, the head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Patricia Danzi, presented Switzerland's new cooperation programme for Kosovo. The CHF 64.5 million programme will run from 2026 to 2029 and will focus on democratic governance, economic development and equitable human development. It will be implemented by the SDC and the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) of the FDFA, and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.
Switzerland and Morocco strengthen strategic partnership: focus on the economy, migration and regional stability
Switzerland reaffirmed the strategic dimension of its relationship with Morocco, a key partner in North Africa, when the Moroccan foreign minister, Nasser Bourita, visited Bern and was received by federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans. Discussions centred on the two nations' increased cooperation on economic affairs and migration, shared commitments on climate change, and a convergence of views on regional issues, particularly in the Middle East and Western Sahara, within the multilateral framework of the UN.
Swiss embassy in Tehran to gradually reopen
A small team from the Swiss embassy has returned to Tehran this week. The embassy was temporarily closed on 11 March 2026 due to the precarious security situation. The technical team of four Swiss employees is now preparing the gradual resumption of embassy operations.
Switzerland to showcase innovation and excellence at Expo 2030 in Saudi Arabia
On 15 April, the Federal Council reached a decision to participate in Expo 2030 Riyadh – an opportunity to promote Swiss interests and raise the country’s profile on the global stage. The Swiss pavilion will position the country as a trustworthy and high-performing partner in business, innovation and global governance. The Federal Council has tasked the FDFA with submitting a dispatch to Parliament in the first quarter of 2027, seeking approval for the necessary commitment appropriation. During his visit to Saudi Arabia on 23 April 2026, President Guy Parmelin officially informed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Federal Council’s decision.
Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Geneva: Switzerland focuses on effectiveness and local implementation of the SDGs
How can the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development be effectively advanced through innovative approaches? This was the focus of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regional Forum on Sustainable Development on 21 and 22 April 2026. “Implementing the goals requires the cooperation of all state and non-state actors,” said Markus Reubi, Federal Council delegate for the 2030 Agenda and head of the Swiss delegation.
Package Switzerland-EU: Federal Council approves agreement on the involvement of the cantons
At its meeting on 22 April 2026, the Federal Council approved the agreement between the federal government and the cantons on their involvement in the context of the package ‘Stabilisation and further development of relations between Switzerland and the EU (Bilaterals III)’. Among other things, it is intended to ensure that the cantons are involved in the application of the institutional elements of the single market agreements – such as the dynamic alignment of legislation or the settlement of disputes. Approval was granted subject to the outcome of the parliamentary deliberations on the package Switzerland-EU.
Presentation of credentials
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present credentials
Switzerland is working to strengthen the implementation of the principle of precaution in armed conflicts
From 21 to 30 April 2026, Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will be organising a meeting of state experts on international humanitarian law (IHL). This meeting, the third of its kind, will enable participants to share their experience in the practical implementation of the principle of precaution, a fundamental element in the protection of the civilian population in armed conflicts.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attends Antalya Diplomacy Forum
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, will take part in the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, to be held from 17 to 19 April 2026. This occasion will allow him to discuss the conflict in the Middle East with his counterparts in the region. He will also hold a series of talks in his capacity as Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans receive Baden-Württemberg Minister-President
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, and Federal Councillor Beat Jans, the head of the FDJP, met with Baden-Württemberg Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann in Bern on Thursday 16 April. During the meeting, the delegations praised the excellent relations between Switzerland and the neighbouring German Federal State. Mr Cassis welcomed the closer cooperation in the fields of education, research and innovation (ERI).
Third anniversary of the outbreak of war in Sudan: Switzerland continues to provide humanitarian aid and seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict
Switzerland is allocating around CHF 23 million in 2026 to support people in Sudan and the region with the humanitarian emergency they are facing. This was announced by Tim Enderlin, the head of the Peace and Human Rights Division at the FDFA and head of the Swiss delegation at the Sudan Conference in Berlin. Switzerland’s support focuses on securing food supplies and livelihoods, the protection of the civilian population and peacebuilding. In December 2025, in view of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Sudan and neighbouring countries – to which many people have fled from Sudan – Parliament approved an emergency aid credit of CHF 50 million.
Switzerland at 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings and G20 Finance Ministers Meeting in Washington
President Guy Parmelin and Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, as well as Martin Schlegel, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington from 15 to 17 April 2026. A meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, as well as a ministerial meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will also take place during the Spring Meetings. The Swiss delegation, led by Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, will additionally take the opportunity to hold bilateral talks.
Switzerland's official development assistance reached 0.46% of GNI in 2025
Official development assistance (ODA) saw an unprecedented decline worldwide in 2025. Switzerland remains a significant donor country: Swiss ODA amounted to CHF 3.8 billion, or 0.46% of gross national income (GNI). This figure fell by around 7% compared to the previous year, mainly due to lower asylum-related costs. ODA includes expenditure eligible for ODA from the Swiss Confederation, cantons and municipalities.
Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans meet with Algerian foreign minister, Ahmed Attaf
On 2 April 2026, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, received the Algerian minister of state and foreign minister Ahmed Attaf, on an official working visit to Bern. Discussions focused on the revitalisation of cooperation between Switzerland and Algeria and on international matters. Federal Councillor Beat Jans also held talks with Mr Attaf, focusing on cooperation in the fields of migration, security and justice.
Switzerland seen from abroad in 2025: excellent reputation among the public; response to US tariffs in the media spotlight
Bern, 01.04.2026 – The ways in which Switzerland tackled unexpected challenges in 2025 shaped perceptions of the country in the foreign media. The strongest media response focused on its reactions to US tariffs. Switzerland's image internationally among the general public was excellent. At its meeting on 1 April 2026, the Federal Council was briefed on the results of the annual analysis of perceptions of Switzerland internationally in 2025.
Nuclear Weapons Ban Initiative: Federal Council recommends rejection without counter-proposal
At its meeting on 1 April 2026, the Federal Council decided to recommend that the popular initiative ‘For the accession of Switzerland to the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (Nuclear Weapons Ban Initiative)’ be rejected by the people and the cantons without a counter-proposal. It has instructed the FDFA to submit a dispatch to Parliament by autumn. The Federal Council is clearly in favour of the goal of a world without nuclear weapons. However, Switzerland's accession to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons would be a purely symbolic act that cannot contribute to this goal. Accession could even be detrimental to Switzerland's security. Switzerland is already committed to the disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons within the framework of the UN Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
G7 summit in Évian: Confederation to contribute to security costs
The G7 summit, organised by France, will take place from 15 to 17 June 2026 in Évian, near the border with Switzerland. In a context of heightened global tensions, the summit requires exceptional security measures, in Switzerland as well. The cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Valais have therefore asked for support from the Confederation. At its meeting on 1 April 2026, the Federal Council decided that the Confederation will contribute to the security costs borne by the three cantons.
Switzerland renews its delegation to the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Switzerland has officially renewed its delegation to the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE) for the period 2026–31. The appointments will ensure Switzerland maintains its presence at the CLRAE's 50th session, scheduled for the end of March 2026.
Angola, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso: Ignazio Cassis holds talks on the economy, science and security
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has just completed visits to three economic heavyweights in Africa: Angola, Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire. In addition to trade and economic affairs, his political discussions also focused on security issues and cooperation in the field of science. The fourth country that Mr Cassis will visit tomorrow is Burkina Faso, where the focus will be on international cooperation: The head of the FDFA will visit a project supported by Switzerland that uses digital technology to give people better access to financial services and loans, thereby improving local economic prospects.
Medien & Aktualität
Aktuelles, Informationen und Kontakte: Alle wichtigen Informationen für Medienvertreterinnen und Medienvertreter zum Eidgenössischen Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten auf einen Blick.
Contact
General Secretariat GS-FDFA
Federal Palace West
3003 Bern