Press releases

Federal Council reaffirms support for three international humanitarian organisations

16.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 16 April 2025, the Federal Council decided to allocate a total of almost CHF 250 million to support the operations of Switzerland's three main humanitarian partners for 2025 and 2026. The funding will benefit the World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Switzerland is thus reaffirming its support for key humanitarian organisations that provide urgently needed assistance worldwide.

'From Heidi to High Tech': the Swiss pavilion opens its doors at Osaka World Expo 2025

13.04.2025 — Press releases EDA

The Swiss pavilion was inaugurated on Sunday 13 April in the presence of the president of the National Council, Maja Riniker. An immersive exhibition entitled 'From Heidi to High Tech' showcases Switzerland's diversity and outstanding features: from its iconic Alpine heritage to its status as a world centre for innovation and cutting-edge technology. Presence Switzerland, which is part of the FDFA General Secretariat, is responsible for Switzerland's presence in Osaka. FDFA General Secretary Markus Seiler also attended the inauguration of the World Expo in Osaka, representing the FDFA.

Switzerland–EU: Federal Council approves EU Programmes Agreement

10.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 9 April 2025, the Federal Council approved the EU Programmes Agreement (EUPA) along with the associated protocols on education, research, innovation and health. It also authorised Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to sign the agreement. Signature of the EUPA will enable Swiss association in Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme and the Digital Europe Programme to be applied retroactively from 1 January 2025. The agreement will come into effect following ratification of the Switzerland-EU package

Federal Council reaffirms its support for UNDP

09.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 9 April 2025, the Federal Council approved a contribution of CHF 31.8 million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and CHF 2 million to the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), thereby reaffirming Switzerland's support for sustainable development, the fight against poverty and multilateralism. The UNDP and UNCDF play a key role in implementing the 2030 Agenda, supporting governments in their efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Swiss–US relations: Federal Council establishes steering body

09.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 9 April 2025, the Federal Council took the decision to set up a project structure responsible for steering Swiss–US relations. The body, which will be led by the head of the FDFA, will operate until the end of 2025 and involve all departments.

Ignazio Cassis to attend Antalya Diplomacy Forum

08.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will represent Switzerland at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which will be held in Turkey from 11 to 13 April. Mr Cassis will have discussions on geopolitical challenges during the forum, including a meeting with the Turkish foreign minister, Hakan Fidan. Prior to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Mr Cassis will visit the Turkish capital Ankara to attend an event marking the 100th anniversary of the signing of the treaty of friendship between Switzerland and Turkey.

Switzerland gains ground in promoting its human rights priorities

04.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
After six weeks of work, the first session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) chaired by a Swiss national has drawn to a close at the UN in Geneva. Swiss diplomat Jürg Lauber led the deliberations of the 58th session of the HRC, during which the 47 member states, including Switzerland, discussed several critical global challenges, including those in Ukraine, the Middle East and Syria. On the latter, steps on a possible path towards peace and stability were taken. Efforts to abolish the death penalty – one of Switzerland's priorities – also continued to make headway.

Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Geneva: Switzerland calls for joint efforts by all actors to achieve goals of 2030 Agenda

03.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
How can we move forward with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in a time dominated by crises and conflict? This was the focus of the UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development on 2 and 3 April 2025. As explained by the head of the Swiss delegation, Federal Council Delegate for the 2030 Agenda Markus Reubi, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can only be implemented if all actors work together. This includes states, regions, cities, civil society, and the academic and business communities.

Switzerland and EU initial agreement on programmes

02.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 2 April, the chief negotiators from Switzerland and the European Union initialled an agreement in Brussels on Switzerland’s participation in EU programmes. The agreement comes into force once the overall Switzerland-EU package has been ratified, but could already be applied provisionally after the signing, which is due to take place in November.

Earthquake in Myanmar: FDFA releases CHF 2.5 million and steps up its support

01.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
The number of dead and injured continues to rise following the earthquake in Myanmar. The disaster has worsened an already precarious humanitarian situation, exacerbated by an armed conflict that has lasted several years. To meet these new needs, Switzerland is releasing CHF 2.5 million and is making specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) available to UN agencies.

Working meeting between Ignazio Cassis and Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger

01.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met with his Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Bern on Tuesday. This is the first visit to Switzerland by Austria's new minister for European and international affairs. Discussions focused on bilateral relations, European policy and security, and current international affairs.

Humanitarian office in Kabul opens

31.03.2025 — Press releases EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is once again represented in Afghanistan. A team of experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) has opened a Swiss humanitarian office in Kabul. This local presence will facilitate targeted support for the Afghan population in need. The humanitarian office is using the premises of the former Swiss cooperation office that was closed after the Taliban seized power in August 2021.

Statement by the FDFA on an article in

02.10.2009 — Press releases EDA

Earthquake in Indonesia: Switzerland sends Swiss rescue

02.10.2009 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland has responded to an international appeal by the Indonesian government by sending a team of seven experts to Sumatra, Indonesia, to prepare the subsequent measures by Swiss Rescue. From Friday 2 October probably about 120 Swiss Rescue specialists will be deployed in Indonesia.

2009 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Istanbul

02.10.2009 — Press releases EDA
President Hans-Rudolf Merz as head of the delegation, State Secretary Jean-Pierre Gerber, SECO Director, and Jean-Pierre Roth, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), will take part in the joint Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Istanbul from 3 - 7 October 2009. The most important topics of discussion in the meetings of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) will be the current global economic prospects and the outlook for financial markets. In addition, the Committee will discuss the mandate and the governance of the Monetary Fund. The focus of the discussions in the Development Committee will be an examination of the financial resources and the current governance reforms in the World Bank.

Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey holds meetings Geneva Talks 2

02.10.2009 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), today met representatives of both parties participating in yesterday's Geneva Talks 2.

Swiss aid for flood victims in the Philippines

01.10.2009 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland has contributed a total amount of CHF 450,000 as immediate aid for the flood victims in the Philippines. The Humanitarian Aid of the Confederation immediately approved this emergency aid and has also sent experts to assess the extent of the damage together with Red Cross experts in the Philippines.

FDFA deeply concerned about the violence in Guinea

30.09.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is deeply concerned about the situation in Guinea. In addition to its lack of progress in restoring democratic rule in Guinea, the government is increasingly resorting to the use of force in order to crush protest actions initiated by the opposition.

Geneva Talks 2: Meeting on security and nuclear issues

24.09.2009 — Press releases EDA
The European Union and Iran have asked Switzerland to organise a meeting between the EU High Representative, Javier Solana, and the Iranian chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili. The meeting will take place in Geneva on 1 October 2009.

The 2009 Foreign Policy Report

23.09.2009 — Press releases EDA
Key foreign policy objectives such as security and continued prosperity essentially depend on greater international co-operation and inherent strength of the international system. At the same time, international co-operation has become both more complex and demanding. The 2009 Foreign Policy Report, which was approved by the Federal Council on 2 September 2009, notes in response to such developments that a strong and active foreign policy is necessary to ensure that Switzerland can efficiently and effectively safeguard its interests in the international context. The report was transmitted to the Parliament on Tuesday (to the Foreign Policy Commissions). It will be published on 29 September in the Federal Gazette.

The President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev, tours Central Switzerland

22.09.2009 — Press releases EDA
On the second day of his state visit to Switzerland, the President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev visited the Suvorov Monument near Andermatt as a guest of the President of the Confederation, Hans-Rudolf Merz. In the final stage of the state visit, the two Heads of State travelled down the valley of the River Reuss in the Canton of Uri to the Federal Charter Museum in Schwyz. President Medvedev and his wife left Switzerland at the end of the afternoon.

First day of the state visit of the President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev

21.09.2009 — Press releases EDA
On the first day of the state visit, the Federal Council headed by the President of the Confederation, Hans-Rudolf Merz, received the President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev, in Bern. The official talks focused on the good state of bilateral relations, the world economic situation, as well as questions concerning international security. At the end of the talks, four co-operation agreements between the two countries were signed.

Delegation of the Federal Council to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York

18.09.2009 — Press releases EDA
The general debate of the 64th General Assembly of the United Nations opens on 23 September 2009. It will last until 30 September 2009 and will be attended by Heads of State and Government, as well as by ministers from over 190 UN member states. The President of the Confederation, Hans-Rudolf Merz, and the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Micheline Calmy-Rey, will represent Switzerland at the general debate. On 22 September 2009, Moritz Leuenberger, Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), will participate in a high-level meeting convened by the UN Secretary General to discuss the issue of climate change.

Swiss candidate for the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly: former Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss

17.09.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council has decided to present former Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss as a candidate for the presidency of the 65th United Nations General Assembly from September 2010 to September 2011. Mr Deiss has declared his willingness to stand as a candidate.

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

SDC Newsletter: Africa, CO2 reduction and WEF

29.01.2020 — DEZA
The FDFA has showcased some innovative technology at the 50th WEF, which could reduce global CO2 emissions by millions of tonnes per year. The SDC undertakes a range of projects in the construction industry, working in cooperation with academia and the private sector. The aim of these projects, which are located in emerging economies, is to tackle global warming effectively.

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.

Honeyland Oscar nominee

14.01.2020 — Article DEZA
Honeyland has been nominated for an Oscar in the categories Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary.  The film’s hero, Hatidze Muratova, champions environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources. She was discovered through the Nature Conservation Programme launched by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

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.