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Switzerland takes part in meeting of G20 health ministers

19.04.2020 — Press release EDA
On Sunday, 19 April, Switzerland took part in a meeting of G20 health ministers. Discussions focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and addressed in particular the importance of international cooperation and the major role played by the World Health Organization.

Switzerland at IMF and World Bank 2020 virtual Spring Meetings and virtual G20 Finance Ministers Meeting

16.04.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch, representing Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, and Thomas Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will attend the virtual Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank on 16 and 17 April 2020. The main focus of the Meetings, like the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in the run-up to them, is the global management of the effects of the COVID-19 crisis.

Swiss participation in deal to exchange around 40 prisoners in eastern Ukraine

16.04.2020 — Press release EDA
Switzerland welcomes the latest prisoner exchange between Kyiv and the non-government controlled areas of eastern Ukraine which took place on 16 April 2020, three months after the last such large-scale exchange. Swiss diplomats working on behalf of the OSCE were instrumental in preparing the release.

Swiss official development assistance remained stable in 2019

16.04.2020 — Press release EDA
Switzerland allocated CHF 3.074 billion to official development assistance (ODA) in 2019, CHF 42 million more than in the previous year. As a share of gross national income (GNI), Swiss ODA remains stable at 0.44%.

SDC supporting global fight against COVID-19 pandemic

09.04.2020 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is contributing financially and with relief supplies to help overcome the global COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, it is adapting existing programmes by redirecting CHF 56 million of funding. The SDC has also transferred CHF 18 million to international organisations. It continues to deliver relief supplies to affected countries, including protective suits which were dispatched to Italy on 8 April 2020.

Attribution of responsibility for the use of chemical weapons in Syria – Switzerland's position

09.04.2020 — Press release EDA
Switzerland has taken note of the first report of the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which is responsible for identifying the perpetrators in three instances where chemical weapons were used in the Syrian conflict. Switzerland strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons and demands that those responsible for all violations of international law in Syria be held to account.

Switzerland supports meteorological project to benefit developing countries

03.04.2020 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 3 April 2020, the Swiss Federal Council decided that Switzerland would support a new World Meteorological Organization (WMO) programme intended to improve the production and transmission of meteorological information so that authorities and people can better protect themselves from extreme weather events. The programme will provide UN agencies and humanitarian actors with new services for optimising emergency response, especially in the event of hurricanes or flooding in developing countries.

An increasing number of Swiss nationals live abroad

31.03.2020 — Press release EDA
At the end of 2019, more than one in ten Swiss nationals lived abroad. Almost two thirds lived in Europe, notably in France. Their number continued to increase, both among the young and old. Overall, the share of women remained greater than that of men, according to the results of the statistics on the Swiss abroad from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

FDFA launches extensive repatriation action - first flights to Costa Rica and Colombia underway

23.03.2020 — Press release EDA
The FDFA has launched an unprecedented repatriation action. Yesterday the first flight left Switzerland for Costa Rica. An Airbus A-340 of the airline "Edelweiss" is currently on its way to Colombia. In the coming weeks the FDFA is planning dozens of additional flights to Latin America, Asia and Africa.

The FDFA brings Swiss tourists back from Latin America

21.03.2020 — Press release EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is planning the organised return of Swiss tourists from Latin America in cooperation with the airline Edelweiss. Two charter flights are planned for next Tuesday and Wednesday, 24-25 March 2020. They should bring back to Switzerland around 630 blocked persons from Peru and Colombia.

Swiss travellers abroad should register on the "Travel Admin App”

19.03.2020 — Press release EDA
Earlier this week, the Federal Council called on Swiss travellers to return home quickly. In order to better support those who are still blocked abroad, they should register on the "Travel Admin App" of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.

New Swiss representative at the World Bank Group

13.03.2020 — Press release EDA
On 13 March the Federal Council nominated Dominique Favre as Switzerland’s new representative at the World Bank Group in Washington. It has also conferred on him the title of ambassador. Dominque Favre will serve as Alternate Executive Director of the Swiss-led constituency from the autumn, before assuming the role of Executive Director in the period 2022-2024.

Media (2609)

Switzerland’s priorities at the 65th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations

30.06.2010 — Press release EDA
Today, the Federal Council approved Switzerland’s priorities at the 65th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, which will be presided over by Joseph Deiss. These objectives will soon be the subject of consultation with the foreign policy committees of the Swiss Parliament.

Interim report on success in achieving Millennium Development Goals

30.06.2010 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 30 June the Federal Council approved the Confederation’s interim report for 2010 on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The re-port is fundamentally positive on Switzerland’s contribution to achieving the Goals and notably shows, with numerous examples, what has been accom-plished in such areas as water, health and education.

Significant deepening of bilateral relationships between Switzerland and China

29.06.2010 — Press release EDA
At the end of her official working visit to China, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and Yang Jiechi, the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, opened the first political dialogue meeting of high-ranking officials. For Switzerland and China, this is an important milestone on the road to intensifying their bilateral relationships. Earlier, the Head of the FDFA met with China's first Vice-Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing and also visited the wandering exhibition "Einstein 2010 – 2012". Her visit to China kicked off with an appearance at the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai, where Switzerland is represented with a pavilion that has attracted much attention.

Human rights dialogue between Switzerland and Tajikistan

22.06.2010 — Press release EDA
The first round of the Human Rights Dialogue between Switzerland and Tajikistan took place on 22 June 2010 in Dushanbe. The dialogue was officially launched by Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey during her working visit to Central Asia in October 2009. The talks focused on a discussion of a number of human rights themes and the possibility of deepening the dialogue through specific projects.

Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey to make an official working visit to China

18.06.2010 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will make an official working visit to China from 27-29 June 2010.

Swiss hostage in Chad freed

16.06.2010 — Press release EDA
The FDFA is relieved to hear about the release of a Swiss member of the British NGO, Oxfam, who was kidnapped on 6 June 2010 in Chad.

Swiss citizen in the Philippines freed

16.06.2010 — Press release EDA
The FDFA is relieved to hear the news of the release by Philippine security forces of a Swiss-Philippine dual citizen who had been held captive since 4 April 2010.

Official visit by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Nika Gilauri

15.06.2010 — Press release EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation and head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA), Doris Leuthard, and the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Micheline Calmy-Rey, today received the Prime Minister of Georgia, Nika Gilauri, in Bern. The meetings covered bilateral relations and international issues such as the situation in the Southern Caucasus. At the end of the meeting with President Leuthard, a double taxation agreement was signed between the two countries.

Official visit by Mirko Cvetkovic, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia

14.06.2010 — Press release EDA
Doris Leuthard, President of the Swiss Confederation, today received the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Mirko Cvetkovic at the Lohn Residence at Kehrsatz. The meetings focussed on bilateral relations, cooperation within the international financial institutions and the situation in the western Balkans.

Max Göldi returns to Switzerland

13.06.2010 — Press release EDA
Swiss citizen Max Göldi, who has been detained in Libya for almost two years and was released from prison in Tripolis on 10 June 2010 after four months’ imprisonment, returned to Switzerland last night. He was flown out of Libya late on Sunday evening. “We are relieved and share in the joy of Max Göldi and his family”, emphasized Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA. At the same time, she thanked Spain and Germany for their services as mediators.

Joseph Deiss elected President of the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly

11.06.2010 — Press release EDA
Today in New York, the United Nations General Assembly has elected by acclamation Joseph Deiss to the office of President of the 65th Session of the General Assembly. The President of the Swiss Confederation, Doris Leuthard, has congratulated Joseph Deiss in writing on behalf of the Federal Council, welcoming the election as a great honour for Switzerland. Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, speaking in New York, regards the election as a strong signal of the international community’s recognition of Switzerland’s commitment to the United Nations.

Switzerland supports Hungary’s fight against the serious threat of floods

08.06.2010 — Press release EDA
Hungary is getting prepared to face a major risk of flooding in the north of the country. The Danube and the Tisza are threatening to overflow their banks towards the middle of next week. To cope with this threat, the Hungarian government has requested the aid of its European partners. Switzerland will deliver 500,000 bags of sand and dispatch to the site three experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit.

Other news (297)

Official opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel

04.09.2020 — EDA
Camorino, 04.09.2020 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony "Ceneri2020" - Check against delivery

Passaggio di testimone tra generazioni (de-fr-it)

25.08.2020 — EDA
Bern, 25.08.2020: Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the retirement of the ambassadors and the welcoming of the young diplomats who are taking up their posts in the service of the FDFA. Check against delivery.

75 years of the United Nations (fr)

26.06.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 26.06.2020: Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter - Check against delivery

Opening of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council (fr)

24.02.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 24.02.2020 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

SDC Newsletter: Africa, CO2 reduction and WEF

29.01.2020 — DEZA
The FDFA has showcased some innovative technology at the 50th WEF, which could reduce global CO2 emissions by millions of tonnes per year. The SDC undertakes a range of projects in the construction industry, working in cooperation with academia and the private sector. The aim of these projects, which are located in emerging economies, is to tackle global warming effectively.

Discover the world with the FDFA and with peace mind

17.01.2020 — Article EDA
Just what is the perfect trip abroad? And where would it take you? Swiss travellers have different needs and expectations – some prefer to go on their own, others would rather choose an organised tour. It doesn't matter if you're a backpacker or a jet-setter: the FDFA provides a wide range of services for anyone who wants to travel abroad.

Honeyland Oscar nominee

14.01.2020 — Article DEZA
Honeyland has been nominated for an Oscar in the categories Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary. The film’s hero, Hatidze Muratova, champions environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources. She was discovered through the Nature Conservation Programme launched by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Switzerland and Italy reach an agreement on Campione d'Italia

20.12.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 20 December 2019, the Federal Council approved an exchange of notes between Switzerland and Italy regarding the change of the customs status of the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia. This exchange of notes is necessary to ensure legal certainty and facilitates the transition of Campione d'Italia into the European Union's customs territory, scheduled for 1 January 2020.

Third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation

19.12.2019 — EDA
On 16 and 17 December 2019 a third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee, supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation on the basic principles for a mechanism of customs administration and monitoring of trade in goods, signed on 9 November 2011, took place in Bern.

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brings together actors committed to finding shared solutions

17.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened the Global Refugee Forum together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The purpose of the forum, which takes place on 17 and 18 December at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, is to find shared solutions to meet the needs of refugees and their host communities.

National human rights institution to be established in Switzerland

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council approved the proposal to establish a national human rights institution (NHRI). The Federal Council has thereby strengthened its constitutionally enshrined commitment to human rights. With the model of a public corporation, it takes into account the results of the consultation procedure. The NHRI will be independent, include members from across society and receive an annual financial support from the Confederation.

Federal Council extends freeze on assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council decided to extend for one year the preventive freeze on the assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine. The purpose of this decision is to support the judicial cooperation between Switzerland and these two states.

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