All news (99)
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter receives UNRWA Commissioner-General, Pierre Krähenbühl

14.04.2016
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter received the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Pierre Krähenbühl, on Thursday in Bern. They discussed developments in the Middle East and Switzerland's support for UNRWA.
Dual vocational education and training, a key instrument for development cooperation

14.04.2016
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Press release
EDA
Today in Lucerne, in order to enhance its work in vocational education and training – always a priority of Swiss aid – Switzerland, through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), created a donor committee with Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein. The four countries will pool their expertise and support projects in developing countries to improve economic prospects for young people and enable them to access local labour markets.
Engagement in fragile states: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter calls for sustainable measures to eliminate the root causes of conflicts

05.04.2016
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Press release
EDA
At the 5th Global Meeting of the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (IDPS) in Stockholm, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter stressed that a long-term commitment by all the actors is the only way to eliminate the causes of fragility and violent conflict. The participants at the meeting agreed to continue the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States, a reform agenda designed to promote both peacebuilding and the development of state structures and institutions. Switzerland is already strongly committed in fragile contexts and is going to expand its aid programmes in line with the Federal Council's Dispatch on International Cooperation 2017-2020. The aim is also to prevent young people in particular from succumbing to the temptations of violent extremism.
Switzerland underscores the importance of the private sector in achieving gender equality

17.03.2016
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Article
EDA
Gender equality is one of Switzerland's priority areas in its international cooperation. Switzerland believes the private sector has a key role to play in fostering equality. "Smart economics means empowering women, promoting girls and bringing about gender equality". These were the words of Benno Bättig, Secretary General of the FDFA, in his speech opening a panel discussion with business representatives from all over the world. The event on the role of business in achieving gender equality, which was organised by the UN Global Compact and UN Women as a side event at the 60th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), focused on the multiplier effect of women's economic empowerment for sustainable development.
Federal Council adopts new strategy on sustainable development 2016–2019 (de)

27.01.2016
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Press release
Agenda2030
Der Bundesrat hat heute die «Strategie Nachhaltige Entwicklung 2016-2019» verabschiedet. Die Strategie beinhaltet Visionen für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung der Schweiz, nennt konkrete Ziele bis 2030 sowie die entsprechenden Massnahmen. Die Strategie, die Teil der Botschaft zur Legislaturplanung 2015-2019 ist, zeigt zudem auf, was die Schweiz in der laufenden Legislaturperiode zur neuen globalen «Agenda 2030 für nachhaltige Entwicklung» beiträgt.
«L’eau est un immense paradoxe au Tchad»

22.01.2016
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Press release
Agenda2030
Rémadji Mani est chargée de programme national au Tchad pour la DDC depuis 2014. Elle est l’invitée de la Conférence annuelle 2015 sur le thème de l’Agenda 2030. Elle s’exprime dans le cadre de la table ronde sur l’universalité dans la pratique de la gestion de l’eau en Tchad et en Suisse. Nous l’avons rencontrée en prémisse de la conférence.
"The SDC has a key role to play in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda worldwide"

22.01.2016
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Article
Agenda2030
Ambassador Michael Gerber is the special representative of the Federal Council for global sustainable development and represented Switzerland during the intergovernmental negotiations on the 2030 Agenda at the UN. In this interview he explains what the next steps are in terms of implementation and what role the SDC has to play in this.
"The Sustainable Development Goals are the basis of a new social contract"

22.01.2016
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Article
Agenda2030
The 17 goals for sustainable development and 169 targets form the core of the UN's 2030 Agenda. Thomas Gass, speaker at the Annual Swiss Development Cooperation Conference 2016 and UN Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, explains what the Agenda actually means and why it is necessary.
«Eine Welt/Un seul monde» – dossier on the 2030 Agenda

22.01.2016
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Article
Agenda2030
Swiss development cooperation: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter calls for immediate implementation of 2030 Agenda

22.01.2016
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Press release
Agenda2030
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was the key focus area at this year's annual conference of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The 17 goals of the global 2030 Agenda will play a decisive role in Swiss development policy over the coming years. The speakers and experts dealt with different aspects of the Agenda: the negotiations, the implementation and financing, and what it means for Switzerland. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter spoke specifically of how it relates to Swiss policy. The opening speech was made by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Federal Council decides measures to allow Switzerland to implement agenda
18.12.2015
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Press release
Agenda2030
In September 2015 the 193 member states of the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which Switzerland also recognises. Today the Federal Council has initiated the preparatory work needed for Switzerland to actively work towards implementing these objectives.
2016 Annual Conference: Together towards a sustainable future – the 2030 Agenda for Switzerland and the world

24.11.2015
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Press release
Agenda2030
In September 2015, the largest ever gathering of heads of state and government in the history of the UN took place in New York to adopt the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. All states, including Switzerland, are called upon to contribute to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals over the next 15 years.