Press releases
The media releases in chronological order by the Federal Departement for Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to visit the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea
The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, will visit the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea from 29 to 31 October 2026. From 29 to 30 October, Mr Cassis will be in attendance for the official reopening of the Swiss diplomatic office in Pyongyang and will hold political talks with the authorities of the DPRK. He will then travel to Seoul, where he will meet with representatives of the Republic of Korea's authorities. This visit forms part of Switzerland's long-standing commitment to peace on the Korean peninsula.
30 years of the Partnership for Peace: visit to Switzerland by ambassadors from NATO member states
To mark the 30th anniversary of the Partnership for Peace between Switzerland and NATO, representatives from 27 NATO member states visited Switzerland from 21 to 23 October. The focus was on the long-standing cooperation with NATO and its further development in light of the changing security situation in Europe. The ambassadors were given an insight into specific aspects of Swiss security policy and cooperation with NATO. The visit also provided an opportunity for high-level discussions.
Ignazio Cassis meets Finnish foreign minister in Bern
During a working lunch, discussions between the head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, and the Finnish minister for foreign affairs, Elina Valtonen, focused on bilateral relations between Switzerland and Finland, the security situation in Europe, as well as the war in Ukraine. The talks also touched on the OSCE, which Finland chaired in 2025 and which Switzerland is chairing this year.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to visit Madrid and Andorra la Vella
Mr Cassis will be in Spain and Andorra from 22 to 23 October 2026. In Madrid he will meet his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares Bueno. He will then visit the Principality of Andorra on 23 October for meetings with the prime minister, Xavier Espot Zamora, and the minister of foreign affairs, Imma Tor Faus, in the capital, Andorra la Vella. Discussions in both countries will focus on bilateral relations, European policy and geopolitical challenges.
19th round of the human rights dialogue between Switzerland and China
The 19th round of the bilateral human rights dialogue between Switzerland and China took place on 19 and 20 October 2026 in Switzerland. The delegations held an open and critical discussion on the human rights situation in both countries and on current international challenges. Key areas of focus included the protection of minorities and the impact of artificial intelligence on human rights.
Switzerland and UN strengthen coordination of peace efforts in Sudan
Switzerland and the United Nations are organising an international meeting in Geneva on 21 October 2026 focusing on peace efforts in Sudan. This sixth consultative meeting brings together states and international organisations working to find a solution to the conflict. As the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, the meeting aims to strengthen the coordination of diplomatic initiatives, promote de-escalation and support an inclusive political process.
Federal Councillors Ignazio Cassis and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider receive Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula
On 19 October 2026, Mr Cassis received the Colombian foreign minister, Omar Bula, for a working meeting in Bern. Discussions focused on bilateral relations, Swiss support to Colombia following the earthquake in August 2026, as well as peace and security in the country and wider region. Prior to this, Mr Bula met with Ms Baume-Schneider to sign a bilateral social security agreement and discuss cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Ignazio Cassis in Georgia: discussions focus on regional security and role of OSCE
Federal Councillor and head of the FDFA Ignazio Cassis was in Tbilisi on 16 October for meetings with the Georgian minister of foreign affairs, Maka Botchorishvili, and the prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze. Discussions focused on regional security, efforts to address the consequences of the 2008 war, and the role of the OSCE, which Switzerland is chairing this year. Further topics included Switzerland's protecting power mandates and the prospects for strengthening bilateral relations.
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel chairs strategic dialogue between Switzerland and UK in Bern
On Friday 16 October 2026 in Bern, FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel received Stewart Wood, Lord Wood of Anfield, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom, for the annual strategic dialogue between Switzerland and the UK. This year's talks focused on bilateral matters and on the challenging geopolitical context.
Sixth GESDA summit in Geneva: anticipating scientific advances strengthens international cooperation
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel represented the FDFA at the sixth summit of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA), which concluded in Geneva on 15 October 2026. Over the course of two days, over 1,000 representatives from the private sector, philanthropy, science, diplomacy and politics discussed the implications of future scientific and technological breakthroughs. The focus was on how the opportunities and risks of new developments can be identified at an early stage and shaped collectively.
Ignazio Cassis meets with Armenian prime minister and foreign minister in Yerevan
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis was in Yerevan on 15 October for meetings with the Armenian prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, and the minister of foreign affairs, Ararat Mirzoian. Discussions focused on the prospects for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the strengthening of bilateral relations between Switzerland and Armenia and security challenges in Europe. In his capacity as chairman-in-office of the OSCE, Mr Cassis emphasised the importance of dialogue in consolidating peace and stability in the region.
Switzerland and Thailand underscore opportunities offered by free trade
President Guy Parmelin met with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in Bangkok on Thursday, 15 October, during his official visit to Thailand. The talks focused on bilateral relations, the free trade agreement negotiated between the European Free Trade Association and Thailand, and current international affairs. President Parmelin will then pay a presidential visit to Vietnam and, together with the EFTA partners, sign a free trade agreement.
New agreement on digital trade
On 14 October, the Federal Council launched the consultation process on the plurilateral Agreement on Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce Agreement, ECA). The ECA establishes a common regulatory framework for digital trade among 67 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and enhances legal certainty for businesses. The consultation procedure will run until 28 January 2027.
Anticipating tech developments: science meets diplomacy at sixth GESDA summit in Geneva
On 14 and 15 October 2026, the sixth summit of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) will take place in Geneva. GESDA was founded by the Swiss Confederation in collaboration with the Canton of Geneva and the City of Geneva. The summit will bring together over 1,000 representatives from science, diplomacy, politics, the private sector and philanthropy. The aim is to identify scientific and technological breakthroughs in the areas of people, machines, life, the planet and society at an early stage and to promote international dialogue on their implications for society. State Secretary Alexandre Fasel will represent the FDFA at the summit.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to visit Armenia and Georgia
Ignazio Cassis will visit Armenia and Georgia from 14 to 16 October 2026 in his capacity as head of the FDFA and chairman-in-office of the OSCE. The situation in the South Caucasus, the role of the OSCE and bilateral relations will be at the heart of the discussions.
Switzerland promotes dialogue and mediation at the Geneva Peace Forum
The Geneva Peace Forum will take place at the Geneva International Conference Centre from 12 to 15 October 2026. The event, taking place this year under the motto ‘Choose Peace’, brings together representatives from politics, international organisations, civil society and academia. The FDFA is one of the forum’s strategic partners, as the promotion of peace and prosperity is a foreign policy priority for Switzerland. State Secretary Alexandre Fasel will speak at the opening and take part in a high-level panel discussion on peace mediation.
Ukraine reconstruction agreement enters into force
The bilateral agreement establishes the legal basis for greater involvement of Swiss companies in rebuilding Ukraine's infrastructure and economy.
The impact of AI on human rights
The 63rd session of the Human Rights Council, which has concluded in Geneva, focused on examining artificial intelligence (AI) and the risks it poses to human rights, as well as the opportunities it offers for strengthening their protection. Switzerland led a coalition of states that brought about the adoption of two resolutions on transitional justice, an area in which AI has the potential to make a major difference.
Swiss OSCE chairpersonship presents roadmap for the prevention and eradication of torture
In its role as chair of the OSCE for 2026, Switzerland today is presenting a roadmap at the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, setting out how torture can be prevented more effectively, how ill-treatment can be consistently prosecuted, and how victims can be better protected.
OSCE press release on the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference
The conference provides a platform for participating States, OSCE institutions and structures, national human rights institutions and civil society to take stock of the implementation of OSCE human dimension commitments and discuss developments affecting democracy, human rights and the rule of law across the OSCE region. The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Ignazio Cassis (via video message), the OSCE Secretary-General, Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu, and the FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel also took part in the conference.
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