Press releases

States at Summit on Peace in Ukraine agree on common positions and next steps

16.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
At the close of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine on Sunday, 16 June, the vast majority of participating states agreed on jointly formulated positions and next steps with a view to a future peace process. President Viola Amherd commended the joint communiqué that emerged from the Bürgenstock summit as a strong signal from the international community for peace based on international law and the UN Charter. 92 states from all regions of the world took part in the summit, 57 of which were represented by heads of state and government.

Education for children in emergency situations: Switzerland continues its support

14.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Armed conflicts, forced displacement and natural disasters mean that more and more children have no or only limited access to education. At its meeting on 14 June 2024, the Federal Council therefore decided to continue supporting the United Nations Education Cannot Wait (ECW) fund, which is committed to providing access to education in emergency situations and protracted crises. For the 2025–28 period, the Federal Council approved a contribution of CHF 33.3 million to the ECW, which Switzerland has supported with CHF 40 million since 2019.

Ignazio Cassis discusses Ukraine's nuclear facilities with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi

12.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi in Bern on 12 June 2024. The discussions focused on the safety of Ukraine's nuclear facilities and Switzerland's support for the IAEA's work in Ukraine. The meeting is part of a series of high-level exchanges with the IAEA, and underscores the importance that Switzerland attaches to nuclear safety and security and to the IAEA as a whole, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine.

Swiss president meets Portugal’s president and prime minister

12.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
President Viola Amherd met Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro on Wednesday, 12 June. The talks in Bern focused on the countries’ close bilateral relations, European policy, the upcoming summit on peace in Ukraine and cooperation between Switzerland and Portugal at multilateral level.

Presentation of credentials

11.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present credentials

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to attend third Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin

10.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland has been supporting the recovery and reconstruction process in Ukraine since the start of the war. In line with this commitment, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will attend the third Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Berlin on 11 and 12 June 2024, following on from the URCs in Lugano (2022) and London (2023). The Berlin conference will focus, among other things, on private sector involvement, social aspects and the promotion of local and regional development.

Summit on Peace in Ukraine: state of preparations and security measures

10.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
90 states and organisations have so far registered to attend the summit on peace in Ukraine at the Bürgenstock (NW) on 15/16 June. The aim of the high-level meeting of heads of state and government is to develop a common understanding for a possible path towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. This will then form the basis for a peace process. On 10 June, President Viola Amherd, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Nidwalden Cantonal Councillor Karin Kayser-Frutschi, together with Stephan Grieder, head of operations and chief of the Nidwalden Cantonal Police, and Major General Daniel Keller, Commander of Territorial Division 2, gave a briefing on the state of preparations and security measures.

Switzerland supporting Ukraine in digitalisation and e-governance

07.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 7 June, the Federal Council decided to continue supporting Ukraine in the areas of digitalisation and e-governance, approving CHF 58.7 million for this purpose over the next four years. Switzerland is thus promoting democratic reforms in Ukraine through digitalisation and at the same time increasing the transparency of state-provided services. Both areas are of crucial importance for Ukraine to rebuild.

Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Bürgenstock: Confederation to contribute to security costs

07.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
The Summit on Peace in Ukraine will take place on 15 and 16 June 2024 at the Bürgenstock resort in the canton of Nidwalden. A major security operation is in place to ensure the safety of the event and those attending. At its meeting on 7 June 2024, the Federal Council decided to consider the summit an 'extraordinary event'. This means that the Confederation will contribute to the security costs borne by the canton of Nidwalden.

David Grichting appointed head of the FDFA's Directorate for Resources DR

07.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council appointed David Grichting as the new head of the Directorate for Resources (DR) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in its meeting on 7 June 2024. David Grichting currently heads the FDFA’s Consular Directorate (CD). He will take up his new post on 1 January 2025 succeeding to Tania Cavassini, who has been appointed ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco by the Federal Council. The FDFA will appoint a selection committee to to evaluate candidates to succeed David Grichting.

Erika Schläppi elected to UN Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women

07.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Erika Schläppi of Switzerland has been elected to an initial maiden term on the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women for 2025–28. She will be the second Swiss woman to serve in this capacity.

Switzerland elected to ECOSOC for 2025–26 term

07.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
After 2010, 2014 and 2019, Switzerland has been elected for the fourth time to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2025–26 term. ECOSOC is one of the UN's main bodies in the field of sustainable development.

States at Summit on Peace in Ukraine agree on common positions and next steps

16.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
At the close of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine on Sunday, 16 June, the vast majority of participating states agreed on jointly formulated positions and next steps with a view to a future peace process. President Viola Amherd commended the joint communiqué that emerged from the Bürgenstock summit as a strong signal from the international community for peace based on international law and the UN Charter. 92 states from all regions of the world took part in the summit, 57 of which were represented by heads of state and government.

Education for children in emergency situations: Switzerland continues its support

14.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Armed conflicts, forced displacement and natural disasters mean that more and more children have no or only limited access to education. At its meeting on 14 June 2024, the Federal Council therefore decided to continue supporting the United Nations Education Cannot Wait (ECW) fund, which is committed to providing access to education in emergency situations and protracted crises. For the 2025–28 period, the Federal Council approved a contribution of CHF 33.3 million to the ECW, which Switzerland has supported with CHF 40 million since 2019.

Ignazio Cassis discusses Ukraine's nuclear facilities with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi

12.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi in Bern on 12 June 2024. The discussions focused on the safety of Ukraine's nuclear facilities and Switzerland's support for the IAEA's work in Ukraine. The meeting is part of a series of high-level exchanges with the IAEA, and underscores the importance that Switzerland attaches to nuclear safety and security and to the IAEA as a whole, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine.

Swiss president meets Portugal’s president and prime minister

12.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
President Viola Amherd met Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro on Wednesday, 12 June. The talks in Bern focused on the countries’ close bilateral relations, European policy, the upcoming summit on peace in Ukraine and cooperation between Switzerland and Portugal at multilateral level.

Presentation of credentials

11.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present credentials

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to attend third Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin

10.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland has been supporting the recovery and reconstruction process in Ukraine since the start of the war. In line with this commitment, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will attend the third Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Berlin on 11 and 12 June 2024, following on from the URCs in Lugano (2022) and London (2023). The Berlin conference will focus, among other things, on private sector involvement, social aspects and the promotion of local and regional development.

Summit on Peace in Ukraine: state of preparations and security measures

10.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
90 states and organisations have so far registered to attend the summit on peace in Ukraine at the Bürgenstock (NW) on 15/16 June. The aim of the high-level meeting of heads of state and government is to develop a common understanding for a possible path towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. This will then form the basis for a peace process. On 10 June, President Viola Amherd, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Nidwalden Cantonal Councillor Karin Kayser-Frutschi, together with Stephan Grieder, head of operations and chief of the Nidwalden Cantonal Police, and Major General Daniel Keller, Commander of Territorial Division 2, gave a briefing on the state of preparations and security measures.

Switzerland supporting Ukraine in digitalisation and e-governance

07.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 7 June, the Federal Council decided to continue supporting Ukraine in the areas of digitalisation and e-governance, approving CHF 58.7 million for this purpose over the next four years. Switzerland is thus promoting democratic reforms in Ukraine through digitalisation and at the same time increasing the transparency of state-provided services. Both areas are of crucial importance for Ukraine to rebuild.

Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Bürgenstock: Confederation to contribute to security costs

07.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
The Summit on Peace in Ukraine will take place on 15 and 16 June 2024 at the Bürgenstock resort in the canton of Nidwalden. A major security operation is in place to ensure the safety of the event and those attending. At its meeting on 7 June 2024, the Federal Council decided to consider the summit an 'extraordinary event'. This means that the Confederation will contribute to the security costs borne by the canton of Nidwalden.

David Grichting appointed head of the FDFA's Directorate for Resources DR

07.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council appointed David Grichting as the new head of the Directorate for Resources (DR) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in its meeting on 7 June 2024. David Grichting currently heads the FDFA’s Consular Directorate (CD). He will take up his new post on 1 January 2025 succeeding to Tania Cavassini, who has been appointed ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco by the Federal Council. The FDFA will appoint a selection committee to to evaluate candidates to succeed David Grichting.

Erika Schläppi elected to UN Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women

07.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Erika Schläppi of Switzerland has been elected to an initial maiden term on the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women for 2025–28. She will be the second Swiss woman to serve in this capacity.

Switzerland elected to ECOSOC for 2025–26 term

07.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
After 2010, 2014 and 2019, Switzerland has been elected for the fourth time to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2025–26 term. ECOSOC is one of the UN's main bodies in the field of sustainable development.

«The SDC wants to remain involved in fragile states, even in difficult situations.»

30.09.2013 — Article DEZA

The 2013 Annual Development Cooperation Conference of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) took place in Lugano on 27 September under the banner «A fragile world – young people’s perspectives». Speaking after the conference, SDC Director-General Martin Dahinden assesses the results, explains the increased involvement of the SDC in fragile contexts, illustrates the challenges faced by staff in such regions, and gives an account of his own personal experiences in unstable countries and regions.

Child soldiers – a global problem and a war crime

26.09.2013 — Article DEZA

According to the UN definition, child soldiers are persons under the age of 18 who participate in an armed conflict either directly or indirectly as members of an armed force or group. Children of both sexes serve not only as combatants but also as cooks, guards, porters or messengers and may be deployed on suicide missions. Girls are often sexually abused or victims of forced marriages.

«I only do things with value and meaning»

26.09.2013 — Article DEZA

Interview with former child soldier John Kon Kelei from South Sudan

More than 300,000 boys and girls under the age of 18 are involved in more than 14 armed conflicts worldwide. Thirty-year-old John Kon Kelei from South Sudan was once one of them. He was recruited at the age of 4. Kelei, a speaker at the Annual Development Cooperation Conference 2013, was a child soldier for five years in the rebel group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), in Southern Sudan. In a written interview, he describes his experiences and explains what kind of assistance he would like to see for his native country.

«We have created a network of film-makers»

20.09.2013 — Article DEZA

11.08.2013, Locarno

Armenian producer and director Hovhannes Galstyan presented Bonded Parallels at the Locarno Festival last August. This was an opportunity to return to the decisive role played by the SDC in his early career and to the development of Caucasian cinema.

Launch of global «Migration and Development» knowledge management platform

18.09.2013 — Article DEZA

With the launch of the Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development (KNOMAD) in Geneva, researchers from around the world are being called upon to share their knowledge, generate new knowledge and make it accessible to the public. Switzerland provides financial support to this new World Bank instrument and is a member of its steering committee.

Precarious humanitarian situation for Sudanese refugees in Maban, South Sudan

10.09.2013 — Article DEZA

Interview with Lukas Rüst, a member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) who is working as a protection expert in Maban County, South Sudan on sec

Continued fighting in the states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan in the south of Sudan has caused more than 200,000 people to flee to neighbouring South Sudan. Many were forced to leave all of their possessions behind when they fled. Since June 2012, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been providing emergency aid to more than 115,000 people in the north of South Sudan (Upper Nile state). The UNHCR and its partners are offering these displaced people protection in four refugee camps in Maban County. This emergency aid operation is taking place in a very remote region, which makes it very demanding from a logistical perspective. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is supporting this humanitarian operation through multilateral contributions and the secondment of experts. Protection is one of the priorities for the SDC in South Sudan.

Renaissance of the South Caucasian Cinema

14.08.2013 — Article DEZA

Georgian film director Rusudan Pirveli has had the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) for much of her career. Selected for the Open Doors competition of the Locarno International Film Festival she presented her Sleeping Lessons project. Interview.

An Ethiopian heads icipe

09.08.2013 — Article DEZA

Ethiopian national Segenet Kelemu has been appointed Director-General of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Nairobi. The institute, which conducts research on tropical insects to promote development, is funded by a consortium of donors, including the SDC.

The Role of Forests within the Frame of a «Green Economy»

11.07.2013 — Article DEZA

«The traditional Forest Sector is undervalued in numerous Countries»

Discussion with Jürgen Blaser, forest expert at the SDC’s Global Programme on Climate Change, Doctor of Natural Sciences, Graduate Engineer in Forestry from the Zurich Federal Institute of Technology (EPFZ), and Professor of International Forestry at the Bern University of Applied Sciences.

Agreement with Jordan

10.07.2013 — Article DEZA

Switzerland signed on the July 9th 2013, with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan an agreement for humanitarian assistance, technical and financial Cooperation. This agreement will reinforce the ties of friendship between the two countries and will contribute to a deepening of the bilateral relations.

ECOSOC in Geneva: Efficiency and effectiveness in focus

10.07.2013 — Article DEZA

Reform to ensure a more efficient and effective UN development system is one of Switzerland’s main focuses at the annual session of the UN Economic and Social Council in Geneva.

Development of the public and private sectors in Tajikistan

09.07.2013 — Article DEZA

Interview with Nicolas Guigas, deputy director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan

The break-up of the Soviet Union at the end of 1991 had many consequences for the countries of Central Asia. Relations between the regions were severed, internal and international conflicts broke out, and economic growth stagnated. Between 1992 and 1997, Tajikistan sank into a civil war that destroyed most of its limited economic and social infrastructure. Today, almost half of the country's 7.6 million inhabitants live in dire poverty. First active in Tajikistan in the context of humanitarian assistance in 1993, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) set up a Cooperation Office in Dushanbe in 1997. Now it has been promoting economic, political and social stability in Tajikistan for 15 years.