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.
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.
30.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has received the Brazilian foreign minister, Mauro Vieira, in Solothurn. Political and economic relations and collaboration in the fields of sustainability, science and multilateral forums were at the heart of the discussions. The Brazilian minister's Swiss origins were also discussed.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
08.05.2024 —
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.
30.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has received the Brazilian foreign minister, Mauro Vieira, in Solothurn. Political and economic relations and collaboration in the fields of sustainability, science and multilateral forums were at the heart of the discussions. The Brazilian minister's Swiss origins were also discussed.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
On 4 March 2014, the Water Resources Group, an organisation supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, SDC, published a detailed analytical report on the causes of water scarcity and pollution in Mongolia. A steering committee, drawn from all of the parties concerned, is to be set up and tasked with identifying solutions to the problems that have been raised. A spotlight on the discussions taking place as Switzerland marks ten years of development cooperation in Mongolia.
Switzerland is to continue its support for the poorest developing countries as part of its International Cooperation. The Federal Council decided on 30 April 2014 to allocate an additional CHF 1.32 billion between the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) and the African Development Fund (ADF). Part of these funds will be used for debt reduction measures.
SDC supports film-makers and films from the countries of the South and the East through the FOCUS programme of Visions du Réel. This international documentary film festival, which is now in its 20th year, will be held in Nyon from 25 April to 3 May. Last year’s winners from Lebanon reflect on their award-winning film and their experiences of Visions du Réel.
The month of May marks the tenth anniversary of Swiss cooperation in Mongolia. Below is a collection of images depicting the support provided to a region facing many challenges.
Interview with Nomfundo Mbuli, programme manager at the SDC's cooperation office in South Africa.
South Africa had its first democratic elections twenty years ago, after the end of apartheid. Since that moment, the SDC has been helping the country to rebuild. Many projects have been very successful, so much so that they have been extended to other parts of southern Africa. Employed at the cooperation office in Pretoria since 2001, Nomfundo Mbuli takes a look back at how her country has evolved since 1994 and the role that the SDC has had to play in that.
Donor states in the field of international development cooperation want to improve the effectiveness of the aid they offer. To this end, representatives of these states are to meet in Mexico from 15 to 16 April 2014 to attend the first High Level Meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation. SDC director-general Martin Dahinden will lead the Swiss delegation in Mexico. In this interview he explains what the meeting will be about and what changes have been made in international and Swiss development cooperation over recent years.
The Geneva Health Forum will take place in Geneva from 15–17 April. The SDC is supporting the international conference and will be actively involved through a number of activities. Health-care professionals will be discussing «Global health: interconnected challenges, integrated solutions».
Interview with Besnik Murrani, Albanian customs officer
Since 2006, Besnik Murrani has been working as a customs officer at the port of Durrës, situated 30km from Tirana, the capital of Albania. He and his team are receiving training financed by the SDC as part of an inter-regional police cooperation project in the Western Balkans. Established by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Customs Organisation, the “Container Control Programme” is helping Balkan countries to fight organised crime in a more coordinated manner.
Twenty years since Rwanda was devastated by war in 1994, a certain amount of stability has returned in the country. Together with other donors, Switzerland has made major contributions to the ongoing reconstruction efforts. The current SDC operations in Rwanda seek to further improve the working of institutions to give the population access to good quality basic services and an environment conducive to employment.
World Water Day is on 22 March. The conservation of global water resources is a priority for Switzerland. Numerous global issues and challenges are connected with water security – for example, food security, energy production, environmental protection and the health of the world population. Switzerland is calling for a comprehensive water goal to be set on the agenda of the post-2015 development and sustainability objectives with a strategy consisting of four key areas of action.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) devotes 10% of its budget to promoting and improving health care around the world. Debora Kern, health sector policy adviser with the SDC, believes Switzerland has a big part to play in reminding states of their crucial role in the provision of health care.