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.
27.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On Sunday 28 April, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Saudi Arabia for a World Economic Forum special meeting. In his capacity as head of the FDFA, Mr Cassis was invited by his Saudi counterpart to attend the two-day event which aims to bridge the growing North-South divide by promoting global collaboration.
25.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On 24 April 2024, the UN General Assembly approved funding for an independent institution to investigate cases of missing persons in Syria, to be based in Geneva. As part of its peace policy, Switzerland is firmly committed to clarifying the fate of detained and missing persons. In doing so, it is making a significant contribution to dealing with the past, which is central to peace processes – including in Syria. Switzerland therefore welcomes the international community's decision for the institution to begin its work in International Geneva in 2024.
25.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The r4d programme of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) came to a close today at a public event in Bern. The two institutions also took the opportunity to launch a new programme called Solution-oriented Research for Development (SOR4D). The two programmes involve the implementation of projects in the fields of health, food security, social conflicts, ecosystems, employment and income in developing countries.
24.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 24 April 2024, the Federal Council decided to proceed with the planned use of CHF 56 million of humanitarian funding earmarked for the Middle East. The FDFA has been instructed to consult with the foreign affairs committees on this matter. A decision on the disbursement of the Swiss contribution to UNRWA will be made at a later date.
23.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, received Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg in Bern today. Their discussions focused on the close bilateral relations between the two countries, Switzerland's European policy, current international affairs and the security situation. Both ministers reaffirmed their joint commitment to promoting global peace.
18.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On 17–18 April, representatives from more than 50 countries and organisations gathered at an international workshop in Kyiv to discuss measures for identifying and clearing mines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine. Good coordination of national activities and international support is crucial to ensure that this work can progress swiftly and effectively. The workshop was co-organised by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). Switzerland, whose delegation at the conference was led by Ambassador Simon Geissbühler, has a long history of supporting humanitarian demining through the GICHD and other organisations. Clearing the country of mines is a key prerequisite for Ukraine's recovery.
18.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Palestine's application for full UN membership will not be submitted to the UN General Assembly due to the veto by the United States on 18 April in the UN Security Council. Switzerland abstained from the vote. After assessing the situation and consulting with the chairs of the parliamentary foreign affairs committees, the Federal Council concluded that granting Palestine full UN membership at this time would not be conducive to easing the situation and peace efforts in the Middle East. Switzerland remains committed to the two-state solution.
17.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel received a US delegation for political consultations in Bern on 17 April. The delegation was led by Assistant Secretary James O'Brien, who is in charge of European and Eurasian affairs at the US Department of State. On the agenda were the many ongoing or recently concluded bilateral negotiations, particularly in the area of taxation, which are concrete examples of the dynamism of bilateral relations.
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.
12.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis paid an official visit to Croatia today. He was received by his counterpart, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, Swiss–EU relations and the geopolitical context.
12.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The third International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum) concluded today in Basel. Over 1,000 representatives from politics, business, science, and civil society gathered alongside President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, FDFA head Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, and Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde to discuss the theme of peace promotion. Discussions centred on three core values: critical dialogue, trust, and innovation, all aimed at finding new pathways for tangible and sustainable progress. A highlight of the 2024 forum was the Swiss IC Awards, recognising innovative peace-building projects by Swiss companies.
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%.
27.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
On Sunday 28 April, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Saudi Arabia for a World Economic Forum special meeting. In his capacity as head of the FDFA, Mr Cassis was invited by his Saudi counterpart to attend the two-day event which aims to bridge the growing North-South divide by promoting global collaboration.
25.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
On 24 April 2024, the UN General Assembly approved funding for an independent institution to investigate cases of missing persons in Syria, to be based in Geneva. As part of its peace policy, Switzerland is firmly committed to clarifying the fate of detained and missing persons. In doing so, it is making a significant contribution to dealing with the past, which is central to peace processes – including in Syria. Switzerland therefore welcomes the international community's decision for the institution to begin its work in International Geneva in 2024.
25.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
The r4d programme of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) came to a close today at a public event in Bern. The two institutions also took the opportunity to launch a new programme called Solution-oriented Research for Development (SOR4D). The two programmes involve the implementation of projects in the fields of health, food security, social conflicts, ecosystems, employment and income in developing countries.
24.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 24 April 2024, the Federal Council decided to proceed with the planned use of CHF 56 million of humanitarian funding earmarked for the Middle East. The FDFA has been instructed to consult with the foreign affairs committees on this matter. A decision on the disbursement of the Swiss contribution to UNRWA will be made at a later date.
23.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, received Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg in Bern today. Their discussions focused on the close bilateral relations between the two countries, Switzerland's European policy, current international affairs and the security situation. Both ministers reaffirmed their joint commitment to promoting global peace.
18.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
On 17–18 April, representatives from more than 50 countries and organisations gathered at an international workshop in Kyiv to discuss measures for identifying and clearing mines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine. Good coordination of national activities and international support is crucial to ensure that this work can progress swiftly and effectively. The workshop was co-organised by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). Switzerland, whose delegation at the conference was led by Ambassador Simon Geissbühler, has a long history of supporting humanitarian demining through the GICHD and other organisations. Clearing the country of mines is a key prerequisite for Ukraine's recovery.
18.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Palestine's application for full UN membership will not be submitted to the UN General Assembly due to the veto by the United States on 18 April in the UN Security Council. Switzerland abstained from the vote. After assessing the situation and consulting with the chairs of the parliamentary foreign affairs committees, the Federal Council concluded that granting Palestine full UN membership at this time would not be conducive to easing the situation and peace efforts in the Middle East. Switzerland remains committed to the two-state solution.
17.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel received a US delegation for political consultations in Bern on 17 April. The delegation was led by Assistant Secretary James O'Brien, who is in charge of European and Eurasian affairs at the US Department of State. On the agenda were the many ongoing or recently concluded bilateral negotiations, particularly in the area of taxation, which are concrete examples of the dynamism of bilateral relations.
15.04.2024 —
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.
12.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis paid an official visit to Croatia today. He was received by his counterpart, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, Swiss–EU relations and the geopolitical context.
12.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
The third International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum) concluded today in Basel. Over 1,000 representatives from politics, business, science, and civil society gathered alongside President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, FDFA head Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, and Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde to discuss the theme of peace promotion. Discussions centred on three core values: critical dialogue, trust, and innovation, all aimed at finding new pathways for tangible and sustainable progress. A highlight of the 2024 forum was the Swiss IC Awards, recognising innovative peace-building projects by Swiss companies.
11.04.2024 —
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%.
Serbian MPs are visiting Bern to meet with lawmakers. The focus of the discussions is on Swiss best practice in the field of communication and financial oversight. The meeting is part of an SDC project in partnership with the Serbian National Assembly and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The water crisis and its consequences on access to drinking water, food security and the rural economy are one of the causes of the Syrian conflict. But shared and efficient management of water resources could be a factor for reconciliation. With this in mind, the SDC in partnership with the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies has prepared a report on the water situation as well as that of displaced people in the strategic region of the Orontes River basin.
Blandine Codija Agossou is monitoring the implementation of the programme to support the management of the decentralised literacy programme in Benin on behalf of the SDC. The project began in 2014. It aims to give the three departments in the north of the country autonomy in their management of adult literacy programmes.
Following the deployment of emergency aid and its support for the reconstruction effort, Switzerland has supported the Government of the Philippines in the organisation of a regional conference on the prevention of natural disasters and on the follow-up to the disaster caused by Typhoon Haiyan. The conference initiated a new frame of reference for the prevention of, preparation for, and response to major disasters.
A one-day conference was held on 27 June 2014 at the Grangeneuve Agricultural Institute in the Canton of Fribourg to mark the International Year of Family Farming. The event, co-financed by the SDC, provided an occasion for friendly and informative discussions between farmers from different countries. The schedule also featured several visits to Swiss farms, the offshoot of a Facebook information campaign.
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.
On 17 June 2014, the SDC will co-organise a public conference in Geneva to mark World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. The speakers will address the role of ecosystems in this context. Yves Guinand, programme officer within the Food Security Section of the SDC, will present Switzerland's position at the event.
At the invitation of Switzerland's OSCE Chairmanship, around 150 delegates from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will meet in Montreux on 20 May to discuss the prevention of natural disasters. The next day, they will undertake two field visits in the Canton of Valais to learn about Switzerland's expertise in this field. A member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA), Eric Bardou also works in Valais as a water engineer for the Research Centre on Alpine Environment (CREALP). Because of this dual role, he played a key part in the organisation of the field visits.
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.
Little by little the miners, once persecuted and viewed as criminals, have organised to defend their rights. Testimony of Oidov Tsetsegmaa, director general of the Umbrella Federation of Artisanal Miners.
Ten years ago the SDC opened a cooperation office in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar. Diepak Elmer, deputy director of the SDC’s cooperation office in Mongolia, explains the priorities of Switzerland’s activities there and the political and economic challenges faced.
Publié à l’occasion de la Journée mondiale de la Croix Rouge et du Croissant Rouge du 8 mai 2014
Article signé par Didier Burkhalter, Président de la Confédération et Annemarie Huber-Hotz, Présidente de la Croix-Rouge suisse paru dans «Le Temps» le 8 mai 2014