Press releases

Lebanon: Switzerland sends water and sanitation support

11.12.2024 — Press releases EDA
Since September 2024, developments in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel have led to the displacement of thousands of people inside Lebanon, depriving them of access to drinking water in particular. Faced with this situation, Switzerland has decided to provide additional expertise and equipment to support ongoing activities in the Bekaa Valley. The aim is to maintain equitable access to water for those affected.

Swiss diplomat Jürg Lauber elected Human Rights Council president

09.12.2024 — Press releases EDA
Jürg Lauber, who currently heads the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organisations in Geneva, has been elected to preside over the Human Rights Council (HRC) in 2025. The HRC is the UN's main human rights body. In October, Switzerland was re-elected to the council by the General Assembly for the 2025–27 period after an absence of six years.

Strategy for communication abroad: trust, innovation and Europe/G20 as priorities for 2025–28

06.12.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 6 December 2024, the Federal Council approved the Strategy for Communication Abroad 2025–28. The strategy outlines the thematic and geographical priorities for the coming years, with a focus on trust, innovation, and Europe and the G20 states. The objective is to strengthen Switzerland's image abroad, thereby helping the country safeguard its interests in the most effective way possible.

UN Security Council: humanitarian aid must reach those in need despite UN sanctions

06.12.2024 — Press releases EDA
Humanitarian aid often takes place in contexts affected by UN sanctions. On 6 December 2024, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution setting out humanitarian exemptions for all UN financial sanctions. The resolution underlines Switzerland's long-standing commitment to reducing the negative impact of sanctions on the civilian population and on humanitarian work. It protects the civilian population – a priority of the Federal Council for Switzerland's membership of the Council in 2023–24. Switzerland, together with the United States, put the resolution to the vote in the Security Council.

Strengthening bilateral relations and international cooperation: Ignazio Cassis makes official visit to Rome

29.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
During his two-day visit to Rome, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis opened the 7th Forum for Dialogue between Switzerland and Italy, together with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani. The two officials praised this platform, which was designed to further enhance bilateral relations. In Rome, the head of the FDFA also participated in the international congress on the abolition of the death penalty hosted by the Community of Sant’Egidio. Various other bilateral meetings with UN agencies were also on the agenda.

Dispatch on the Neutrality Initiative: Federal Council recommends rejection without counterproposal

27.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 27 November 2024, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the popular initiative 'Safeguarding Swiss neutrality' (Neutrality Initiative). It recommends that the Federal Assembly reject the initiative without a counterproposal. The Federal Council is of the opinion that enshrining a rigid understanding of neutrality in the Federal Constitution is not in Switzerland's interests and would restrict its room for manoeuvre in foreign policy terms.

Ignazio Cassis holds meeting with Maroš Šefčovič on 27 November 2024 in Bern

27.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, has met with Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commission's vice-president for interinstitutional relations and foresight. The exchange, which was held on 27 November in Bern, allowed the two politicians to take stock of the Swiss-EU negotiations and discuss the next steps, with the shared objective of concluding negotiations ideally by the end of the year.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to attend 7th Forum for Dialogue between Switzerland and Italy in Rome

26.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, will travel to Rome on 28 and 29 November to open the Forum for Dialogue between Switzerland and Italy together with Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani. On the margins of the forum, Mr Cassis will participate in an international congress on the abolition of the death penalty hosted by the Community of Sant'Egidio.

Presentation of credentials

26.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present their credentials

State Secretary Alexandre Fasel receives South Africa's deputy minister of foreign affairs Alvin Botes for political consultations

25.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
Alexandre Fasel, the state secretary of the FDFA, met today in Bern with South Africa's deputy minister of foreign affairs responsible for cooperation and international relations, Alvin Botes, for high-level political consultations. The discussions covered foreign policy issues and cooperation between Switzerland and South Africa in the areas of the economy, human rights, research and innovation.

Ignazio Cassis receives Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár in Bern

19.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, received Slovakia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanár in Bern on 19 November. Bilateral relations, Switzerland's European policy and the geopolitical situation, in particular the war in Ukraine, were key topics of discussion. Both delegations stressed the need for sound cooperation within multilateral bodies to promote peace and security in Europe.

State Secretary Alexandre Fasel travels to London for strategic dialogue between Switzerland and the UK

19.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
On Tuesday, 19 November 2024, the state secretary of the FDFA, Alexandre Fasel, travelled to London for the annual round of talks as part of the strategic dialogue between Switzerland and the UK. This year's discussions centred on bilateral issues, including the ongoing revision of the bilateral free trade agreement, and the current geopolitical context with its associated challenges.

Lebanon: Switzerland sends water and sanitation support

11.12.2024 — Press releases EDA
Since September 2024, developments in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel have led to the displacement of thousands of people inside Lebanon, depriving them of access to drinking water in particular. Faced with this situation, Switzerland has decided to provide additional expertise and equipment to support ongoing activities in the Bekaa Valley. The aim is to maintain equitable access to water for those affected.

Swiss diplomat Jürg Lauber elected Human Rights Council president

09.12.2024 — Press releases EDA
Jürg Lauber, who currently heads the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organisations in Geneva, has been elected to preside over the Human Rights Council (HRC) in 2025. The HRC is the UN's main human rights body. In October, Switzerland was re-elected to the council by the General Assembly for the 2025–27 period after an absence of six years.

Strategy for communication abroad: trust, innovation and Europe/G20 as priorities for 2025–28

06.12.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 6 December 2024, the Federal Council approved the Strategy for Communication Abroad 2025–28. The strategy outlines the thematic and geographical priorities for the coming years, with a focus on trust, innovation, and Europe and the G20 states. The objective is to strengthen Switzerland's image abroad, thereby helping the country safeguard its interests in the most effective way possible.

UN Security Council: humanitarian aid must reach those in need despite UN sanctions

06.12.2024 — Press releases EDA
Humanitarian aid often takes place in contexts affected by UN sanctions. On 6 December 2024, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution setting out humanitarian exemptions for all UN financial sanctions. The resolution underlines Switzerland's long-standing commitment to reducing the negative impact of sanctions on the civilian population and on humanitarian work. It protects the civilian population – a priority of the Federal Council for Switzerland's membership of the Council in 2023–24. Switzerland, together with the United States, put the resolution to the vote in the Security Council.

Strengthening bilateral relations and international cooperation: Ignazio Cassis makes official visit to Rome

29.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
During his two-day visit to Rome, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis opened the 7th Forum for Dialogue between Switzerland and Italy, together with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani. The two officials praised this platform, which was designed to further enhance bilateral relations. In Rome, the head of the FDFA also participated in the international congress on the abolition of the death penalty hosted by the Community of Sant’Egidio. Various other bilateral meetings with UN agencies were also on the agenda.

Dispatch on the Neutrality Initiative: Federal Council recommends rejection without counterproposal

27.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 27 November 2024, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the popular initiative 'Safeguarding Swiss neutrality' (Neutrality Initiative). It recommends that the Federal Assembly reject the initiative without a counterproposal. The Federal Council is of the opinion that enshrining a rigid understanding of neutrality in the Federal Constitution is not in Switzerland's interests and would restrict its room for manoeuvre in foreign policy terms.

Ignazio Cassis holds meeting with Maroš Šefčovič on 27 November 2024 in Bern

27.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, has met with Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commission's vice-president for interinstitutional relations and foresight. The exchange, which was held on 27 November in Bern, allowed the two politicians to take stock of the Swiss-EU negotiations and discuss the next steps, with the shared objective of concluding negotiations ideally by the end of the year.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to attend 7th Forum for Dialogue between Switzerland and Italy in Rome

26.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, will travel to Rome on 28 and 29 November to open the Forum for Dialogue between Switzerland and Italy together with Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani. On the margins of the forum, Mr Cassis will participate in an international congress on the abolition of the death penalty hosted by the Community of Sant'Egidio.

Presentation of credentials

26.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present their credentials

State Secretary Alexandre Fasel receives South Africa's deputy minister of foreign affairs Alvin Botes for political consultations

25.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
Alexandre Fasel, the state secretary of the FDFA, met today in Bern with South Africa's deputy minister of foreign affairs responsible for cooperation and international relations, Alvin Botes, for high-level political consultations. The discussions covered foreign policy issues and cooperation between Switzerland and South Africa in the areas of the economy, human rights, research and innovation.

Ignazio Cassis receives Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár in Bern

19.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, received Slovakia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanár in Bern on 19 November. Bilateral relations, Switzerland's European policy and the geopolitical situation, in particular the war in Ukraine, were key topics of discussion. Both delegations stressed the need for sound cooperation within multilateral bodies to promote peace and security in Europe.

State Secretary Alexandre Fasel travels to London for strategic dialogue between Switzerland and the UK

19.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
On Tuesday, 19 November 2024, the state secretary of the FDFA, Alexandre Fasel, travelled to London for the annual round of talks as part of the strategic dialogue between Switzerland and the UK. This year's discussions centred on bilateral issues, including the ongoing revision of the bilateral free trade agreement, and the current geopolitical context with its associated challenges.

Switzerland’s water footprint is measured for the first time

12.03.2012 — Article DEZA

The SDC, WWF together with the interdepartemental goup IDANE Wasser, have published the first ever report on Switzerland’s water footprint. Finding: 82% of the water required to produce all the goods and services consumed in our country comes from abroad. The report emphasises that Switzerland has a shared responsibility in respect of sustainable water management on a planetary level, and proposes a set of recommendations.

Projet de rapport sur la diversité culturelle en Suisse

29.02.2012 — Article DEZA

En ratifiant la Convention de l'UNESCO sur la protection et la promotion de la diversité des expressions culturelles, la Suisse acceptait d'établir tous les quatre ans un rapport sur la situation nationale en matière de diversité culturelle. Le premier d'entre eux sera livré en avril 2012.

Swiss Cooperation with Mali: Definition of the common perspectives for 2012-2015

09.02.2012 — Article DEZA

On 2 and 3 February 2012 in Bamako, Switzerland and its cooperation partner Mali met to take stock of the ongoing cooperation between the two countries and to launch their new strategy for the years 2012 to 2015. This new strategy formulates Swiss cooperation’s major points of thrust in this west African country over the next four years. The Memorandum of Understanding signed on this occasion paves the way to a new period of cooperation between Mali and Switzerland and defines their common perspectives for the coming years.

ADEA’s 2012 Triennale: Stepping up education and training for Africa’s sustainable development

08.02.2012 — Article DEZA

The ADEA Triennale on education and training in Africa brings together a range of people working for education on the continent: government ministers, representatives of bilateral and multilateral agencies, members of research networks, NGOs, the private sector and socio-professional organisations. Adapting education systems to the challenges of sustainable development is the focus of the broad dialogue. The event takes place from 12-17 February 2012 in Ouagadougou and is organised by the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), a longstanding partner of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

«A Future Worth Choosing» – Final report of the UN High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability

06.02.2012 — Article DEZA

After a year and a half of intensive work, the United Nations High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability has published its final report entitled “Resilient People, Resilient Planet: A Future Worth Choosing”. It contains 56 specific recommendations for achieving the goal of development that is truly sustainable. The recommendations focus on a growing economy which reduces poverty and social disparities and respects the natural limits of our planet.

The Horn of Africa: The delegate for Humanitarian Aid on a fact-finding mission about the current crisis

24.01.2012 — Article DEZA

Thousands of people are still living in appalling conditions in the Horn of Africa – in squalid accommodation, without clean drinking water and without access to schooling. Manuel Bessler, the delegate of Swiss Humanitarian Aid, visited Somalia and Kenya in January 2012 to see the situation for himself. What he saw there confirmed him in his conviction that the Horn of Africa must remain a focus of Switzerland’s humanitarian aid.

The President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey in talks with the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy

09.11.2011 — EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), met the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, for talks in Zurich on 9 November 2011. The topics of the discussion included the Swiss-EU relations, the debt crisis in the eurozone, co-operation on tax issues, and selected international issues.

Kidnapping of two Swiss citizens – statement by the FDFA

29.07.2011 — EDA
The FDFA has noted various new information published in the media regarding the two Swiss citizens kidnapped in Pakistan. The FDFA does not comment on such information.

Switzerland to strengthen its presence in Benghazi

11.07.2011 — EDA
Switzerland strengthens its presence in Benghazi, and sends a diplomat to the East Libyan city for the purpose of opening a liaison office. This will be in addition to the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit programme office which has already been up and running for the last four months.

Switzerland ready to send aid to Japan

11.03.2011 — EDA
It is with great consternation that the Federal Council has learned of the natural disaster in the northeast of Japan. Switzerland is ready to send emergency aid to the area, and has already submitted a corresponding offer to the Japanese government.

Report “The Blue Peace: Rethinking Middle East Water” (last modification, the 18.02.2011)

10.02.2011 — EDA
On Thursday, 10 February 2011, Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey presented the report “The Blue Peace: Rethinking Middle East Water” to the Swiss Press Club in Geneva. Supported by Switzerland and by the Swedish government, the report compiles a list of 10 recommendations whose objective is to contribute to building peace and to reducing the conflicts in the Middle East thanks to a sustainable trans-border management of water in the region.

50 years

06.01.2011 — EDA
6 January 2011 marks 50 years of Switzerland representing American interests in Cuba. Switzerland accepted the mandate in 1961 following the Cuban revolution which led to the break-off of relations between Cuba and the US.