Press releases

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UN Sustainable Development Goals: Switzerland calls on all stakeholders to step up cooperation

18.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
This year's High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is taking place from 14 to 23 July 2025 at the UN headquarters in New York. The Swiss delegation is being led by Markus Reubi, the Federal Council Delegate for the 2030 Agenda at the FDFA and will focus on economic growth and decent work.

State Secretary for Security Policy to travel to Chisinau for security policy dialogue with Moldova

17.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Markus Mäder, State Secretary for Security Policy, will hold talks on current security policy developments and bilateral cooperation with his counterparts in Chisinau (Moldova) from 17 to 18 July.

Victims of National Socialism: Call for proposals to design the memorial in Bern

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
In April 2023, the Federal Council decided to establish a memorial in the centre of Bern for the victims of National Socialism. The Federal Council considers it vital to keep alive the memory of the consequences of National Socialism, as well as the fate of the six million Jews and all other victims of the Nazi regime. On the recommendation of the communal parliament of the City of Bern, the Casinoterrasse near the Federal Parliament was selected as the location for the site of remembrance. A call is now being organised to gather proposals for the its creation from multidisciplinary teams in the fields of art, architecture and history.

Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to reconstruction at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) has been held since 2022 to coordinate reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. At this year's conference, which took place in Rome from 10 to 11 July, the head of the Swiss delegation, Jacques Gerber, signed an international treaty with Ukraine. This forms the legal basis for increased cooperation with the Swiss private sector in reconstruction. Projects in the areas of health, education and war risk insurance were also approved.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Conference: global security and bilateral relations at centre of talks

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 10 and 11 July, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Malaysia. His participation underlines South East Asia's growing economic importance to Switzerland. Mr Cassis used the platform to discuss economic ties, bilateral relations and global challenges with his counterparts from Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore. For the first time, he also met the new Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand on the margins of the conference.

Strengthening economic ties is focus of talks by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in Nepal and Bhutan

09.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visited Nepal and Bhutan during his week-long trip to Asia from 7 to 9 July. The official talks with government representatives centred on bilateral relations and opportunities for deeper economic cooperation.

Les droits des femmes et la non-discrimination au cœur du travail de la Suisse pendant la 59e session du Conseil des droits de l’homme.

08.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Dans un contexte global marqué par le recul de l’Etat de droit, la Suisse travaille avec détermination en faveur des droits de l’homme. Pour cette 59ème session du Conseil des droits de l’homme (CDH) des Nations Unies, un accent particulier a été placé sur la promotion des droits des femmes et de l’égalité de genre, ainsi que sur les droits des personnes LGBT. La session, qui s'est clôturée aujourd’hui après trois semaines et demie de débats, a été marquée par une adaptation du travail imposée par les restrictions budgétaires affectant l’ensemble du système onusien.

Switzerland reopens its embassy in Iran – ambassador returns to Tehran

06.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
As of today, 6 July 2025, the Swiss embassy in Tehran is open again after having temporarily closed on 20 June due to the unstable situation in Iran. Ambassador Nadine Olivieri Lozano and a small team returned to Tehran yesterday overland via Azerbaijan. The embassy will gradually resume operations.

Ignazio Cassis in Asia for ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and bilateral talks

03.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, will be travelling to Asia from 7 to 13 July 2025. He will attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. His participation highlights the growing economic and geopolitical importance of the South East Asian states. Official working visits to Nepal, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore are also planned around the conference.

Presentation of credentials

02.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present their credentials

FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel in Germany for political consultations

01.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Alexandre Fasel, the state secretary of the FDFA, was in Berlin on 1 July 2025 to hold political consultations with his German counterpart, the state secretary of the Federal Foreign Office, Géza Andreas von Geyr. Talks focused on current geopolitical developments, bilateral issues and the opening of the consultation procedure in Switzerland on the agreements in the new Swiss-EU package. Mr Fasel also met with the state secretary of Germany's Federal Chancellery, Jörg Semmler.

Switzerland attends 4th International Conference on Financing for Development

30.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland will be participating in the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain, from 30 June to 3 July 2025. Organised under the auspices of the United Nations, this global event aims to address financing challenges in order to help achieve the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals. The conference will cover a wide range of issues relating to development policy, environmental, economic and social sustainability, and macroeconomics. The Swiss delegation is being led by Patricia Danzi, director general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Media (3506)

Switzerland is ready for Sochi

05.12.2013 — Press releases EDA
Presence Switzerland, which is part of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), presented a broad outline of the activities it has planned for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. Our winter sports athletes have gotten off to a very good start this season, giving us reason to hope for numerous medals, which will be celebrated in the House of Switzerland Russia 2014 at the heart of the Olympic Park. Proud of its traditions yet focused on innovation, Switzerland will take advantage of this global media event to showcase its economic, political, touristic and scientific strengths to visitors of the Olympic Games. During the games, Switzerland will also kick off the celebrations – in the presence of the president of the Swiss Confederation – to mark 200 years of bilateral relations with Russia.

Upcoming OSCE chairmanship: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter to represent Switzerland at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Kiev

04.12.2013 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will take part in the Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Kiev on 5 and 6 December. The two-day conference of the foreign ministers of the 57 OSCE member states is the culmination of the Ukrainian chairmanship of the OSCE and marks the transition to Switzerland's chairmanship, which will begin on 1 January 2014. With its chairmanship of the OSCE in 2014, Switzerland will strengthen its commitment to stability in Europe, its neighbouring regions and the rest of the world.

Switzerland increases its commitment to development and gender equality

29.11.2013 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council is strengthening Switzerland's commitment to development and gender equality via the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), in order to make an even more decisive contribution to reducing poverty, eliminating discrimination and improving the situation of disadvantaged women and girls. To this end and based on its positive assessment of the effectiveness of these organisations, Switzerland is increasing its overall contribution to UNDP and UN Women. Its funding to UNDP is to go up from CHF 54 million to CHF 60 million per year for 2013 and 2014. The amount to UN Women will go up to CHF 12 million for 2013 and CHF 14 million for 2014. The Federal Council's decision takes due account of these organisations' important mandates and the express will of the Swiss Parliament, which increased the framework credit for international development cooperation for the 2013-2016 period.

Temporary visa facilitation for Syrian nationals lifted

29.11.2013 — Press releases EDA
On 4 September 2013, the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) ordered an easing of visa requirements for Syrian nationals with relatives in Switzerland. This measure was aimed at facilitating temporary stay for war-afflicted relatives of Syrians living in Switzerland. As most of the relatives who were in direct need and therefore entitled to facilitated visa requirements have since made use of the measure, the directive was lifted on Friday by the FDJP.

UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance: result of the consultation process and Federal Council dispatch

29.11.2013 — Press releases EDA
Through the ratification of the UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, the Federal Council intends to support international efforts to fight enforced disappearance. Today, it submitted a dispatch for the ratification of the convention and for legislation on the implementation provisions.

Human rights dialogue between Switzerland and China

28.11.2013 — Press releases EDA
From 25 to 27 November 2013, Switzerland and China held their 12th round of human rights talks in Beijing. The discussions, which took place in an open and constructive atmosphere, focused on the judicial and criminal justice system, international human rights mechanisms, human rights in the economy and minority rights. Technical cooperation to promote human rights and concrete projects were also discussed.

High-level consultations between Switzerland and South Africa

26.11.2013 — Press releases EDA
The 5th session of the South Africa-Switzerland High-Level consultations taking place in Fribourg was co-chaired by Mr Yves Rossier, Swiss State Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Mr Marius Fransman, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa. The high-level representatives of both countries agreed on principles that underscored their conviction that the enhancement of bilateral economic relations and scientific cooperation be pursued and their intention to intensify cooperation at regional and multilateral levels.

Federal Council recommends rejection of the

25.11.2013 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council recommends the rejection of the "Stop mass immigration” Initiative, which is being put to a popular vote on 9 February 2014. The initiative calls for quotas for all foreign nationals. This would be a reversal of the current proven system of admission and would make it difficult for businesses to recruit the staff they require from abroad. Furthermore, it would jeopardise the bilateral agreements and consequently relations with the European Union.

Iran nuclear talks: Switzerland hails win for diplomacy and security (last modification, the 24.11.2013)

24.11.2013 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland welcomes the announcement by the E3/EU+3 and Iran of a joint action plan following talks in Geneva between 20 and 24 November 2013. This agreement is a victory for diplomacy, proving that the pursuit of a diplomatic path can contribute to improving security across the world, particularly in the Middle East. As a longstanding advocate of diplomatic channels, Switzerland has declared its readiness to again provide its good offices for all subsequent meetings.

National conference on gender-based violence

22.11.2013 — Press releases EDA
Domestic violence, genital mutilation, forced marriage and human trafficking: Gender-based violence exists in various forms and occurs in all countries. In Switzerland, on average one person is killed in incidents involving domestic violence every two weeks, two out of three victims are women. At a conference today co-hosted by the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), some 180 specialists from all parts of Switzerland have met in Bern to share experiences and discuss the opportunities and challenges of international agreements for Switzerland on fighting gender-based violence.

OSCE Secretary-General Lamberto Zannier on working visit to Switzerland

22.11.2013 — Press releases EDA
With a view to Switzerland’s upcoming chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), OSCE Secretary-General Lamberto Zannier was received on 22 November 2013 by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter in Neuchâtel on a working visit. Mr Burkhalter, who will be OSCE chairman-in-office next year, and Mr Zannier used the meeting to discuss how they will work together and to exchange views on a variety of topics that will be of significance during Switzerland’s chairmanship in 2014.

Switzerland condemns attack in Lebanon

20.11.2013 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) condemns in the strongest terms the double attack carried out on Tuesday 19 November 2013 in front of the Iranian embassy in Lebanon. No act of terrorism can be justified. The FDFA expresses its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

Other news (151)

SwissInTouch, Switzerland in your pocket

24.11.2022 — Article EDA
Approximately 780,000 Swiss citizens abroad currently benefit from the wide range of services provided by a global network of representations offering advice and support. The FDFA Helpline is also on hand to answer queries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Now there's a new app that makes staying in touch even easier: SwissInTouch keeps Switzerland at your fingertips.

Speech - 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki

29.01.2022 — EDA
Allocution du président de la Confédération Ignazio Cassis, chef du Département fédéral des affaires étrangères, à l’occasion du 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki - Check against delivery.

"Digitalisation - an opportunity for Europe's democratic values"

21.05.2021 — EDA
Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), on the occasion of the 131st (virtual) Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Check against delivery.

Official opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel

04.09.2020 — EDA
Camorino, 04.09.2020 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony "Ceneri2020" - Check against delivery

Passaggio di testimone tra generazioni (de-fr-it)

25.08.2020 — EDA
Bern, 25.08.2020: Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the retirement of the ambassadors and the welcoming of the young diplomats who are taking up their posts in the service of the FDFA. Check against delivery.

75 years of the United Nations (fr)

26.06.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 26.06.2020: Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter - Check against delivery

Opening of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council (fr)

24.02.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 24.02.2020 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

Discover the world with the FDFA and with peace mind

17.01.2020 — Article EDA
Just what is the perfect trip abroad? And where would it take you? Swiss travellers have different needs and expectations – some prefer to go on their own, others would rather choose an organised tour. It doesn't matter if you're a backpacker or a jet-setter: the FDFA provides a wide range of services for anyone who wants to travel abroad.

Switzerland and Italy reach an agreement on Campione d'Italia

20.12.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 20 December 2019, the Federal Council approved an exchange of notes between Switzerland and Italy regarding the change of the customs status of the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia. This exchange of notes is necessary to ensure legal certainty and facilitates the transition of Campione d'Italia into the European Union's customs territory, scheduled for 1 January 2020.

Third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation

19.12.2019 — EDA
On 16 and 17 December 2019 a third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee, supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation on the basic principles for a mechanism of customs administration and monitoring of trade in goods, signed on 9 November 2011, took place in Bern.

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brings together actors committed to finding shared solutions

17.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened the Global Refugee Forum together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The purpose of the forum, which takes place on 17 and 18 December at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, is to find shared solutions to meet the needs of refugees and their host communities.

Federal Council extends freeze on assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council decided to extend for one year the preventive freeze on the assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine. The purpose of this decision is to support the judicial cooperation between Switzerland and these two states.

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