Switzerland marks 20th Anniversary of technical cooperation in Azerbaijan

07.03.2019 — Local news Azerbaijan
On 1 March, Swiss Ambassador Philipp Stalder and Deputy Head of Mission/Head of International Cooperation Simone Haeberli jointly held a press conference to announce the launch of various activities to celebrate the 20 years of technical cooperation in Azerbaijan.

The Federal Council approves a report on Switzerland's good offices

10.01.2019 — Press release Azerbaijan
Switzerland's good offices are a long-standing tradition and one of its key foreign policy instruments. On 14 December 2018, the Federal Council adopted a report on Switzerland's good offices. This report has been published in response to a postulate requesting an overview of Switzerland's good offices.

Swiss funded Gender Assessment Report on Women in private sector presented in Azerbaijan

06.12.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
On 4 December 2018, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of Azerbaijan, the United Nations Population Fund, Women’s Association for Rational Development and the Embassy of Switzerland jointly presented and discussed the  Gender Assessment Report “Women in Private Sector in Azerbaijan: Opportunities and Challenges”.

State Secretary Mauro Dell'Ambrogio pays official visit to Azerbaijan

01.11.2018 — Press release Azerbaijan
Bern, 01.11.2018 - Mauro Dell'Ambrogio, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, paid an official visit to Azerbaijan between 29 and 30 October, where he met the Minister of Education. A joint declaration on intensifying bilateral cooperation in the fields of education, research and innovation was signed during the meeting. The State Secretary also met with the President of Azerbaijan.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the UN General Assembly in New York

03.10.2018 — Press release Azerbaijan
The multilateral system protects countries which are not military powers, like Switzerland, said Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on Wednesday at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs also drew a positive assessment of his first participation in the General Assembly: "This first visit gave me a better sense of how multilateralism works and its need for reform."

Direct flights Baku – Geneva - Baku

24.09.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
On 20 September 2018, Swiss Ambassador, Mr. Philipp Stalder, met with the President of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), Mr. Jahangir Askerov, to discuss forthcoming launch of direct flights between Baku and Geneva scheduled to start on 30 October 2018.

Embassy organized Alumni Networking Event 2018

12.09.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
The Embassy of Switzerland in Azerbaijan organized an Alumni Networking Event on 7 September 2018. The event took place on the roof terrace of the Swiss Residence and was attended by 60 persons with an educational background in Switzerland. It was the second edition of the Alumni Event organized by the Swiss Embassy. This year, the CEO’s of Swiss companies (operating in Azerbaijan) were invited to the reception as well.

Negotiations on framework for global coordination of migration successfully completed

10.08.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
Switzerland welcomes the approval by UN member states of the draft 'Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration'. The conclusion of the negotiations is an important step towards common standards among states to boost the positive aspects of migration and to contain the negative aspects through joint efforts. Switzerland and Mexico led the negotiation process, which has now been successfully concluded.

Locarno International Film Festival marks end of FDFA Democracy Without Borders initiative

10.08.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
Four years after its launch at the Locarno International Film Festival, the FDFA's Democracy Without Borders initiative was concluded on 5 August 2018 in Locarno. An array of Swiss celebrities contributed to the initiative by raising public awareness of Swiss development cooperation issues and projects. The Afghan film 'Laila at the Bridge' was screened to mark the occasion, followed by a panel discussion on civil society participation, film-making and freedom of expression in Afghanistan, a partner country for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The event was introduced by Marco Solari, president of the Locarno International Film Festival and project president of Democracy Without Borders, and Pio Wennubst, assistant director general of the SDC.

Swiss commitment and success at the Human Rights Council

10.08.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
The 38th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva ends today following three weeks of work. Switzerland presented two resolutions, the first concerning human rights in the context of peaceful demonstrations, the second highlighting the contribution of the Human Rights Council to preventing human rights violations. The Council adopted both resolutions.

Switzerland and Iran discuss ways of developing relations

10.08.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
On Tuesday, 3 July, during the official visit by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Bern, Switzerland and Iran reaffirmed their support for the Road Map agreed in 2016; the two countries expressed their wish to deepen relations in spite of the current circumstances and push ahead with implementing the Road Map. The talks between President Rouhani and a Federal Council delegation led by President Alain Berset focused on stabilising the nuclear deal with Iran following the withdrawal of the USA and bilateral cooperation. An agreement and two declarations of intent were signed following the talks.

Swiss expert Philip D. Jaffé elected to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

10.08.2018 — Press release Azerbaijan

On 29 June 2018, Philip D. Jaffé was elected to the Committee on the Rights of the Child by the states parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. He is the second Swiss person to serve as a member.

The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), comprising 18 members, monitors implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its optional protocols. This convention safeguards all human rights of children, defined as persons under the age of 18. The 196 states parties agree to take all appropriate measures to ensure these rights are protected in their respective countries, and they regularly submit progress reports to the CRC.

The Federal Council approves a report on Switzerland's good offices

10.01.2019 — Press release Azerbaijan
Switzerland's good offices are a long-standing tradition and one of its key foreign policy instruments. On 14 December 2018, the Federal Council adopted a report on Switzerland's good offices. This report has been published in response to a postulate requesting an overview of Switzerland's good offices.

State Secretary Mauro Dell'Ambrogio pays official visit to Azerbaijan

01.11.2018 — Press release Azerbaijan
Bern, 01.11.2018 - Mauro Dell'Ambrogio, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, paid an official visit to Azerbaijan between 29 and 30 October, where he met the Minister of Education. A joint declaration on intensifying bilateral cooperation in the fields of education, research and innovation was signed during the meeting. The State Secretary also met with the President of Azerbaijan.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the UN General Assembly in New York

03.10.2018 — Press release Azerbaijan
The multilateral system protects countries which are not military powers, like Switzerland, said Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on Wednesday at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs also drew a positive assessment of his first participation in the General Assembly: "This first visit gave me a better sense of how multilateralism works and its need for reform."

Swiss expert Philip D. Jaffé elected to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

10.08.2018 — Press release Azerbaijan

On 29 June 2018, Philip D. Jaffé was elected to the Committee on the Rights of the Child by the states parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. He is the second Swiss person to serve as a member.

The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), comprising 18 members, monitors implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its optional protocols. This convention safeguards all human rights of children, defined as persons under the age of 18. The 196 states parties agree to take all appropriate measures to ensure these rights are protected in their respective countries, and they regularly submit progress reports to the CRC.

Annual Swiss Development Cooperation Conference: Federal Councillor Cassis calls for effectiveness

10.08.2018 — Press release Azerbaijan
The sustainable development of urban and rural areas in Africa was at the heart of the SDC/SECO Annual Swiss Development Cooperation Conference that took place on 29 June 2018 in Bern. Participating for the first time in his capacity as head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis called for effectiveness in the field of international cooperation.

Federal Council adopts Switzerland's country report on implementation of the 2030 Agenda

06.08.2018 — Press release Azerbaijan
At its meeting on 20 June 2018, the Federal Council adopted Switzerland's country report on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The report shows that Switzerland has already firmly established the UN's Sustainable Development Goals in its policies, although challenges still remain. Switzerland's country report will be presented at the UN in New York in July 2018.

Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann on economic mission to the Caucasus and Central Asia from 8 to 16 July

06.07.2018 — Press release Azerbaijan
Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann will travel to the South Caucasus and Central Asia from 8 to 16 July, heading a sizeable 35-strong delegation including representatives from parliament, cantonal governments and the private sector. The economic mission will take in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. The aim is to identify business opportunities for Swiss firms under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, to foster relations with member countries of Switzerland’s constituency in the international financial institutions (World Bank, IMF, EBRD) and to highlight Switzerland’s development cooperation programmes (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Azerbaijan). A number of declarations of intent and memorandums are expected to be signed during the mission (Kazakhstan).

Switzerland takes on protecting power mandate for Iran and Saudi Arabia

08.11.2017 — Press release Azerbaijan

On 25 October 2017, the Swiss embassies in Riyadh and Tehran signed the agreements for Switzerland to represent Iranian interests in Saudi Arabia and Saudi interests in Iran. The Federal Council gave the green light for the protecting power mandate at its meeting on 25 October 2017.

“I had to work harder than any men in the district”

08.03.2017 — Press release Azerbaijan

Every year on March 8^th, the world celebrates the International Women’s Day. Across the South Caucasus Region, we travelled to our women beneficiaries to listen to their stories about what it means to be a female entrepreneur, a farmer or a business woman in the rural areas of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Switzerland and Azerbaijan strengthen their relations with two new agreements

10.10.2016 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov in Bern during an official visit. At this meeting the ministers signed two agreements to strengthen cooperation between Switzerland and Azerbaijan on readmissions and visas. They also addressed various bilateral issues, economic ones in particular, and discussed several regional and international matters.

Swiss-funded project reveals financial inclusion in Azerbaijan

08.08.2016 — Press release Azerbaijan

In Azerbaijan, 51% of population does not borrow, and those who borrow prefer an informal credit over a formal one. This is one of the many findings of a large household survey conducted by the World Bank in Azerbaijan. The study was conducted under the Financial Literacy and Consumer Protection Project financed by the Swiss government.

Conference on Women and Micro-Finance

03.03.2016 — Press release Azerbaijan

A conference on women and micro-finance was organized on 3 March 2016 by the Azerbaijan's Micro-Finance Association (AMFA)

Switzerland marks 20th Anniversary of technical cooperation in Azerbaijan

07.03.2019 — Local news Azerbaijan
On 1 March, Swiss Ambassador Philipp Stalder and Deputy Head of Mission/Head of International Cooperation Simone Haeberli jointly held a press conference to announce the launch of various activities to celebrate the 20 years of technical cooperation in Azerbaijan.

Swiss funded Gender Assessment Report on Women in private sector presented in Azerbaijan

06.12.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
On 4 December 2018, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of Azerbaijan, the United Nations Population Fund, Women’s Association for Rational Development and the Embassy of Switzerland jointly presented and discussed the  Gender Assessment Report “Women in Private Sector in Azerbaijan: Opportunities and Challenges”.

Direct flights Baku – Geneva - Baku

24.09.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
On 20 September 2018, Swiss Ambassador, Mr. Philipp Stalder, met with the President of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), Mr. Jahangir Askerov, to discuss forthcoming launch of direct flights between Baku and Geneva scheduled to start on 30 October 2018.

Embassy organized Alumni Networking Event 2018

12.09.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
The Embassy of Switzerland in Azerbaijan organized an Alumni Networking Event on 7 September 2018. The event took place on the roof terrace of the Swiss Residence and was attended by 60 persons with an educational background in Switzerland. It was the second edition of the Alumni Event organized by the Swiss Embassy. This year, the CEO’s of Swiss companies (operating in Azerbaijan) were invited to the reception as well.

Negotiations on framework for global coordination of migration successfully completed

10.08.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
Switzerland welcomes the approval by UN member states of the draft 'Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration'. The conclusion of the negotiations is an important step towards common standards among states to boost the positive aspects of migration and to contain the negative aspects through joint efforts. Switzerland and Mexico led the negotiation process, which has now been successfully concluded.

Locarno International Film Festival marks end of FDFA Democracy Without Borders initiative

10.08.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
Four years after its launch at the Locarno International Film Festival, the FDFA's Democracy Without Borders initiative was concluded on 5 August 2018 in Locarno. An array of Swiss celebrities contributed to the initiative by raising public awareness of Swiss development cooperation issues and projects. The Afghan film 'Laila at the Bridge' was screened to mark the occasion, followed by a panel discussion on civil society participation, film-making and freedom of expression in Afghanistan, a partner country for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The event was introduced by Marco Solari, president of the Locarno International Film Festival and project president of Democracy Without Borders, and Pio Wennubst, assistant director general of the SDC.

Swiss commitment and success at the Human Rights Council

10.08.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
The 38th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva ends today following three weeks of work. Switzerland presented two resolutions, the first concerning human rights in the context of peaceful demonstrations, the second highlighting the contribution of the Human Rights Council to preventing human rights violations. The Council adopted both resolutions.

Switzerland and Iran discuss ways of developing relations

10.08.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
On Tuesday, 3 July, during the official visit by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Bern, Switzerland and Iran reaffirmed their support for the Road Map agreed in 2016; the two countries expressed their wish to deepen relations in spite of the current circumstances and push ahead with implementing the Road Map. The talks between President Rouhani and a Federal Council delegation led by President Alain Berset focused on stabilising the nuclear deal with Iran following the withdrawal of the USA and bilateral cooperation. An agreement and two declarations of intent were signed following the talks.

Swiss company Sika visited by Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann

06.08.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
In the frame of his official visit to Azerbaijan, Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann participated at the pre-inauguration ceremony of a new plant of Sika on 9 July. Sika is a Swiss manufacturer for specialty chemicals.

Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Amman officially visits Azerbaijan in July

06.08.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
 Swiss Federal Councillor, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, Johann N. Schneider-Ammann visited Baku together with a large delegation consisting of representatives from parliament, cantonal governments and the private sector. The aim of the sizeable 35-strong Swiss delegation was to identify business opportunities for Swiss firms under China’s Belt and Road Initiative and to foster friendly relations with Azerbaijan as a member country of Switzerland’s constituency in the Bretton Woods Institutions (World Bank, IMF).

"Republican Woman Daring to Change" - Swiss Embassy held film premiere

24.05.2018 — Local news Azerbaijan
The Embassy of Switzerland commissioned the production of the documentary "Republican Woman Daring to Change" and held its première on 16 May 2018 in the framework of the Euro Tolerance Festival.  180-200 persons - among them many  representatives of media, civil society, embassies including a member of parliamentary friendship group Azerbaijan-Switzerland - attended this event at YARAT Contemporary Art Space followed by a discussion round of the production team with the audience. The screening of the film ended with a long applaud. It should be highlighted that the documentary was produced by professional Azerbaijani women exclusively, from script writer to producer.

"Our people will enjoy bright future" says gender advocate

13.03.2018 — Article Azerbaijan

What does it take to be a gender equality advocate in Azerbaijan? If you ask this question to Shahla Ismayil, who is a prominent gender equality advocate, she would say: “it is not easy, but it is very important!”

Shahla regards every case of women rights violation as a human rights violation and she is never tired repeating that women should get empowered – socially, politically, economically – in order to play a more significant role in the life of the country.