Here you can find the last 12 media releases and other news published by the FDFA, such as statements, announcements and articles, in chronological order.
All media releases can be found on the News Service of the Federal Administration.
03.04.2013
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland spent CHF 2,833 million of official development assistance (ODA) in 2012, an increase of 4,7% compared with 2011. In international terms, with an ODA of 0.45% of gross national income (GNI), Switzerland is 10th out of the 24 member countries of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee, which published its rankings on 3 April.
27.03.2013
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Press releases
EDA
The background report on commodities prepared under the aegis of three government departments (FDFA, FDF, EAER) highlights the economic importance of the commodities industry for Switzerland. The report shows that Switzerland already does a great deal to safeguard its competitiveness and its integrity as a business location, including the commodity trading sector. A set of targeted recommendations should further improve conditions and reduce various risks including those to reputation.
27.03.2013
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council pledged today a Headquarters contribution of CHF 70 million to the ICRC for the current year. This support will be provided from the framework credit of Switzerland’s humanitarian aid.
27.03.2013
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland will continue its support for the poorest countries of Asia through its development cooperation. The Federal Council ruled on March 27 to pledge CHF 48 million to the Asian Development Fund over the next four years. The fund supports the poorest developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.
22.03.2013
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Press releases
EDA
The SDC opens a new cooperation office on Thursday 21 March 2013 in Phnom Penh. This inauguration marks the official launch of a new Swiss cooperation programme in Cambodia focusing on agriculture and food security, local government and citizens’ participation, and job creation and professional training. This engagement is part of Switzerland’s new regional cooperation strategy for the Mekong region in the period 2013-2017.
22.03.2013
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Press releases
EDA
The human rights violations in Syria are to be transferred to international jurisdiction. A resolution to that effect was passed today in Geneva by the UN Human Rights Council. Switzerland takes a positive view of the results achieved at the 22nd regular session of the Human Rights Council, which closes today. Among other things, the Human Rights Council adopted the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Switzerland.
22.03.2013
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Press releases
EDA
During an international meeting on water cooperation in The Hague today, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter stressed the importance of improving the water supply throughout the world. He said that the diversity and the number of future challenges around the issue of water mean that this should be an international priority. This is the goal of this meeting, which is part of the consultation process on water in order to produce a definition for the new United Nations Agenda for the fight against poverty.
21.03.2013
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Press releases
EDA
On 21st March 2013, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received his Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkēvičs for an official working visit. In addition to bilateral relations, the talks in Bern covered the European policy of both countries, aspects of multilateral cooperation, and current international issues.
21.03.2013
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Press releases
EDA
On the occasion of World Water Day 2013, which will take place on 22 March, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will participate in the High-Level Meeting at an international conference on cooperation aimed at ensuring the supply of water for the entire planet.
16.03.2013
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Press releases
EDA
The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) ended its 57th Session on Friday in New York. This year’s session focused on the priority theme “Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls”. The Swiss Delegation welcomes the adoption of the Agreed Conclusions that strengthen the status and the rights of women and girls and frame international policies and actions for the fight against violence. Switzerland was successfully elected as a member of the CSW with voting rights for a four-year period beginning with the 58th Session. It was further elected to the CSW-Bureau on March 15th for a two year mandate.
15.03.2013
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Press releases
EDA
To mark the 150th anniversary of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter presented the president of the ICRC, Peter Maurer, with Switzerland’s gift of the financial resources needed to recruit and train 150 delegates for the ICRC, Switzerland’s most important humanitarian partner. Another highlight of the annual conference of Switerland’s Humanitarian Aid in the “Kursaal” in Bern was the theme: “Accessing the Victims – the Challenge”, which was addressed in a series of speeches, panel discussions and interviews.
14.03.2013
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Press releases
EDA
From today Switzerland will take over for one year the chairmanship of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. By signing up to this international initiative companies from the mining, oil and gas industries commit themselves to contribute in their activities at home and abroad to the protection of human rights and to the prevention of conflicts. This initiative is supported by governments, companies and civil society. The mining company Xstrata is the first company with headquarters in Switzerland to join the initiative.
Last update 23.04.2025
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