31.10.2023 —
Press releases
EDA
The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, will visit West and Central Africa from 3 to 5 November 2023. He will pay a working visit to Ghana where he will meet the Ghanaian president, Mr Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. He will then continue to Cameroon, where he will take part in the 44th session of the Francophonie Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé. On this occasion, Mr Cassis will highlight Switzerland's role in global digital governance, particularly in the context of International Geneva.
28.10.2023 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland underscored its continuing support for the peace process in Ukraine at the national security advisers' meeting in Malta. The conference, which was attended by Swiss ambassador Gabriel Lüchinger, included 90 states from all continents and the EU, and focused on the principles and implementation of the peace plan set out by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
23.10.2023 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, travelled today to Poschiavo, where he met with all the members of the Graubünden cantonal council and local residents. The visit is part of the regular political dialogue established with the cantons of Ticino and Graubünden since his election to the Federal Council. Mr Cassis also signed a declaration of intent with the two cantonal governments on the Piccolo Erasmus project, facilitating mutual secondments between the cantonal administrations and the FDFA.
19.10.2023 —
Press releases
EDA
The European Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP) has served as a joint tool for the Alpine countries and regions to improve cross-border cooperation in the Alps since 2015. During this year's Swiss Presidency (Confederation and cantons), EUSALP has been streamlined in terms of organisation and content to enable it to focus even more closely on its core interests in the future. At today's EUSALP General Assembly in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland handed over the organisation's presidency to Slovenia.
18.10.2023 —
Press releases
EDA
On 18 October, SECO and the FDFA's State Secretariat organised the second meeting of the Swiss Business and Human Rights Forum in Bern. Over 350 participants, mainly from the business community, discussed current and future issues relating to respect for human rights in economic activities. With this event, the Swiss government seeks to promote multi-stakeholder dialogue and provide Swiss companies with practical tools and concrete approaches to ensure respect for human rights in their operations.
18.10.2023 —
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.
17.10.2023 —
Press releases
EDA
The FDFA welcomes the peace negotiations launched yesterday between the Colombian government and rebel group Estado Mayor Central de las FARC-EP (EMC). As part of its long-standing peace policy work in Colombia, Switzerland has, at the parties' request, taken on an official mandate to serve as guarantor of the negotiations. The mandate is a sign of appreciation for Switzerland's commitment to peace and its diplomatic efforts.
17.10.2023 —
Press releases
EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present credentials
13.10.2023 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will represent Switzerland next Tuesday 17 October at the fourth ministerial conference of the Moldova Support Platform in Chisinau. This platform’s aim is to promote internationally coordinated assistance for the Republic of Moldova. Moldova faces numerous challenges and difficulties, especially owing to Russia's military aggression against neighbouring Ukraine.
13.10.2023 —
Press releases
EDA
On 13 October, the head of the FDFA announced the launch of the Open Quantum Institute (OQI), a joint initiative of the FDFA, GESDA, CERN and UBS. Based in Geneva, its aim is to put quantum technologies at the service of the common good. Among other objectives, the OQI will help to accelerate the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
13.10.2023 —
Press releases
EDA
The 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council ended on Friday 13 October after five weeks in session. Switzerland, in association with seven other countries, scored a diplomatic success in achieving the adoption of a resolution on the death penalty by a large majority.
11.10.2023 —
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 11 October 2023, the Federal Council adopted a report on collaboration with Swiss NGOs in the context of international cooperation (IC). The report, covering the strategy period 2017–20, was drawn up in fulfilment of Schneider-Schneiter Postulate 20.4389 of 2 December 2020. The report sets out the legal bases and funding mechanisms for collaboration with Swiss NGOs and identifies the criteria they must fulfil in order to receive federal funding. It also provides examples illustrating the added value of the collaboration with Swiss NGOs in achieving the goals of Switzerland's IC and thus the 2030 Agenda.