Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Organisation of the FDFA

The FDFA, headed by Ignazio Cassis, determines and coordinates Swiss foreign policy on behalf of the Federal Council. The FDFA consists of the organisational units at head office in Bern and Switzerland’s external network, which includes embassies, consulates, cooperation offices and missions.

Map of Bern with marked locations of the FDFA's head office buildings.
Map of Bern with marked locations of the FDFA's head office buildings (see key). © FDFA

Key

  1. Federal Palace West Wing: General Secretariat, State Secretariat
  2. Federal Palace East Wing: State Secretariat
  3. Bundesgasse: General Secretariat, State Secretariat, Directorate for Resources
  4. Effingerstrasse 43: Consular Directorate, State Secretariat, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
  5. Federal Palace North Wing: Directorate of International Law
  6. Freiburgstrasse: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Directorate for Resources

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) determines and coordinates Swiss foreign policy on behalf of the Federal Council, pursues the set foreign policy objectives, safeguards Switzerland’s national interests and promotes Swiss values. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis took office as head of the FDFA on 1 November 2017.

The FDFA has some 170 representations around the world. This external network includes embassies, consulates, cooperation offices and permanent missions to international organisations.

The FDFA head office in Bern is home to the General Secretariat, State Secretariat and four directorates.

Documents

Last update 11.10.2022

  • Head of the Department Ignazio Cassis

    From member of communal parliament and doctor to federal councillor: the key stages in Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis' career.

  • General Secretariat

    The General Secretariat coordinates business for Parliament and the Federal Council and is responsible for the FDFA's communication and information.

  • State Secretariat

    The State Secretariat implements the Federal Council’s foreign policy in coordination with the other federal departments. This includes European policy, peace and disarmament policy, bilateral relations, and cooperation with international organisations such as the UN and OSCE.

  • Directorates

    Employees at head office and around the world.

Start of page
Swiss representations abroad
Federal Administration online
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA