Here you can find the last 12 media releases and other news published by the FDFA, such as statements, announcements and articles, in chronological order.
All media releases can be found on the Administarions's website.
27.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The Syrian population is still suffering from the consequences of the ongoing conflict that began in 2011, and these are also being felt in neighbouring countries. Switzerland reaffirmed its commitment by pledging CHF 60 million at the 8th Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region on 27 May 2024.
21.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On Wednesday, 22 May, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Budapest to meet with his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó and Minister for European Union Affairs Janos Bóka. He will also pay a courtesy visit to President Tamás Sulyok. Hungary will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2024. Following his visit to Hungary, Mr Cassis will travel to Montenegro on 23 May at the invitation of Foreign Minister Filip Ivanovic, before meeting Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Siniša Mali in Belgrade on Friday, 24 May.The meetings will focus on Switzerland's bilateral relations with the three countries, European policy and the European security situation.
08.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 8 May 2024, the Federal Council decided to make a contribution of CHF 10 million to the humanitarian aid appeal of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The CHF 10 million contribution is exclusively earmarked for Gaza and will be used to provide the urgent assistance specified in the UNRWA Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory covering the period April–December 2024. In its overall assessment, the Federal Council drew on the analysis of the Colonna report and coordination with other donors. The Federal Council will submit this decision to the foreign affairs committees of the National Council and Council of States for consultation.
15.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At the international donors' conference on 15 April 2024 in Paris, Switzerland pledged CHF 19 million to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Sudan. As a result of the ongoing hostilities over the past year, the country is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time. To date, 8.6 million people have been displaced, and the country is on the brink of a devastating famine. From the beginning of the crisis, Switzerland has been actively engaged at multiple levels to help end the conflict and improve the situation on the ground.
11.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
In 2023, Switzerland's official development assistance (ODA) amounted to CHF 4.64 billion, equivalent to 0.60% of its gross national income (GNI), more than a quarter of which came from asylum-related costs in Switzerland. Excluding these asylum costs, the ODA/GNI ratio was 0.43%.
21.03.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, officially concluded his multi-day trip to East Africa today with a visit to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, following earlier stops in Ethiopia and Djibouti. Mr Cassis' talks with the presidents and foreign ministers of the three countries focused on bilateral relations, regional challenges and opportunities, and multilateralism. The trip also provided important insights for the new Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy that is currently being drawn up.
15.01.2024
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Press releases
EDA
During the official visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Bern on Monday 15 January, Switzerland and Ukraine acknowledged the depth and dynamism of their bilateral relations. The Swiss government delegation, led by President Viola Amherd, underscored Switzerland's continued solidarity with Ukraine. Another key item on the agenda was the follow-up to the meeting of national security advisers hosted in Davos on Sunday within the framework of the Ukrainian peace formula. Switzerland expressed its willingness to organise a high-level summit.
12.01.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos next week. Six members of the Federal Council will be attending. President Viola Amherd will open the event together with WEF founder Prof. Klaus Schwab on Tuesday, 16 January.
20.12.2023
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Press releases
EDA
Facing the severe challenges of an unforgiving winter, millions in Ukraine find themselves in dire need of assistance. In response, Switzerland's federal government is supporting the beleaguered Ukrainian population this winter too with targeted action and an additional CHF 11.8 million in aid. This brings the total investment in winter relief measures up to around CHF 26 million.
12.12.2023
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Press releases
EDA
Together with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Switzerland will host the second Global Refugee Forum from 13 to 15 December 2023 in Geneva. The main objective of the forum is to bolster the effectiveness of aid provided to people fleeing from violence and crises, and to improve global coordination in this regard. The forum will take stock of the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees to date and seek to strengthen the commitment of the international community in this area. At the forum, Switzerland will reaffirm its support for the protection and integration of refugees both in Switzerland and abroad. In addition to the federal government, Swiss cantons, cities and civil society will contribute to this effort.
21.11.2023
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Press releases
EDA
On Tuesday 21 November, federal councillors Alain Berset, president of the Swiss Confederation and Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received a courtesy visit from a delegation from Hungary headed by the country’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán. The exchange centred on bilateral relations, Switzerland's European policy objectives, Hungary's presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2024 and current international issues.
18.10.2023
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Press releases
EDA
On Wednesday, 18 October, a Federal Council delegation led by President Alain Berset received Moldovan President Maia Sandu on an official visit to Switzerland. Talks focused on the impact on Moldova of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine as well as bilateral cooperation. The programme for Thursday, 19 October, includes a visit to a pharmaceutical company in Basel and a panel event at ETH Zurich.
18.03.2016 —
Press releases
EDA
A fragile ceasefire and the Geneva peace talks are signs of hope. But the crisis in Syria is far from over. The war there has been raging for exactly five years now: countless people have been plunged into misery and suffering. Their story, and Switzerland’s humanitarian response to the conflict, were the topic of the Annual Conference of Humanitarian Aid and the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA). In the presence of Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, experts discussed various aspects of the crisis and described their experiences in the conflict-affected area.
11.03.2016 —
Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council pledged today a headquarters contribution of CHF 80 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for the current year. This sum is intended to support the work of what is often the only organisation to have direct access to people in need during crises and conflicts. The ICRC is the most important partner of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in the humanitarian field.
11.03.2016 —
Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council pledged today a headquarters contribution of CHF 80 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for the current year. This sum is intended to support the work of what is often the only organisation to have direct access to people in need during crises and conflicts. The ICRC is the most important partner of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in the humanitarian field.
17.02.2016 —
Press releases
EDA
A world without poverty and in peace, for sustainable development. This is the goal of the Dispatch on International Cooperation 2017–20, which the Federal Council submitted to Parliament today. The dispatch covers development cooperation strategy, including economic and trade-policy measures, and in particular strengthens humanitarian emergency aid and Switzerland's contribution to conflict resolution. Civilian peacebuilding is also incorporated into the strategy for the first time. By combining these means effectively, Switzerland will address current emergencies and help to alleviate crises, conflicts, climate change, poverty, inequality and lack of economic prospects and prevent the accompanying displacement of populations.
04.02.2016 —
Press releases
EDA
President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann has thanked the citizens of Syria’s neighbouring states for their solidarity with the people affected by the civil war. The international community has a duty to support the neighbouring states, explained the president at the Syria Donors Conference. This year Switzerland is setting aside CHF 50 million for the victims of the conflict.
21.01.2016 —
Press releases
EDA
At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter discussed with various partners the situation in the Middle East and possibilities to end the Syrian conflict. He underscored the need to clarify the steps to a peaceful solution through dialogue, which was why every effort must be undertaken to ensure that the Syria talks are able to go ahead next week in Geneva. One topic of his meetings, including those with US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif, was also humanitarian access to those in need in the conflict zones.
21.01.2016 —
Press releases
DEZA
At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter discussed with various partners the situation in the Middle East and possibilities to end the Syrian conflict. He underscored the need to clarify the steps to a peaceful solution through dialogue, which was why every effort must be undertaken to ensure that the Syria talks are able to go ahead next week in Geneva. One topic of his meetings, including those with US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif, was also humanitarian access to those in need in the conflict zones.
13.01.2016 —
Press releases
EDA
Die Schweiz beteiligt sich am Programm zur Umverteilung von 40‘000 schutzbedürftigen Personen, das die Europäische Union (EU) im Juli beschlossen hat, unter der Voraussetzung, dass die Dublin-Verpflichtungen eingehalten werden. Der Bundesrat hat am Freitag entschieden, bis zu 1500 dieser Personen aufzunehmen, die in Italien und Griechenland bereits registriert wurden. Die Schweiz leistet damit einen weiteren Beitrag zu einem gemeinsamen solidarischen Vorgehen in Europa,. Parallel dazu wird die Hilfe vor Ort im Zusammenhang mit den Krisen in Syrien, Irak und dem Horn von Afrika um 70 Millionen Franken aufgestockt. Mit diesem Kredit werden auch die Bemühungen der Schweiz für eine politische Lösung im Syrien-Konflikt unterstützt.
11.12.2015 —
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 11 December 2015, the Federal Council approved a contribution of CHF 18.5 million to the General Fund of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This financial package will support UNRWA's humanitarian activities and its development assistance to Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the occupied Palestinian territory in 2016.
10.12.2015 —
Press releases
EDA
For Switzerland, the promotion and protection of the human rights of all individuals worldwide is a goal to work towards, a duty and a foreign policy priority. Although significant progress has been made in strengthening human rights since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948, it is more than ever necessary to persevere in our efforts. Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December to raise awareness of the situation of those affected by human rights violations.
10.12.2015 —
Press releases
EDA
The state secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Yves Rossier, is currently on a three-day official visit to Niger from 9 to 11 December 2015. He has met Mahamadou Issoufou, Niger's president, and the country's foreign minister, Kané Aichatou Boulama. Mr Rossier has also held meetings with other government representatives and members of civil society.
During his visit, the state secretary signed a pledge committing CHF 38 million for the implementation of a number of Swiss development aid programmes.
04.12.2015 —
Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council today discussed how immigration can be managed so as to comply with constitutional requirements. It made a number of preliminary decisions, taking account of the results of consultations on the draft of new legislation on foreign nationals: the Federal Council is looking to apply a safeguard clause in order to control the immigration of persons covered by the Agreement on the free movement of persons with the European Union (EU). To do so, it will seek a mutually acceptable solution with the EU. In the event that it is unable to reach agreement with the EU in time, the Federal Council has, in a parallel move, instructed the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) to draft a dispatch on a unilateral safeguard clause. This dispatch should be ready by the beginning of March 2016. The Federal Council will consider measures to enhance the potential of the domestic workforce and tackle labour market abuses at its meeting on 18 December.
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.
06.11.2019 —
EDA
The United Nations (UN) has announced the resignation of the Commissioner-General for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Pierre Krähenbühl. The announcement follows the launch of an investigation into misconduct allegations involving UNRWA's management. The FDFA notes the resignation and calls for a full and thorough clarification of the facts. Switzerland will withhold payment of its project contributions pending the outcome of the investigation.
10.07.2019 —
EDA
Mr Cassis's visit to Greece has mainly been concerned with the situation of refugees and the challenges posed by migration. On Tuesday, the head of the FDFA visited the refugee camp on Samos and today met Nikos Dendias, who was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs this week, and President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.
Didier Burkhalter will be speaking at a panel discussion entitled ‘Displacement – the global challenge of the 21st century’, which is being held at the University of Zurich in connection with the ‘DISPLACED’ exhibition at the National Museum Zurich. In this interview he talks about Swiss foreign policy in the area of migration.
DISPLACED opens on 29 October 2016 at the National Museum Zurich. The exhibition gives visitors a glimpse of what it means to have to give up one's home, family, work and country. The SDC is taking part in the exhibition.
The first United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants is taking place on 19 September 2016 in New York and will see the international community adopt joint measures in response to the large movements of refugees and migrants. Switzerland will be focusing in particular on improving protection on the ground, preventing forced displacement and finding sustainable solutions for directly affected populations.
Switzerland is taking part in the United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants on 19 September. Eduard Gnesa, Special Ambassador for International Cooperation on Migration Issues, talks about the challenges facing the international community as a result of the refugee situation.
When Hungary closed its border with Croatia on 17 October, hundreds of thousands of migrants moved further west and redirected their route through the West Balkans. As Slovenia, a country of a mere two million people, had to bear the brunt of this new development, it turned to Switzerland for help. Since mid-November a team of five experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit has supported the Slovenian authorities as well as NGOs to tackle this giant task.
Thousands of refugees have been travelling to and transiting through Slovenia every day since September 2015. Since the beginning of November the country’s civil protection authorities have been benefiting from Swiss Humanitarian Aid’s experience in setting up suitably equipped refugee camps. For Stanislav Lotric, Switzerland’s support is important – also as a symbol of solidarity.
Johanna Estermann, a member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit since 2010, has won this year’s Swiss Humanitarian Award, which is given each year to a deserving student by the Geneva Centre for Education and Research in Humanitarian Action (CERAH).
Andrea Cippa, Barbara Egger Maldonado, Arnold Egli and Dominique Reinecke each worked for the UNHCR or the World Food Programme (WFP) in South Sudan and Ethiopia for several months. What they have in common is that they are all members of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) and they have all worked to improve the lives of displaced persons and refugees in the region. Having returned from their missions, they explain the significance of their respective commitments.
An engineer by profession, Henri Stalder has been a member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) since 2002. He has taken part in SHA missions in several countries in this capacity. Since January 2014 has Henri Stalder been made available to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Syria where he runs the shelter sector. This sector provides emergency accommodation to displaced persons and reconstructs damaged buildings. Henri Stalder embodies the various types of support Switzerland provides to the victims of the conflict. Interview performed in May 2014.